Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area is located in Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, and is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is characterized by a combination of natural landscapes and cultural heritage, with majestic mountain ranges, lush vegetation, and numerous Buddhist and Taoist cultural relics, known as the "First Wonder Mountain of Kyoto". The scenic area covers an area of approximately 26 square kilometers, with a large altitude difference, and the highest point is 1,030 meters above sea level. The buildings in the scenic area are well-arranged, with dozens of religious buildings such as ancient temples and Taoist temples, among which the more famous ones are Pantao Palace, Shengmu Palace, and Zhenwu Temple. The architectural style integrates the characteristics of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with high historical and cultural value.
History and Culture
Shenglian Mountain has a profound historical and cultural heritage, dating back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism began to spread here, and a series of Buddhist temples were built, with increasing incense. In the Ming Dynasty, Taoist culture also took root here, and Buddhism and Taoism coexisted harmoniously, forming a unique religious and cultural landscape.
The Ming and Qing dynasties were the heyday of the development of religious culture in Shenglian Mountain. Many Taoist temples and temples were successively built, attracting a large number of believers and tourists. Most of the existing buildings retain the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as Zhenwu Temple and Shengmu Palace. These buildings are not only places for religious activities but also important physical materials for studying ancient architectural art and religious culture.
In modern times, although Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area has gone through vicissitudes, most of the buildings and cultural relics have been preserved. Today, the scenic area has become an important window for displaying traditional Chinese religious culture and natural landscapes, attracting many tourists every year to visit and explore the footprints of history and culture.
Main Attractions
Zhenwu Temple
Zhenwu Temple is one of the important attractions in Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area, located in the middle of Shenglian Mountain. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and is a typical Taoist building. The temple is built according to the mountain, with a rigorous layout, and the main buildings include the main hall and auxiliary halls. The hall enshrines Taoist gods such as Zhenwu the Great, with exquisite sculptures and lifelike images. The temple preserves a large number of inscriptions and plaques, which are of great significance for the study of Taoist culture and history.
Shengmu Palace
Shengmu Palace is located on the north side of Shenglian Mountain. It is a temple dedicated to the Taoist Holy Mother, also built in the Ming Dynasty. The architectural style is simple and elegant, and the courtyard is quiet. Shengmu Palace is mainly composed of Shengmu Hall, mountain gate, and other buildings. The Holy Mother statue in the hall is solemn and kind, attracting many believers to pray for children. Surrounded by green trees, the palace has a pleasant scenery, making it a good place for tourists to rest and experience Taoist culture.
Pantao Palace
Pantao Palace is located on the south side of Shenglian Mountain and is a complex of buildings integrating Buddhism and Taoism. The main buildings in the palace include the Mahavira Hall and Pantao Hall. The Mahavira Hall enshrines Buddhist gods such as Sakyamuni, while the Pantao Hall enshrines Taoist immortals such as the Queen Mother of the West, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism here. With a long history and exquisite architecture, Pantao Palace is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and is one of the must-visit attractions for tourists.
Twenty-Eight Flights
The Twenty-Eight Flights is an important attraction combining natural and cultural landscapes in Shenglian Mountain. It is a stone step road built along the mountain, with a total of 28 flights, each with several steps, and a total length of about 1.5 kilometers. The stone step road is steep and dangerous, like a giant dragon coiling in the mountains. Viewing platforms are set up along the way, allowing tourists to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Shenglian Mountain during the climbing process and feel the uncanny workmanship of nature and the wisdom of the ancients.
Delicacies
Fangshan Mopan Persimmon
Fangshan Mopan Persimmon is one of the characteristic delicacies around Shenglian Mountain, named for its fruit shape resembling a millstone. This persimmon is large, sweet, with delicate flesh, juicy, and refreshing, rich in vitamins and minerals, and has high nutritional value. Autumn is the harvest season for Mopan persimmons every year. Tourists can pick and taste them in the orchards around the scenic area or buy them to take home.
Fangshan Toon
Fangshan Toon is also a famous local specialty, known for its strong aroma and fresh and tender taste. Toon can be stir-fried, cold-mixed, pickled, etc., with various practices and delicious flavors. Restaurants around the scenic area will launch various dishes made from toon, such as toon scrambled eggs and toon mixed with tofu, which are deeply loved by tourists. Spring is the best season to taste fresh toon.
