Beijing Phoenix Ridge Natural Scenic Area is located in Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District, Beijing, about 33 kilometers from the city center. The scenic area is rated as 4A-level and is an ecological tourism area integrating natural landscapes, cultural relics, and Buddhist culture. The scenic area is characterized by "strange peaks, unique rocks, forest seas, and magical springs", boasting the largest cliff inscriptions group in Beijing and rare wild rhododendron forests in North China. The total area of the park is about 10.6 square kilometers, composed of three tourist routes: the North Line focuses on landscape and Buddhist culture, the Middle Line on religious culture and ancient temple ruins, and the South Line on ecological leisure and pastoral scenery. The buildings in the scenic area are mostly in the Ming and Qing styles, such as Longquan Temple and Taoyuan View, among which Longquan Temple covers an area of about 16,000 square meters and is an important Buddhist activity place in northwestern Beijing.
History and Culture
The history of Phoenix Ridge can be traced back to the Liao Dynasty. According to research, the Liao Dynasty built pagodas and temples here, and the existing Diamond Pagoda is a relic of the Liao Dynasty, with a history of nearly a thousand years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Phoenix Ridge became an important activity area for Buddhism and Taoism, and buildings such as Longquan Temple and Taoyuan View were all built during this period. Longquan Temple was first built in the early years of Yingli in the Liao Dynasty and was repeatedly renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The temple preserves a large number of inscriptions and ancient trees, among which two ancient cypresses with a tree age of more than 600 years are listed as national second-class protected trees. Taoyuan View is one of the few Taoist architectural complexes in Beijing, first built in the Ming Dynasty and used as a royal palace imperial villa in the Qing Dynasty. In the 1980s, Phoenix Ridge began tourism development, was officially opened to the public in 1996, and was rated as a national AAAA-level scenic area in 2009. There are currently 12 cultural relics protection units in the scenic area, including 1 national-level and 3 municipal-level, which are important physical materials for studying Beijing's religious culture and ancient architecture.
Main Attractions
Longquan Temple
Longquan Temple is located on the Middle Line of the scenic area, first built in the Liao Dynasty, covering an area of about 16,000 square meters. The temple buildings are built along the mountain, facing east from the west, mainly including the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, etc. There is a thousand-year-old ancient well "Longquan" in the temple, with sweet and clear spring water that flows all year round. The temple also preserves precious cultural relics such as Liao Dynasty stone Buddha and Ming Dynasty bronze bell, among which the Liao Dynasty stone Buddha is about 1.2 meters high, with exquisite modeling, and is an important physical object for studying Liao Dynasty Buddhist art.
Diamond Pagoda
The Diamond Pagoda is located on the peak at an altitude of about 450 meters on the North Line. It is the only existing dense-eave stone pagoda in Beijing, built in the Liao Dynasty, with a history of nearly a thousand years. The pagoda is about 7 meters high, composed of the pagoda base, body, and finial, with Buddhist scriptures and patterns engraved on the body. There is a huge stone about 10 meters high beside the pagoda, named "Diamond", from which the pagoda gets its name.
Magic Spring
The Magic Spring is located in the depths of the North Line, a natural mountain spring where water gushes out from rock crevices, with clear and sweet water quality. A pavilion is built by the spring for visitors to rest and drink water. According to tests, the spring water is rich in various minerals, and the annual water temperature remains at about 14°C, known as "natural mineral water".
Flying Stone Pagoda
The Flying Stone Pagoda is located at the top of the highest peak "Phoenix Ridge" in the scenic area, at an altitude of 748 meters. It is a solid stone pagoda built in the Ming Dynasty, about 2.9 meters high, carved from a complete huge stone, with simple and unique modeling. It is said that this pagoda "flew" from elsewhere, hence the name. Standing beside the pagoda, you can overlook the entire scenic area with a broad view, making it an excellent place to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds.
Food
Longquan Temple Vegetarian Cuisine
Longquan Temple Vegetarian Cuisine is located beside Longquan Temple in the scenic area, offering pure vegetarian dishes. Using soy products, fungi, and vegetables as the main raw materials, it imitates the shape and taste of meat dishes, such as "vegetarian braised pork" and "vegetarian fish-flavored shredded pork". Recommended dishes include Arhat Vegetables and vegetarian buns, with an average consumption of about 40-60 yuan per person, requiring advance reservation.
Roasted Rainbow Trout
Roasted rainbow trout is a specialty food of the farmhouses around the scenic area. Using locally farmed rainbow trout, it is killed and roasted on the spot, with a crispy exterior and tender interior, paired with secret sauce. A fish weighs about 1.5-2 jin, priced at about 60-80 yuan, and can usually be eaten in two ways (roasted and made into soup).
Mountain Wild Vegetable Stuffed Dumplings
Mountain wild vegetable stuffed dumplings are a characteristic snack around the scenic area, made from wild vegetables picked in spring (such as shepherd's purse and purslane) paired with pork or eggs as fillings, with a fresh and unique taste. About 40-50 yuan per catty, containing about 30 dumplings, recommended to be eaten with garlic vinegar sauce.
Sujiatuo Tofu
Sujiatuo tofu is a local specialty, made by traditional craftsmanship, with delicate texture and rich bean flavor. Surrounding restaurants often use it to make dishes such as Mapo Tofu and tofu soup, with a portion of Mapo Tofu costing about 25-35 yuan and tofu soup about 15-20 yuan.
