Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area is located in Jingxing County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. It is a national-level scenic spot and a national 4A-level tourist attraction, renowned for its "wonder, peril, elegance, and seclusion." It enjoys the reputation of "Gathering the marvelous beauty of the Five Great Mountains in one mountain; among all peaks of the Taihang Mountains, only Cangyan stands out." The total area of the scenic area is approximately 63 square kilometers, with the core scenic area covering 14 square kilometers. Here, the mountain terrain is steep, with jagged rocks, dense vegetation, and ancient temples hidden deep away. Among them, the ancient architectural complex centered on Fuqing Temple is the most famous. These buildings are mostly constructed in accordance with the mountain terrain—some are built on cliffs, while others are hidden in dense forests—embodying the perfect integration of ancient architecture and natural landscapes. The scenic area currently has 1 national key cultural relics protection unit (Fuqing Temple) and multiple provincial-level cultural relics protection units, boasting abundant natural and cultural landscape resources.
History and Culture
Cangyan Mountain has a profound historical and cultural heritage, with a long-standing Buddhist culture. Fuqing Temple is the core carrier of Cangyan Mountain's history and culture. According to historical records, Fuqing Temple was founded in the Sui Dynasty, initially named "Xingshan Temple." It is said to have been built when Princess Nanyang, the daughter of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, became a nun here to practice Buddhism. In the Song Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt and renamed "Fuqing Temple." Since then, it has been repaired and expanded in successive dynasties, forming the large-scale ancient building complex as it is today.
The legend of Princess Nanyang adds a strong humanistic color to Cangyan Mountain. It is said that Princess Nanyang, dissatisfied with the wars at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the court disputes, came to Cangyan Mountain, shaved her hair to become a nun with the religious name "Miaoshan," practiced Buddhism devoutly here, and widely performed good deeds, thus being deeply loved by the local people. Her story has been widely spread among the people, making Cangyan Mountain a sacred place for people to pray for blessings. In addition, the ancient building complex of Cangyan Mountain not only has high architectural and artistic value but also reflects the religious culture, social life, and other aspects of different historical periods, serving as important material materials for studying ancient architecture and Buddhist culture.
Main Attractions
Fuqing Temple
Fuqing Temple is the core attraction of Cangyan Mountain, located between the cliffs on the south side of the main peak of Cangyan Mountain. The temple covers an area of approximately 28,000 square meters, with a construction area of about 3,000 square meters. The main buildings include the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Bridge Tower Hall, Great Buddha Hall, and Princess Hall. Among them, the Bridge Tower Hall is the iconic building of Fuqing Temple and one of the three suspended temples in China. It spans across the cliffs between two mountains, with a canyon about 70 meters deep below. The building structure is exquisite and magnificent, with high architectural, artistic, and scientific value.
Bridge Tower Hall
The Bridge Tower Hall was first built in the Sui Dynasty, and the existing building was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. It is a combination of a single-arch stone bridge and a pavilion. The bridge is 15 meters long, 9 meters wide, and the arch is 20 meters high. The pavilion is built on the bridge, with five bays in width, three bays in depth, and a height of about 10 meters. The hall enshrines statues such as Sakyamuni Buddha, and the murals are rich in content and bright in color. Standing on the Bridge Tower Hall, you can overlook the deep valley below and the surrounding peaks, with a very spectacular view.
Princess Hall
The Princess Hall is located in Fuqing Temple and was built to commemorate Princess Nanyang. The hall faces south, covering an area of about 300 square meters, consisting of the main hall, side halls, etc. The main hall enshrines a statue of Princess Nanyang, which has a dignified manner and looks vivid. The murals in the hall depict the life stories and folk legends of Princess Nanyang, with certain artistic value. Every year, many tourists and believers come to worship here, praying for peace and good luck.
White Sandalwood Tree
There are many ancient white sandalwood trees growing in Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area. The most famous one is located in Fuqing Temple, with a history of a thousand years. This white sandalwood tree is more than 20 meters high, with a thick trunk that needs several people to embrace, luxuriant branches and leaves, and evergreen all year round. According to legend, this white sandalwood tree was planted by Princess Nanyang herself, so it is regarded as a "sacred tree" by the local people and is respected and protected by them.
One-Line Sky
One-Line Sky is a natural wonder in Cangyan Mountain, located between two mountains in the scenic area. Here, two mountains confront each other with steep cliffs, forming a narrow passage in the middle that only allows one person to pass sideways. The light in the passage is dim, and when you look up, you can only see a line of sky, hence the name "One-Line Sky." Walking through it makes people feel the uncanny craftsmanship and infinite charm of nature.
Local Cuisine
Jingxing Lahua Noodles
Jingxing Lahua Noodles are a local specialty pasta, named because the noodles are pulled into various patterns during the production process. This kind of noodles has a chewy and smooth taste and can be eaten with various sauces, such as meat sauce and vegetable sauce. In the restaurants around Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area, tourists can taste authentic Jingxing Lahua Noodles and experience the local food culture.
