Baili Landscape Gallery Scenic Area is located in the northeast of Yanqing District, Beijing, covering areas such as Qianjiadian Town, Sihai Town, and Zhenzhuquan Township. It is about 140 kilometers away from downtown Beijing and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. With the Baihe River as its axis, the scenic area connects numerous natural landscapes and cultural attractions, stretching about 112 Chinese miles in length and covering a total area of 371 square kilometers. Its characteristic lies in integrating various landscapes such as mountains, waters, forests, gorges, valleys, caves, temples, and ancient villages. The ecological environment is excellent, with a vegetation coverage rate of over 85%, making it a rare large-scale natural landscape scenic area in Beijing. There are core attractions like the Silicified Wood National Geopark and Wulong Gorge, as well as several ancient temples and traditional villages. It not only showcases the marvelous craftsmanship of nature but also contains profound historical and cultural heritage, thus being known as the "Little Lijiang River in Northern Beijing".
History and Culture
The area in northeastern Yanqing where Baili Landscape Gallery is located has a long history. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were traces of human activities. Relics such as stone tools and pottery from that period have been found in places like Qianjiadian Town, witnessing the early human settlement and reproduction here.
The ancient villages in the region carry rich folk culture. For example, Huapen Village in Qianjiadian Town and Zhenzhuquan Village in Zhenzhuquan Township have buildings that mostly retain the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Traditional farming methods and festival customs have been passed down from generation to generation in the local area. In addition, ancient temples in the scenic area, such as Chaoyang Temple and Baita Temple, were built in the Ming Dynasty. Although they have undergone renovations, they still retain their original architectural layout and religious cultural elements, serving as important objects for studying the local religious development and architectural art.
In modern times, this place was a rear base during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, leaving many revolutionary sites and heroic deeds, which have added a red cultural connotation to the scenic area. Today, these historical and cultural resources are combined with natural landscapes, forming the unique cultural and tourism charm of Baili Landscape Gallery.
Main Attractions
Silicified Wood National Geopark
Silicified Wood National Geopark is one of the core scenic spots of Baili Landscape Gallery, covering an area of about 226 square kilometers, with the Mesozoic silicified wood group as its main feature. The exposed silicified wood fossils in the park formed 140 million years ago, totaling 57 pieces. The longest one is 15 meters long and about 0.8 meters in diameter, being one of the largest and best-preserved silicified wood groups in northern China. These silicified woods have clear textures and hard textures, truly recording the geological changes and plant evolution in ancient times, and thus have high scientific research and ornamental value. There is also a geological museum in the park, which introduces the formation principle and geological history of silicified wood to visitors through physical specimens and multimedia displays.
Wulong Gorge
Wulong Gorge is located in the lower reaches of the Baihe River, with a total length of about 2 kilometers. On both sides of the gorge are steep cliffs, with the highest reaching over 100 meters. The water of the Baihe River at the bottom of the gorge flows rapidly, forming multiple waterfalls and deep pools. The gorge is full of strange rocks, with landscapes such as "One-Line Sky" and "Black Dragon Pool". Among them, Black Dragon Pool is about 8 meters deep, with clear water, and the cliff walls on both sides are reflected in the water, presenting a spectacular scene. Visitors can hike along the plank road in the gorge, which is about 1200 meters long. Along the way, they can enjoy flying waterfalls, flowing springs, strange mountains and rocks, and feel the steepness and beauty of nature.
Dishuihu
Dishuihu Scenic Area features karst caves and waterfalls, covering an area of about 100 mu. The karst cave is called "Chaoyang Cave", with an area of about 100 square meters. The stalactites in the cave have various shapes, looking like a fairyland under the light. Outside the cave, there is a waterfall about 20 meters high. The water drips from the top of the cliff, resembling a water pot pouring water, hence the name "Dishuihu" (Dripping Pot). A green pool is formed under the waterfall, with trees shading the poolside, creating a quiet environment, making it a good place for leisure and summer resort. There are also small cultural landscapes such as the Dragon King Temple in the scenic area, which complement the natural landscapes.