Tickets
The ticket price for Beijing Phoenix Ridge Natural Scenic Area is 25 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京凤凰岭" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of Beijing Phoenix Ridge Natural Scenic Area are: peak season (March 1 to November 30) 6:00-19:00, with admission stopping at 18:00; off-season (December 1 to February 28 of the following year) 7:00-17:00, with admission stopping at 16:00. The opening hours of each attraction in the scenic area are synchronized with the park, among which Longquan Temple is open from 8:00-16:30, and may close early at 16:00 in winter. The scenic area is open throughout the year. In case of extreme weather (heavy rain, heavy snow, etc.) or major events, it may be temporarily closed, subject to the daily announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route:
Morning: Enter from the east gate of the scenic area, walk along the Middle Line to Longquan Temple, visit the ancient temple buildings and the thousand-year-old Longquan, stay for about 1 hour; then continue along the Middle Line to Taoyuan View to learn about Taoist culture, about 30 minutes;
Noon: Dine in the scenic area restaurant or surrounding farmhouses, recommended to taste roasted rainbow trout and mountain wild vegetable dumplings;
Afternoon: Choose the North Line tour, first go to Magic Spring to rest and drink water, then climb to Diamond Pagoda, enjoying the strange peaks and rocks along the way, about 1.5 hours; then continue to climb up to Flying Stone Pagoda, overlook the panorama, stay for about 40 minutes;
Evening: Return along the North Line, or choose to take the scenic area battery car (one-way 10 yuan/person) down the mountain, and exit from the east gate. This route covers the main attractions, with a total distance of about 6-7 kilometers and a walking time of about 4-5 hours, suitable for visitors with good physical strength. If physical strength is limited, you can choose to visit only part of the Middle Line and North Line attractions, or take a battery car for transportation.
Transportation
- Bus: Take bus No. 346 to "Phoenix Ridge" station and get off, the starting and ending stations of bus No. 346 are "Metro Beigongmen Station - Phoenix Ridge", first bus at 6:00, last bus at 20:00, about one bus every 15 minutes, the whole journey is about 50 minutes.
- Metro: Take Metro Line 16 to "Bei'anhe" station, exit from A, transfer to Special Line 16 bus to "Phoenix Ridge" station, Special Line 16 first bus at 7:00, last bus at 19:00, about one bus every 30 minutes, metro + bus whole journey is about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Self-driving: Drive north along Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway (G7), exit from "Bei'anhe/Wenyang Road", drive west along Wenyang Road for about 10 kilometers to reach. The scenic area has two parking lots, east and west. The east parking lot is larger, with about 500 parking spaces, parking fee is 10 yuan/hour, which may be tight during holidays, so it is recommended to arrive early.
Must-visit Attractions
- Longquan Temple: Liao Dynasty ancient temple, covering 16,000㎡, with a thousand-year-old Longquan well and Liao Dynasty stone Buddha, deep Buddhist culture, buildings built along the mountain, surrounded by ancient trees.
- Diamond Pagoda: Liao Dynasty dense-eave stone pagoda, 7 meters high, the only one in Beijing, located on a 450-meter-altitude peak, with Buddhist scriptures engraved on the body, and a 10-meter-high diamond rock beside it.
- Flying Stone Pagoda: Ming Dynasty solid stone pagoda, 2.9 meters high, located at the top of Phoenix Ridge at 748 meters above sea level, carved from a whole rock, legend has it that it "flew here", an excellent place to watch sunrise and sea of clouds.
- Magic Spring: Natural mountain spring, water temperature about 14℃, rich in minerals, with a pavilion by the spring, can be drunk directly, a rest and water replenishment point on the North Line.
Tour Tips
- In spring (March-April), you can enjoy apricot flowers all over the mountain, and the Apricot Flower Festival is held in April; in autumn (September-October), the mountains are full of red leaves, the best season for mountain climbing and scenery appreciation.
- The scenic area has many mountain roads, it is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes, carry enough drinking water (the price in the scenic area is high) and a small amount of snacks, such as chocolate and energy bars.
- The North Line climbing route is steep, those with weak physical strength can carry a walking stick, the elderly and children are recommended to play on the Middle Line, or take a battery car to the middle of the North Line before starting to climb.
- Longquan Temple provides free incense, which can be voluntarily received for worship. When entering the temple, please follow religious etiquette and keep quiet.
- There are many visitors in the scenic area during holidays, especially on weekend mornings. It is recommended to start early to avoid the peak flow of people, and there may be a queue for battery cars when going down the mountain in the afternoon.
Notes
- Smoking and open fires are prohibited in the scenic area, and carrying fire sources up the mountain is strictly forbidden. Violators will be punished according to regulations.
- The mountain roads are steep, and some sections have no guardrails. Pay attention to foot safety when walking, and do not climb undeveloped areas.
- There are many mosquitoes in the mountains in summer, it is recommended to wear long-sleeved clothes and carry mosquito repellent; mountain roads are easy to freeze in winter, pay attention to anti-slip, it is recommended to wear ice claws.
- Do not litter in the scenic area, keep the environment clean, and throw garbage into designated trash cans.
- When visiting religious places, respect religious customs, do not take photos at will, and do not disturb the activities of believers.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in the scenic area, especially in the depths of the North Line. It is recommended to travel in groups and inform family members of the itinerary in advance.
- In case of bad weather (heavy rain, strong wind, etc.), the scenic area may temporarily close some attractions or the whole park.