Baishi Mountain Scenic Area is located in Fenglianggou Village, Baishi Mountain Town, Laiyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province. It is a World Geopark, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national forest park, and a national youth science education base. Situated in the core area of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and adjacent to Xiong'an New Area, the scenic area is named after the abundant white marble on the mountain. It is a renowned mountain summer resort and love holy mountain in China.
The scenic area covers approximately 54 square kilometers, integrating the five characteristics of mountain landscapes: strangeness, grandeur, danger, illusion, and beauty, with "strangeness" as the core. It features China's unique marble peak forest landscape, where strange peaks gather in the peak forest, with steep cliffs and deep valleys, presenting a dangerous and magnificent scene. The strange stones on the peaks have various shapes, and the peak clusters are like a maze, countless in number, with four major characteristics: numerous peaks, steep walls, diverse shapes, and dangerous potential. The Baishi Mountain body is tall and majestic, with peaks standing on the mountain top and in the canyons, showing vigorous and resolute momentum with high peaks and deep valleys. Its "danger" is reflected in thousands of peaks and cliffs like being hacked by knives and axes, with dangerous gullies crisscrossing and huge single-wall height differences.
In summer and autumn, the area above 1,800 meters above sea level is often shrouded in mist, with sea of clouds surging, forming various mysterious and unique celestial phenomena. It is the mountain with the most frequent Buddha's light in northern China. The scenic area is lush in vegetation and rich in wildlife, being one of the three major biodiversity distribution centers in Hebei Province. In spring and autumn, it has the scenery of "one mountain with four seasons". The scenic area connects the "Twelve Sceneries of Baishi" such as "Baishi Clear Clouds, Jiang Taigong Fishing, Bajie Marrying a Wife, Two Heroes Guarding the Mountain, Lingbo Micro-Step, Mountain Alliance Oath, Baishi Rime, Jingxin Flowing Mist, God of Taihang, Three Saints Worshiping Buddha, Immortal Sunning Boots, and Auspicious Clouds Buddha's Light" through the cliff plank road, allowing visitors to easily enjoy changing scenery with each step.
Historical Culture
During the Liao and Song dynasties, Baishi Mountain was the boundary between the two countries. It was also the boundary between nature and humanity, with the Du Ridge dividing Yan and Zhao in the Spring and Autumn Period.
When the Song and Liao dynasties were at war, Yang Liulang (Yang Yanzhao) was responsible for guarding the Three Passes and the passes in northern Hebei today. He visited Chajianling and Baishikou for border patrols many times, leaving behind many legendary stories. Out of respect for the Yang Family Generals, many place names and village names in Laiyuan are related to them, such as Jiaochang, Chajianling, Doujunwan, and Muji Village. To commemorate Yang Liulang, people named the mountain peak resembling a human figure on the west ridge of Baishi Mountain as "Liulang Peak" and the west ridge as "General Ridge".
Main Attractions
Baishi Clear Clouds
The second peak of Baishi Mountain, Yunding, is clear, with an altitude of 2,057 meters. The warm and humid air from the southeast climbs along the foot of the mountain, condenses when encountering cold air, and is blocked by the mountain body and stored in the mountain. Even on sunny days, there are often clouds and mist surrounding it. The landscape of peaks and clouds combined is called "Baishi Clear Clouds". In summer and autumn, with clouds and mist curling, peaks looming, and when the sun shines directly on the clouds, sun rays are often visible.
Two Heroes Guarding the Mountain
There are two side-by-side huge stones on the cliff, gradually peeling off through continuous physical weathering to form the "Two Heroes Stones". It is said that during the Song and Liao dynasties, Yang Liulang and his son guarded three passes including this place, and people named the stone pillars after these two heroes to commemorate the patriotic generals. There is also a hanging stone on the vertical steep wall, hanging halfway up the mountain for hundreds of millions of years without falling. The Two Heroes Stone Glass Plank Road was built in 2014, located on the main tourist route at an altitude of 1,900 meters, with a total length of 95 meters and a width of 2 meters. It is China's first highest, longest, and widest suspended glass plank road.
Shanmeng Platform
Shanmeng Platform is located on a marble isolated peak at an altitude of 1,900 meters. It is named because its shape resembles a heart-shaped symbol of love. The natural huge stone in the center of the platform is built into "Hearts Connected", implying eternal love and unbreakable unity. When couples stand on the platform hand in hand, touch the concentric stone and make a wish, they will stay together. The "Meet at Shanmeng Platform" love-themed cultural activities are also held here.
God of Taihang
The "God of Taihang" is a mountain body with a special shape, independent among the peaks. It is said that people who cultivated Taoism and immortality in Baishi Mountain practiced here, as it is an excellent place to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. After hundreds of millions of years of natural baptism, it still stands, guarding Laiyuan, Baishi Mountain, and Taihang.
Immortal Sunning Boots
It is said that during the Yan and Zhao periods, an enlightened person was attracted by the beauty of Baishi Mountain and stayed to rest. One foot stepped on Baishi Mountain, and the other foot stayed elsewhere, so one boot was left on Baishi Mountain, hence Baishi Mountain is also known as the "Northern Small Baishi Mountain".
Auspicious Cloud Gate
Auspicious Cloud Gate is located beside Auspicious Cloud Peak. In summer when there is much fog, standing on the gatehouse, one can see the white clouds changing variously like thousands of horses galloping in the nine heavens, which is magnificent, hence the name.
