Baqi Cave Scenic Area is located in Tanzhe Temple Town, Mentougou District, Beijing. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Situated at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, it is approximately 50 kilometers from the city center, covering a total area of about 10 square kilometers, with the cave area itself spanning around 20,000 square meters. The core feature of Baqi Cave is its underground karst landscape. With a vertical depth of 135 meters and a total cave passage length of 1,350 meters, it is the deepest vertical cave in the Beijing area. Inside the cave, there are various karst formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and stone curtains. It also boasts unique attractions like China's first underground high-speed slide and an in-cave Avalokitesvara statue, making it a comprehensive scenic area integrating natural wonders, cultural heritage, and recreational activities.
History and Culture
The formation of Baqi Cave dates back to the Ordovician period, approximately 450 million years ago. The cave developed in the limestone strata of the Middle Ordovician Majiagou Formation, shaped by long-term dissolution and deposition of groundwater. Ancient stone inscriptions found inside the cave indicate that Buddhist monks were already practicing here during the Tang Dynasty. There used to be a "Great Compassion Temple" at the cave entrance, which was rebuilt during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Some stone inscriptions from that period still remain at the site.
The name "Baqi" (Eight Wonders) comes from the eight distinctive landscapes inside the cave: the giant folded "8"-shaped geological wonder, the fissure-style cave entrance, the in-cave Avalokitesvara statue, the underground galaxy, the natural stone Great Wall, the dripping lotus, the crescent moon pool, and the deep pool reflecting the moon. These landscapes combine natural geological marvels with historical and cultural imprints. For example, the Avalokitesvara statue, estimated to be from the Liao Dynasty, stands about 9 meters tall and is a rare Buddhist carving inside a cave in the Beijing area.
In modern times, Baqi Cave was used as a military facility. It was officially developed into a tourist attraction in 2001. During the development process, a large number of fragments of ancient daily-use items were discovered, further confirming the long history of human activity in this area.
Main Attractions
Folded "8"-Shaped Geological Wonder
Located at the entrance of the cave, this is the most representative geological landscape of Baqi Cave. The rock layers formed a natural "8"-shaped fold due to geological movements, about 30 meters high and 20 meters wide. This is a rare geological phenomenon in Chinese caves and is known as a "geological wonder" by geologists. It serves as an important physical specimen for studying the geological structure of northern China.
Underground High-Speed Slide
Built in the middle section of the cave, it is the first underground cave slide in China, with a total length of 300 meters and a drop of 50 meters. Made of granite, the slide is designed for a maximum speed of 30 kilometers per hour. Visitors can ride special sleds to quickly traverse the cave, experiencing the thrill of speeding through an underground river. It is one of the most popular entertainment activities in the scenic area.
In-Cave Avalokitesvara Statue
Situated deep inside the cave, this 9-meter-tall statue combines natural stalactites with artificial carving and is believed to date back to the Liao Dynasty. The statue depicts a serene Avalokitesvara wearing a cassock, surrounded by natural stalagmites, creating a scene of "all immortals paying homage to the Buddha." There is an incense burner in front of the statue, and it is still visited by believers today. It is a rare example of Buddhist cultural heritage inside a cave in the Beijing area.
Underground Galaxy
An underground river about 100 meters long runs through the cave. The water is crystal clear and contains a large amount of calcium carbonate, which shimmers like a galaxy under the lighting. The deepest part of the river is 8 meters. Visitors can enjoy the view from an observation platform. In summer, the water temperature remains at 16-18°C, providing a cool and pleasant experience.
Natural Stone Great Wall
A natural barrier formed by a group of stalactites and stalagmites about 15 meters high and 50 meters long. It is named after its resemblance to the beacon towers of the Great Wall. The stone formations are layered and well-defined, the result of tens of thousands of years of water deposition, showcasing the magical process of cave geological evolution.
Culinary Delights
Baqi Cave Farmhouse Cuisine
There are many farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area, specializing in Mentougou's characteristic wild mountain vegetables, free-range chicken, and reservoir fish. Recommended dishes include deep-fried prickly ash buds (made from fresh spring buds, crispy outside and tender inside), braised reservoir fish (using wild carp from Zhaitang Reservoir, with fresh and tender meat), and Mentougou braised pork (cooked with local black pork, fatty but not greasy). The average consumption per person is about 60-80 yuan.
Vegetarian Cuisine at Tanzhe Temple
About 5 kilometers from the scenic area, the vegetarian cuisine at Tanzhe Temple is well-known for its light and healthy style. Recommended items include the "Three Treasures of Tanzhe" (vegetarian abalone, vegetarian sea cucumber, vegetarian shark fin), Arhat's Delight (cooked with 18 kinds of vegetables and mushrooms), and tofu with Chinese toon (made with toon grown in the temple). The average cost per person is 50-80 yuan, suitable for Buddhist culture enthusiasts and vegetarians.
