Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area is located in Xihu Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District, Beijing. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and also a key national cultural relics protection unit. The scenic area features the group of Buddhist pagodas from the Liao and Jin dynasties as its core characteristic, and gets its name because the mountain is covered with snow like silver in winter and the pagodas stand in a scattered manner. The total area of the scenic area is about 17 square kilometers, with a forest coverage rate of over 90%, where natural landscapes and cultural relics complement each other.
There are 18 existing Buddhist pagodas from the Liao to Ming dynasties in the scenic area, including 7 from the Liao Dynasty, 5 from the Jin Dynasty, 1 from the Yuan Dynasty, and 5 from the Ming Dynasty. All these pagodas are made of brick and stone, with heights ranging from 10 to 20 meters. They have various shapes, such as multi-eaved style and stupa style, and are important physical materials for studying ancient Chinese Buddhist architecture and carving art.
Historical Culture
The history of Yinshan Pagoda Forest dates back to the Liao Dynasty. At that time, Yinshan had already become a Buddhist sacred place in northern China, with temples such as Fahua Temple built, attracting many monks to practice here. During the Xianyong period of the Liao Dynasty (1065-1074), the construction of Buddhist pagodas began in Yinshan to bury the relics of eminent monks, gradually forming the embryonic form of the pagoda forest.
The Jin Dynasty was the heyday of the development of Yinshan Pagoda Forest. The scale of the temples expanded, and the number of pagodas increased, making the pagoda forest quite large at that time. During the Tianhui period of the Jin Dynasty (1123-1135), Fahua Temple was renamed "Dayansheng Temple" and became one of the imperial temples, further enhancing the status of Yinshan Pagoda Forest.
Although the Yinshan Pagoda Forest underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, its scale was not as grand as during the Liao and Jin dynasties. During the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty (1436-1449), the temple was renamed "Fahua Chan Temple" (Fahua Zen Temple), and some of the pagodas were restored. Today, as one of the larger and well-preserved pagoda forests from the Liao and Jin dynasties remaining in China, the Yinshan Pagoda Forest holds extremely high historical and artistic value.
Main Attractions
Core Area of Yinshan Pagoda Forest
The core area is the main highlight of the scenic area, gathering 18 Buddhist pagodas from the Liao to Ming dynasties. These pagodas are scattered in the valley on the southern foot of Yinshan Mountain. Among them, the multi-eaved pagodas of the Liao Dynasty and the stupa-style pagodas of the Jin Dynasty are the most representative. The pagodas of the Liao Dynasty are mostly octagonal, with exquisite carvings of Buddha statues, flowers and plants on the tower bodies; the pagodas of the Jin Dynasty have a simple shape and concise lines. The pagoda forest is surrounded by mountains and lush forests, which set off the ancient pagodas, forming a unique picture of cultural and natural landscapes.
Site of Fahua Zen Temple
The site of Fahua Zen Temple is located on the west side of the pagoda forest. It was built in the Liao Dynasty and has gone through name changes. The existing relics include the remains of the mountain gate, main hall, side halls, as well as stone tablets and sutra pillars. Among them, the "Stele of Reconstructing Fahua Zen Temple" from the Ming Dynasty records in detail the historical evolution and renovation of the temple, which has important historical value.
Zhuan Yao Pagoda (Waist-turning Pagoda)
Zhuan Yao Pagoda is a unique pagoda in the pagoda forest, located in the northeast of the pagoda forest. It is a stupa-style pagoda built in the Jin Dynasty, about 12 meters high. It is named because of the legend that walking around the pagoda once can keep the body healthy. The base of the pagoda is square, the tower body is in the shape of a stupa, and the top is a phase wheel treasure stupa. The carvings on the tower are simple but show a sense of antiquity.
Chaoyang Cave (Sunrise Cave)
Chaoyang Cave is located on the steep cliff on the east side of Yinshan Mountain. It is a naturally formed stone cave, facing east, hence the name. The cave is about 3 meters wide and 5 meters deep. There were once Buddha statues and stone tablets in the cave, which is said to be a place where ancient monks practiced. Standing outside the cave, you can overlook the pagoda forest and the surrounding mountain forest scenery, with a wide view.
Food
Changping Apples
Changping District is a famous apple-producing area in Beijing, and there are many apple orchards around Yinshan Pagoda Forest. Changping apples have various varieties, such as Red Fuji and Guoguang. The fruits are large, bright in color, crisp and sweet, and rich in vitamins and minerals. The ripening season is from September to October. After visiting the scenic area, tourists can go to the surrounding orchards to pick fresh apples and experience the fun of the countryside.
Iron Pot Braised Free-range Chicken (in surrounding farm stays)
The farm stays around Yinshan Pagoda Forest offer the characteristic dish of iron pot braised free-range chicken. It uses free-range chickens raised locally, with ingredients such as potatoes, corn, and vermicelli, braised slowly in a traditional iron pot. The braised chicken has tender meat, rich soup, and is nutritious, which is a classic dish of local farmers and is loved by tourists.