Feihu Gorge
It is said that at the end of the Yin and Shang dynasties, a thousand-year-old spirit fox ate ten-thousand-year-old pine cones and obtained the essence of the sun and moon to become an immortal. It could transform into three images: a beautiful young girl, an old woman, and an old man, often showing holiness to help the suffering. This place is named Feihu Gorge because it is said that flying foxes appeared here the most.
Cliff Corridor
The corridor was first built in 2011, with a total length of more than 280 meters, located on the cliff waist at an altitude of more than 1,600 meters with a net height difference of more than 350 meters. The project draws on the construction method of the Bashu ancient plank road and combines modern reinforced concrete construction technology, being scientific, safe, grand, and spectacular, highlighting the "danger" of Baishi Mountain.
Red Birch Forest
Baishi Mountain has lush vegetation, with a forest coverage rate of over 80%. There are 739 species of higher plants, making it one of the three major biodiversity distribution centers in Hebei Province, preserving a large area of primary secondary forest. The red birch forest growing between 1,600 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level is the representative plant of Baishi Mountain.
Cuisine
Deep-Fried Tofu
One of the characteristic foods of Laiyuan, belonging to the "Three Treasures of Laiyuan". It can be tasted in the Shuangxiong Stone Snack City and other places in the scenic area, with a unique taste loved by tourists.
Yellow Rice Fried Cake
Also one of the "Three Treasures of Laiyuan", made from yellow rice, it can be tasted in the snack cities inside and around the scenic area, sweet and soft.
Wild Vegetable Pie
A characteristic pie made from local wild vegetables, one of the "Three Treasures of Laiyuan", which can be purchased and tasted in the relevant catering areas of the scenic area, full of natural flavor.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket (including round-trip cable car ticket) is 265 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "白石山风景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open throughout the year from 08:00 to 18:00, and the latest entry time is 18:00.
Tour Routes
Lazy Essence Line (3-4h)
Take the Xiangyun Cable Car from the East Gate → arrive at Jiucaiyuan (you can choose to take an electric car, fee: 5 yuan) → tour along the 1,900-meter Shuangxiong Stone Line → experience the Shuangxiong Glass Plank Road (need to buy 5-yuan shoe covers) → go to Shanmeng Platform (heart-shaped cliff platform) → watch the Bajie Marrying a Wife attraction → enjoy Cloud Latte and take photos at Natural Corner Coffee → return from the East Gate. This route is easy and allows punching in at internet-famous attractions, suitable for parent-child play or tourists who don't want to be too tired.
Boarding Challenge Line (6h)
Take the cable car from the East Gate → tour along the Feihu Gorge Line (1,600 meters) → walk through the glass plank road → take the Feiyunkou Cable Car → climb to Foguangding (the top of Taihang at an altitude of 2,096 meters) → tour along the Shuangxiong Stone Line → go down the mountain from the Cuiping Peak Cable Car at the West Gate. This route allows you to enjoy the sea of clouds, Buddha's light, and geological wonders, suitable for hiking enthusiasts.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Beijing, take Jingkun Expressway → Laiyuan Expressway, which can directly reach the East Gate of the scenic area. The driving time is about 3 hours, and parking in the scenic area is free.
- High-speed Railway: Take the high-speed railway from Beijing or Shijiazhuang to Laiyuan Station, and then take a taxi for about 30 minutes to the scenic area, costing about 40 yuan.
- Scenic Area Direct Bus: Non-self-driving tourists can choose the scenic area direct bus, with corresponding departures from Liuliqiao in Beijing and Baoding East Station.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Shuangxiong Stone Glass Plank Road: China's first highest, longest, and widest suspended glass plank road, located at an altitude of 1,900 meters, 95 meters long and 2 meters wide. Standing on it, you can overlook the abyss and experience excitement (those afraid of heights should choose carefully).
- Shanmeng Platform: Located on a marble isolated peak at an altitude of 1,900 meters, shaped like a heart. There is a "Hearts Connected" huge stone in the center of the platform, implying beautiful love. It is a must-visit check-in point for couples.
- Cliff Cafe (Natural Corner Coffee): Here you can hold a latte and take photos with the sea of clouds. Drinks start at 38 yuan, and the photo effect is better when the light is favorable in the afternoon.
- Foguangding: The highest peak of Baishi Mountain, 2,096 meters above sea level. Climbing it can overlook the magnificent scenery, and if lucky, you can see the sea of clouds and Buddha's light.
Tour Tips
- It is easy to see the sea of clouds after rain. It is recommended to check the weather in advance. The temperature difference at the top of the mountain is large, so even in summer, you need to bring a windproof jacket.
- Some sections of the scenic area are steep. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes, and choosing bright clothes will have a better photo effect.
- There are many tourists in the scenic area on weekends, and the queuing time for the cable car may exceed 1 hour. It is recommended to enter the park before 7:30 to avoid peak hours.
- The recommended play time is 3-4 hours. If you want to play in depth, you can choose the 6-hour boarding challenge line.
Precautions
- Some roads in the scenic area are rough. Pay attention to foot safety when walking to avoid falling.
- When playing on the glass plank road, wear shoe covers as required, obey the command of the staff, and do not run or jump on the plank road.
- Take care of the environment in the scenic area, do not litter, and do not damage vegetation and public facilities.
- When taking the cable car, abide by the riding rules, and do not open the cable car door or make dangerous moves without permission.
- The catering price in the scenic area may be relatively high. You can appropriately bring your own drinking water and snacks.