Chaoyang Temple
Chaoyang Temple is located in Dongdian Village, Qianjiadian Town. It was built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of about 5000 square meters. The temple faces south, with main buildings including the mountain gate, main hall, and side halls. The main hall enshrines statues of Bodhisattvas Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra. The temple has a simple architectural style, with exquisite wood carvings and brick carvings, reflecting the architectural characteristics of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, a traditional temple fair is held in Chaoyang Temple, where villagers from nearby come to pray for blessings, creating a lively atmosphere. It is an important carrier of local folk culture.
Zhenzhuquan (Pearl Spring)
Zhenzhuquan is located in Zhenzhuquan Village, Zhenzhuquan Township. It gets its name because bubbles keep emerging from the spring water, resembling pearls. The spring eye has a diameter of about 1 meter, and the spring water is constantly at a temperature of 13℃, with clear and sweet water containing various minerals. There is a spring-viewing pavilion built beside the spring, where visitors can enjoy the wonderful scene of "pearls" rolling. Zhenzhuquan Village has a unique village layout centered around the spring, with many traditional dwellings retained in the village. Visitors can experience rural life and feel the idyllic scenery here.
Food
Baihe River Fish Feast
Baihe River Fish Feast is a characteristic food around Baili Landscape Gallery, using wild fish from the Baihe River as the main ingredients, including crucian carp, carp, catfish, etc. There are various cooking methods such as braising in sauce, braising in soy sauce, and steaming. Among them, braised Baihe River crucian carp in sauce is the most famous. It is slowly braised with local sauce, making the fish meat tender and flavorful, with a rich soup. It is eaten with corn cakes, having a unique flavor. It is available in many nearby farmhouses, with a table of fish feast costing about 200-300 yuan, suitable for 4-6 people to share.
Yanqing Tofu Feast
Yanqing Tofu Feast is common in towns and villages around Baili Landscape Gallery, using locally produced tofu as the main raw material, matched with various side dishes. A table of tofu feast includes more than a dozen dishes, such as water tofu, fried tofu puffs, tofu balls, etc. The core dish "Huopen Guo (Fire Pot)" is made by stewing tofu, Chinese cabbage, bacon, etc. in a pot heated by charcoal at the bottom, which is warm and cozy. The tofu feast has a light taste and is rich in nutrition, with a per capita consumption of about 50 yuan.
Fried Dough Cakes with Corn Grits Porridge
This is a traditional breakfast loved by local villagers. Fried dough cakes are made of flour, yeast, salt, etc., and after being fried, they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Corn grits porridge is made by boiling corn grits, with a thick texture and a sweet taste. The combination of the two is light and refreshing, which can provide sufficient energy for visitors. It can be tasted in breakfast shops in villages around the scenic area, with reasonable prices: 1 yuan per fried dough cake and 2 yuan per bowl of corn grits porridge.
Tickets
It is open for free, but some attractions in the scenic area require separate charges.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "百里山水画廊" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is open all day, but the opening hours of each attraction inside are different. The opening hours of Silicified Wood National Geopark, Wulong Gorge, and Dishuihu Scenic Area are from 8:00 to 17:30 from April 1 to October 31, and from 8:30 to 16:30 from November 1 to March 31 of the next year; Chaoyang Temple is open from 8:00 to 17:00 from April 1 to October 31, and is not open to the public from November 1 to March 31 of the next year; Zhenzhuquan is a natural landscape and can be visited all day. It is recommended that visitors arrange their time reasonably to avoid missing the opening hours of the attractions.
Tour Routes
One-Day Essence Tour
Depart from downtown Beijing at 8:00 am, arrive at Silicified Wood National Geopark at about 10:30 am, visit the silicified wood fossils and the geological museum, with a visiting time of about 2 hours; have Baihe River Fish Feast at a nearby farmhouse at 12:30 pm. Go to Wulong Gorge at 2:00 pm, hike along the gorge plank road to enjoy waterfalls and deep pools, which takes about 1.5 hours; go to Dishuihu Scenic Area at 3:30 pm to watch the karst cave and waterfall, with a visiting time of about 1 hour; return at 4:30 pm to end the trip.