Fried Wild Vegetables (in surrounding restaurants)
The fried wild vegetables in the surrounding restaurants are made of wild vegetables such as shepherd's purse, purslane, and endive produced in the Yinshan mountain area. They are cleaned and then fried with batter. The fried wild vegetables are crispy outside and tender inside, with a fresh taste, and are rich in dietary fiber and various vitamins, making them a healthy and delicious green food.
Tickets
The ticket price of Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area is 20 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京昌平文旅集团" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area are from 8:00 to 17:00 throughout the year (the closing time is advanced to 16:30 in winter from November 1 to March 31 of the next year). The scenic area stops selling tickets 1 hour before closing. Due to possible snow accumulation in mountainous areas in winter, some sections may be temporarily closed. It is recommended that tourists check the official information of the scenic area before traveling.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, tourists first walk about 1 kilometer along the main road to the site of Fahua Zen Temple, visit the remains of the temple and stone tablets to understand the historical background of Yinshan Pagoda Forest. Then they go to the core area of Yinshan Pagoda Forest to watch the 18 pagodas from the Liao to Ming dynasties up close, and carefully appreciate the architectural style and carving art of the pagodas from different periods. It is recommended to spend 1.5 hours in this area. After that, you can choose to climb the main peak of Yinshan Mountain, passing through Chaoyang Cave on the way to enjoy the mountain scenery. The whole journey is about 2 kilometers, and it takes 1.5 to 2 hours for a round trip. After going down the mountain, return to the entrance of the scenic area. The total recommended visiting time is 4 to 5 hours.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Chang 31 bus from Changping urban area, get off at Yinshan Pagoda Forest Station, and walk about 500 meters to the entrance of the scenic area. The interval of Chang 31 bus is about 30 minutes, and the whole journey takes about 1 hour.
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, drive along Jingzang Expressway (G6) to Changping Xiguan Exit, turn to Jingyin Road (G110) and drive north, then turn to Changchi Road to reach the scenic area parking lot. The parking fee standard of the scenic area is 10 yuan per time for small cars and 20 yuan per time for large cars.
- Tourist special line: There is a tourist special line from Changping District Tourism Distribution Center to Yinshan Pagoda Forest. It departs from Changping Drum Tower at 8:00 am every day and returns from the scenic area at 4:00 pm. The whole journey takes about 1 hour, and the round-trip ticket price is 30 yuan per person.
Must-visit Attractions
- Core Area of Yinshan Pagoda Forest: It gathers 18 Buddhist pagodas from the Liao to Ming dynasties, with heights ranging from 10 to 20 meters and various shapes. It is the core landscape of the scenic area, showing the exquisite skills of ancient Buddhist architecture.
- Site of Fahua Zen Temple: It contains the remains of temples and stone tablets from the Liao to Ming dynasties. The "Stele of Reconstructing Fahua Zen Temple" from the Ming Dynasty records the history of the temple and has important historical value.
- Chaoyang Cave: It is a natural stone cave facing east, from which you can overlook the pagoda forest and mountain forest scenery, and it is an important attraction on the way to climb the mountain.
Travel Suggestions
- There are many mountain roads in the scenic area and some sections are steep. It is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes and sportswear for walking and climbing.
- The temperature in the mountainous area is 3-5℃ lower than that in the urban area, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. It is recommended to bring appropriate clothes according to the season to avoid catching cold.
- There are few catering facilities in the scenic area. You can bring your own drinking water, dry food and fruits, eat in the rest area, and pay attention to keeping the environment clean.
- Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Yinshan Pagoda Forest. In spring, the mountains are full of blooming flowers; in autumn, the forests are dyed in layers of colors, with pleasant scenery.
- If you plan to climb the main peak, it is recommended to bring a hiking stick to reduce leg fatigue and pay attention to distributing your physical strength.
Notes
- Smoking and using open flames are strictly prohibited in the scenic area. Picking plants and damaging cultural relics are forbidden. You must abide by the protection regulations of the scenic area.
- When climbing the mountain, you must take the designated route and must not enter undeveloped areas without authorization to avoid getting lost or having accidents.
- The mountain roads are slippery on rainy days or after snow. When walking, you need to pay attention to safety, walk slowly and hold the handrails on the roadside (some sections are equipped with handrails).
- The mobile phone signal is unstable in some areas of the scenic area. It is recommended to travel with companions, keep in contact and avoid acting alone.
- Tourists with children and the elderly must take good care of them to prevent them from getting lost or having accidents. There are rest chairs in the scenic area where you can rest in due time.
- Abide by the opening hours of the scenic area, do not stay after closing, and ensure a safe return.