Mentougou Specialty Snacks
Visitors can also try local specialties such as Jingbai pears (a Mentougou specialty available in September, juicy and sweet), Miaofeng Mountain rose cakes (made with rose petals, sweet and delicious), and Scutellaria baicalensis tea (known for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, a specialty of Mentougou's mountainous areas). There are specialty stalls at the entrance of the scenic area. A box of Jingbai pears costs about 50 yuan, and each rose cake is 10 yuan.
Tickets
The ticket price is 45 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "八奇洞景区" to get the latest updates. As of June 29, 2025, online ticket purchasing is not available on this public account.
Opening Hours
Baqi Cave Scenic Area is open throughout the year from 8:30 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). During summer (June to August), due to the cool temperature inside the cave, the opening hours are extended to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00). In winter (November to February), the cave closes at 16:30. Opening hours remain the same during legal holidays. For special events such as the Spring Festival temple fair, the opening time is advanced to 8:00. Please check the official announcements for specific details.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Scenic Area Entrance → Folded "8"-Shaped Wonder → Fissure-Style Cave Entrance → Natural Stone Great Wall → Underground Galaxy → In-Cave Avalokitesvara Statue → Dripping Lotus → Crescent Moon Pool → Underground Slide → Exit. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours. If you plan to experience the slide, it is recommended to arrange it as the last part of your itinerary. There are many steps inside the cave, so wearing non-slip shoes is advised. The total walking distance is about 800 meters with an elevation difference of about 100 meters. It is cooler inside the cave in summer, so bringing a light jacket is recommended.
Transportation
- By Bus: Take Subway Line 1 to Pingguoyuan Station, then transfer to Bus No. 931 or M29 and get off at Lujiatan Station. It's about a 1.5-kilometer walk to the scenic area. Alternatively, you can take the tourist shuttle bus (from Pingguoyuan Subway Station to Baqi Cave), which departs daily at 9:00, 10:30, 13:00, and 15:00, with a fare of 15 yuan per person.
- By Self-Driving: From the city center, you can drive via Fushi Road → Shidan Road → Tanzhe Temple Town, following the road signs. Alternatively, take the West Sixth Ring Road → Junzhuang Exit → National Highway 109 → Tanzhe Temple Town. The whole journey is about 50 kilometers and takes about 1.5 hours. The scenic area parking lot covers 5,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 200 vehicles, with a charge of 10 yuan per vehicle.
Must-See Attractions
- Folded "8"-Shaped Geological Wonder: A natural rock formation about 30 meters high and 20 meters wide, rare in Chinese caves and a living textbook for geological science education.
- Underground High-Speed Slide: The first underground cave slide in China, 300 meters long with a 50-meter drop, offering an exciting experience of speeding through the underground at 30 kilometers per hour.
- In-Cave Avalokitesvara Statue: A 9-meter-tall Liao Dynasty stone carving, a rare example of Buddhist art inside a cave in the Beijing area, combining historical and natural beauty.
- Underground Galaxy: A 100-meter-long underground river shimmering under the lights, with a summer water temperature of 16-18°C, providing a cool underground experience.
Tour Tips
- Recommended visiting time: 2-3 hours. Summer (June to August) is ideal for escaping the heat, while winter offers a relatively warm environment with a constant temperature of 13-15°C.
- Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floor can be wet, and there are steps in some areas. Bring a light jacket in summer (the temperature inside is 5-8°C lower than outside), but no extra warm clothing is needed in winter.
- It is more cost-effective to buy the combo ticket (including the slide). The slide requires a separate queue, so it is recommended to experience it during off-peak hours (such as noon).
- Bring drinking water as there are no vendors inside the cave. There is a convenience store at the entrance of the scenic area where you can buy snacks and souvenirs.
Precautions
- Smoking and littering are prohibited inside the cave. Please keep the environment clean. Do not touch the stalactites and other geological formations to avoid damage (stalactites grow only about 0.1 mm per year).
- The underground slide is only available for visitors over 1.2 meters tall and under 80 kilograms. Elderly people (over 65), pregnant women, and those with heart conditions are not allowed to use it.
- The lighting inside the cave is dim, so it is recommended to visit in groups and watch your step. Some areas may have water droplets and slippery floors.
- There are no restaurants inside the scenic area. For meals, you need to go to the nearby farmhouse restaurants (there are three within 500 meters of the entrance). It is recommended to make a reservation in advance during peak seasons to avoid waiting.
- In case of emergencies (such as power outages or medical issues), please contact the scenic area staff. Emergency evacuation signs are posted inside the cave.