Two-Day In-Depth Tour
After arriving on the morning of the first day, first visit Silicified Wood National Geopark, and have lunch in Qianjiadian Town at noon; visit Chaoyang Temple in the afternoon to experience the ancient temple culture, then go to Zhenzhuquan Village to watch Zhenzhuquan and experience rural life in the village, and stay at a homestay in Zhenzhuquan Village that night. On the morning of the second day, go to Wulong Gorge, hike there, and have lunch near the gorge at noon; visit Dishuihu Scenic Area in the afternoon, then enjoy the landscape along the Baihe River, and return at around 4:00 pm.
Transportation
- Bus: Take bus No. 919 from Deshengmen, Beijing to Yanqing urban area, then transfer to bus No. Y37 to reach Qianjiadian Town (the core area of Baili Landscape Gallery) directly, with a total journey of about 4 hours. Bus No. 919 operates from 5:30 to 21:00, with a frequency of about 10 minutes per shift; bus No. Y37 operates from 7:00 to 16:00, with 3 shifts a day (7:00, 10:00, 14:00).
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, drive along Beijing-Tibet Expressway (G6) to Yanqing urban area, then drive northeast along Yanliu Road (S309), passing through Sihai Town and Zhenzhuquan Township to reach Qianjiadian Town. The total distance is about 140 kilometers, taking about 2.5 hours. The roads in the scenic area are smooth, with parking areas along the way, and parking is free.
- Tourist special line: During the peak tourist season (April-October), Beijing Tourist Distribution Center has a special tourist line to Baili Landscape Gallery, which departs from Deshengmen at 7:30 am every day and returns at 4:00 pm. The round-trip ticket price is about 100 yuan per person, and you can book in advance on the official platform.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Silicified Wood National Geopark: It has 57 silicified wood fossils from 140 million years ago, being the largest silicified wood group in northern China. The exhibits in the geological museum allow people to have an in-depth understanding of geological history, with high scientific research and ornamental value.
- Wulong Gorge: In the 2-kilometer-long gorge, 100-meter cliffs, rapid water flow, and multiple waterfalls and deep pools form a steep landscape. The 1200-meter-long plank road allows people to experience natural wonders up close.
- Zhenzhuquan: Named for the pearl-like bubbles in the spring, the spring water is constantly at 13℃. The surrounding villages retain traditional styles, allowing people to experience the unique spring resources and rural culture.
Travel Suggestions
- Best travel season: May-October, when the climate is pleasant, vegetation is lush, the Baihe River has sufficient water, and the scenery is the best; in autumn (September-October), the mountains are covered with colorful forests, and the scenery is particularly charming.
- Vehicle preparation: It is recommended that self-driving tourists drive SUVs or vehicles with higher chassis, as some mountain roads have slight undulations; check the vehicle condition in advance to ensure driving safety.
- Catering preparation: Farmhouses in the scenic area are scattered, so it is recommended to check and book in advance; you can bring a small amount of snacks and drinking water for use on the way.
- Photography suggestions: Bring a camera or mobile phone. The texture of silicified wood, the waterfalls in Wulong Gorge, and the bubbles in Zhenzhuquan are all excellent shooting subjects. The shooting effect is better when the light is soft in the morning and evening.
- Accommodation suggestions: If you choose a two-day tour, it is recommended to stay in homestays in Zhenzhuquan Village or Qianjiadian Town, with prices ranging from about 200 to 400 yuan per night, allowing you to experience local rural life.
Matters Needing Attention
- Hiking safety: Some sections of the plank roads in scenic areas such as Wulong Gorge and Dishuihu are steep. You need to wear comfortable sports shoes, pay attention to your steps when walking, and do not deviate from the plank road without permission.
- Environmental protection: Littering is prohibited in the scenic area. Do not pick plants, damage fossils or rocks, and protect the natural ecological environment.
- Weather attention: The weather in mountainous areas is changeable. Check the weather forecast before departure. Pay attention to sun protection and rain protection in summer, and cold protection and anti-slip in winter.
- Respect for folk customs: When visiting ancient temples and villages, respect local religious beliefs and folk customs, do not make loud noises, and do not enter villagers' private houses at will.
- Resource protection: Silicified wood is a precious geological relic. It is strictly forbidden to knock, climb or take away fossil fragments. Violators will be punished.