Beigong National Forest Park - Beijing Tourist Attraction

Beigong National Forest Park - Beijing Tourist Attraction
Beigong National Forest Park - Beijing Tourist Attraction

Beigong National Forest Park is located in the northwestern mountainous area of Fengtai District, Beijing, approximately 20 kilometers from the city center. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a national forest park. The park integrates ecological sightseeing, science education, and leisure vacations, featuring forest landscapes, water scenery, and cultural attractions. It boasts a rich variety of plant species and unique karst landforms. Covering a total area of about 9.14 square kilometers, with forested areas accounting for 86% and a forest coverage rate of 95.7%, the park has approximately 5,000 square meters of buildings, including pavilions, terraces, and leisure squares.

Historical Culture

The area where Beigong National Forest Park is located has a long history, once serving as a royal hunting ground and an important node on the ancient Beijing-West Road during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The name "Beigong" (Northern Palace) originated from the official government office here during the Ming and Qing periods. Historically, it was a military stronghold guarding the capital and still retains some relics of ancient defensive structures.

Construction of Beigong National Forest Park began in 2002 and was officially opened to the public in 2005. During the construction, traditional Chinese garden art was integrated into the original natural landscape, resulting in numerous imitation ancient buildings such as Fangze Stream and Xiaojiangnan Scenic Area, creating a landscape effect of "man-made yet seemingly natural." The park also focuses on exploring local culture and regularly hosts folk activities to showcase the historical and cultural features of the Beijing-West region.

Main Attractions

Langpo Peak

Langpo Peak, the main peak of the park at 349.8 meters, is the highest point within the park. From the summit, visitors can overlook the entire park and the surrounding mountain ranges, offering a broad view. The mountain is densely covered with vegetation, primarily evergreen trees such as Chinese arborvitae and Chinese pine, interspersed with colorful-leaved trees like smoke trees and maple trees. In autumn, the mountain is ablaze with red leaves, making it an ideal spot for enjoying autumn scenery.

Fangze Stream

Fangze Stream is an approximately 1.5-kilometer-long artificial stream that runs through the middle of the park. On both sides of the stream, a large number of flowers and shrubs have been planted, creating a landscape of "flowers in three seasons and evergreen in four seasons." The stream is equipped with cascading waterfalls, hydrophilic boardwalks and other facilities. In summer, the gurgling water and cool breeze make it a perfect place for a leisurely walk.

Xiaojiangnan

Xiaojiangnan is a distinctive scenic area within the park, covering an area of about 20,000 square meters. Modeled after the gardens of southern China, it features imitation ancient buildings such as pavilions, waterside pavilions, and winding bridges, complemented by lotus ponds and bamboo groves, creating a southern Chinese charm of "small bridges over flowing waters and ancient cottages." The "Misty Rain Tower" is the main building here, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and waters.

Zoo

The zoo in the park covers an area of about 1 hectare and houses a variety of animals such as sika deer, peacocks, and rhesus monkeys. Visitors can observe the living habits of these animals up close, and feeding is allowed in some areas, making it a popular attraction for family outings.

Science Museum

The Science Museum, with a construction area of about 800 square meters, is divided into plant exhibition halls, animal exhibition halls, and ecological exhibition halls. The museum displays specimens of animals and plants and ecological models from the park and surrounding areas, popularizing ecological knowledge through multimedia devices, and serving as an important venue for science education.

Food

Snacks in the Park

There are several snack stalls in the park, mainly offering grilled sausages, corn, ice cream and other snacks priced between 10 and 30 yuan. In addition, there are beverage stalls providing mineral water, fruit juice, etc., to help visitors replenish energy temporarily.

Surrounding Cuisine

There are several characteristic restaurants around the park. About 3 kilometers away, "Beigongyuan Restaurant" specializes in farmhouse cuisine, with signature dishes including stewed free-range chicken and braised fish, with an average per capita consumption of about 50 yuan; "Jingweizhai" offers traditional Beijing cuisine such as Peking duck and noodles with soybean paste, with Peking duck priced at about 158 yuan per duck; "Sichuan and Hunan Cuisine Restaurant" focuses on Sichuan cuisine such as spicy hot pot and boiled fish, with an average per capita consumption of about 60 yuan. In addition, there are several farmhouses in nearby villages where visitors can enjoy fresh farmhouse meals.

Tickets

The ticket price for Beigong National Forest Park is 10 yuan per person. As of June 27, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.

Opening Hours

The park is open from 6:30 to 19:00 during the peak season (April 1st to October 31st) and from 7:00 to 17:00 during the off-season (November 1st to March 31st). From November to March 15th, the Langpo Peak area may be closed for fire prevention, subject to park announcements. During statutory holidays and peak tourist seasons, opening hours may be extended appropriately.

Tour Route

Recommended tour route: Enter from the south gate of the park. First, visit the Science Museum to learn about the park's ecological knowledge; then proceed to Fangze Stream for a leisurely walk along the stream to enjoy the mountain and water scenery; next, head to the Xiaojiangnan Scenic Area to experience the charm of southern Chinese gardens and rest at the Misty Rain Tower; after lunch, visit the zoo to interact with animals; then hike up Langpo Peak to enjoy the panoramic view from the summit; after descending, visit the cherry blossom garden or peach garden (depending on the season) to admire the flowers, and finally exit through the east or south gate. The whole journey is recommended to take 4-5 hours.

Transportation

  • Bus: Take Bus No. 385 or 843 and get off at "Beigong National Forest Park" station.
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 14 to "Zhangguozhuang Station", then transfer to Bus No. 843 or take a taxi, about 8 kilometers away.
  • Self-driving: Navigate to "Beigong National Forest Park". The park has a large parking lot with about 500 parking spaces, and the parking fee is 10 yuan per time.

Must-visit Attractions

  • Langpo Peak: The main peak of the park at 349.8 meters, offering a panoramic view and excellent autumn foliage viewing in autumn.
  • Fangze Stream: A 1.5-kilometer artificial stream with lush flowers on both sides, cool and pleasant in summer.
  • Xiaojiangnan: A 20,000-square-meter southern Chinese garden landscape combining imitation ancient buildings and water features, highly ornamental.
  • Science Museum: An 800-square-meter science venue displaying a wealth of animal and plant specimens, suitable for parent-child science education.

Tour Tips

  • It is recommended to spend 4-5 hours visiting. If you want to enjoy the autumn red leaves, you can extend your visit to a full day.
  • In spring (April-May), you can enjoy cherry blossoms and peach blossoms; in autumn (October-November), it is the best time to view red leaves. It is recommended to arrange your tour focus according to the season.
  • The hiking route to Langpo Peak has a certain slope. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry an appropriate amount of water and snacks.
  • When visiting with children, focus on the zoo and science museum to enhance interactive experiences.

Precautions

  • Smoking and open flames are prohibited in the park. Flammable and explosive items are strictly prohibited from entering the park.
  • Take good care of the plants in the park. Do not pick flowers or fruits, and do not feed the animals without permission.
  • Pay attention to safety when hiking, follow the scenic area signs, and do not enter unopened areas.
  • During peak seasons, there may be a large number of visitors and the parking lot may be full. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours or choose public transportation.
  • Pay attention to sun protection and mosquito repellent in summer. Keep warm when hiking in winter, as some sections of the road may be icy and require caution.