Farmhouse Cuisine
Around Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area, there are many farmhouse restaurants providing authentic farmhouse cuisine. Farmhouse cuisine uses locally produced vegetables and meats as raw materials, with simple and plain cooking methods, retaining the original flavor of the ingredients. Common farmhouse dishes include firewood chicken stewed with mushrooms, Kuadun fish, fried wild vegetables, etc. These dishes are not only delicious but also affordable, allowing tourists to feel the strong local atmosphere.
Tickets
The ticket price is 60 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "圣莲山" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online. As of July 1, 2025, you need to follow the public account first, and the online ticket purchase option will appear in the service options. You will get a mini-program QR code, and you can purchase tickets online after identifying or scanning the QR code.
Opening Hours
Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area is open throughout the year from 8:00 to 17:00. The scenic area may be adjusted appropriately according to the season and actual situation, and the specific opening hours shall be subject to the daily announcement of the scenic area. It is recommended that tourists consult the latest opening time information through the official website or telephone of the scenic area before going to the scenic area to avoid affecting the travel itinerary.
Tour Route
It is recommended that tourists choose the following tour route: after entering from the scenic area gate, first visit Pantao Palace to feel the integration of Buddhist and Taoist cultures; then climb along the Twenty-Eight Flights to enjoy the natural landscapes and cultural relics along the way; after reaching the top of the mountain, visit Zhenwu Temple and Shengmu Palace to understand Taoist culture; then go to the viewing platform to overlook the whole picture of Shenglian Mountain; finally, return along the mountain road and can visit other small attractions on the way. The entire tour route takes about 3-4 hours, and tourists can adjust it appropriately according to their physical strength and time.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, you can go via Lianshi West Road and National Highway 108, with a total distance of about 80 kilometers and a driving time of 1.5-2 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot, which is convenient for self-driving tourists to park their vehicles.
- Public Transport: Take Bus No. 21 in Fangshan District and get off at Shenglian Mountain Station to reach the gate of the scenic area. There are few bus trips, so it is recommended to check the departure time in advance.
- Tourist Special Line: There are tourist special line buses to Shenglian Mountain Scenic Area in some tourist distribution centers in downtown Beijing. Tourists can pay attention to relevant information and choose appropriate special line buses to go.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Zhenwu Temple: An important Taoist building in Shenglian Mountain, with a long history and exquisite architecture, preserving a large number of inscriptions and plaques, and is an important place to understand Taoist culture.
- Twenty-Eight Flights: A unique stone step road landscape, about 1.5 kilometers in length, steep and dangerous, with beautiful scenery along the way, and an excellent place to experience the fun of mountain climbing and enjoy natural landscapes.
- Shengmu Palace: A temple dedicated to the Taoist Holy Mother, with simple and elegant architectural style and a quiet courtyard, attracting many believers to pray, and the surrounding natural scenery is pleasant.
- Pantao Palace: A complex of buildings integrating Buddhism and Taoism, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of the two religions here, with exquisite architecture and high historical and cultural value, and is one of the landmark attractions of the scenic area.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and sportswear for easy mountain climbing and sightseeing.
- Carry enough drinking water and an appropriate amount of snacks, as there are few sales points in the scenic area.
- Pay attention to sun protection in summer, apply sunscreen, and wear a sun hat and sunglasses; pay attention to keeping warm in winter and wear thick clothes.
- Understand the tour route and attraction distribution of the scenic area in advance and arrange the time reasonably.
- Abide by the regulations and order of the scenic area, care for cultural relics and the environment, and do not litter.
Notes
- Pay attention to safety during mountain climbing, follow the safety tips of the scenic area, and do not climb dangerous areas.
- Some sections in the scenic area are steep, so the elderly and children need to be accompanied by family members when visiting.
- Respect religious culture and customs, keep quiet when visiting religious buildings, and do not take photos or make noise at will.
- In case of bad weather, the scenic area may temporarily close some attractions or areas, and tourists need to follow the arrangements of the scenic area staff.
- Take good care of your personal belongings to avoid loss or damage.