Cangyan Mountain Braised Chicken
Cangyan Mountain Braised Chicken uses locally raised free-range chickens as raw materials, supplemented with various Chinese medicinal materials and seasonings, and braised over low heat. The braised chicken has tender meat, rich soup, and is nutritious, with the effect of nourishing and maintaining health. In the farm restaurants near the scenic area, this dish is one of the most popular delicacies among tourists.
Jingxing New Year Cake
Jingxing New Year Cake is a local traditional snack, made from glutinous rice as the main raw material, added with red dates, red beans and other ingredients, and steamed. The New Year cake has a soft and glutinous taste, sweet and delicious, implying "rising year by year." During festivals, local people will make New Year cakes to eat, and tourists can also taste this specialty snack at the food stalls around the scenic area.
Tickets
As of August 8, 2025, the ticket price is 65 yuan per person. You can search for the official public account "苍岩山风景名胜区" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area are from 8:00 to 17:30 every day (from November to March of the next year in winter, it is from 8:30 to 17:00). The scenic area will appropriately adjust the opening hours according to seasons and holidays. It is recommended that tourists consult the latest opening hours through the official website or phone of the scenic area before traveling to arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Route
A classic tour route is recommended: Enter from the scenic area entrance, first visit the mountain gate and Heavenly King Hall of Fuqing Temple to feel the solemnity of the temple; then go to the Bridge Tower Hall to appreciate this magical suspended building and overlook the beautiful scenery of the deep valley on the bridge; then visit the Princess Hall to learn about the legendary story of Princess Nanyang; after that, walk along the mountain road to enjoy natural and cultural landscapes such as the white sandalwood tree and One-Line Sky; finally leave from another exit of the scenic area. This route is about 5 kilometers in total, and the walking tour time is about 4-5 hours. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and the attractions are concentrated, allowing tourists to fully appreciate the charm of Cangyan Mountain. Tourists can also choose some attractions to visit according to their own interests and physical conditions.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from the urban area of Shijiazhuang, drive west along the Shitai Expressway, get off at Jingxing East Exit, then drive towards Jingxing County, and follow the scenic area signs to reach Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area. The whole journey is about 70 kilometers, and the driving time is about 1.5 hours.
- Bus: Take a bus to Jingxing County at Xiwang Passenger Station in the urban area of Shijiazhuang. After arriving in Jingxing County, transfer to a shuttle bus to Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area. The shuttle bus departs multiple times a day, with a journey of about 1 hour and a fare of about 10 yuan.
- Tourist special line: During the peak tourist season, special tourist buses to Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area will be opened in the urban area of Shijiazhuang. Tourists can take the bus at designated locations. For specific departure times and locations, please consult local travel agencies or tourism departments.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Bridge Tower Hall: One of the three suspended temples in China, spanning a 70-meter-deep canyon. Its exquisite architectural structure and magnificent momentum make it a landmark attraction of Cangyan Mountain that should not be missed.
- Princess Hall: Built to commemorate Princess Nanyang, the hall contains exquisite statues and murals, which contain rich historical and cultural stories and are an important window to understand the human history of Cangyan Mountain.
- White Sandalwood Tree: A thousand-year-old ancient white sandalwood tree with a thick trunk and luxuriant branches and leaves. It is said to have been planted by Princess Nanyang herself, with high ornamental value and historical significance.
- One-Line Sky: A naturally formed narrow passage that only allows one person to pass through. Walking through it allows you to feel the magical charm of nature and is a famous natural wonder of Cangyan Mountain.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 1-2 days for the tour, so that you can fully visit the main attractions in the scenic area and feel the natural and cultural landscapes of Cangyan Mountain.
- There are many mountain roads in the scenic area, and the terrain is steep. Tourists should wear comfortable sports shoes for walking.
- The climate in the mountainous area is changeable, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large. It is recommended that tourists bring a coat in case of need.
- There are multiple rest areas and catering points in the scenic area. Tourists can rest and eat here, but the prices are relatively high. They can also bring their own food and water.
- During the tour, please abide by the regulations of the scenic area, protect the environment, do not litter at will, and do not damage cultural relics and historic sites.
- For tourists with religious beliefs, please respect religious customs and abide by the regulations of the temple when visiting the temple.
Notes
- Some sections in the scenic area are relatively dangerous. Tourists should pay attention to safety when visiting, do not get close to the edge of cliffs, and do not stay or take photos in dangerous areas.
- In summer, there may be heavy rains and other severe convective weather in the mountainous area. Tourists should pay attention to the weather forecast and avoid visiting the scenic area in bad weather conditions.
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area, and it is strictly forbidden to bring flammable, explosive and other dangerous goods into the scenic area.
- Tourists should buy tickets through regular channels and do not trust "black guides" and "scalpers" on the roadside to avoid being cheated.
- Take good care of your personal belongings, especially in crowded places, to prevent loss.
- If you encounter difficulties or emergencies during the tour, you can ask the scenic area staff for help in time. There are multiple help points and emergency phones in the scenic area.