Heilongtan Scenic Area is located west of Daguan Bridge, Shicheng Town, Miyun District, Beijing, about 100 kilometers from downtown Beijing. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and an important ecological protection area upstream of Beijing Miyun Reservoir. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 9 square kilometers, distributed along the Longtan Valley Gorge, a tributary of the Baihe River, with a total length of about 4 kilometers and a canyon drop of over 200 meters. The scenic area is mainly characterized by canyons, waterfalls, and deep pools, integrating strange mountains, beautiful waters, and exotic rocks. It gets its name from the 18 uniquely shaped pool landscapes distributed in the canyon and is known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou in Northern Beijing". The vegetation coverage rate in the area exceeds 90%, with various trees such as Chinese pine, aspen, and walnut, as well as wild fruit trees like wild apricot and jujube, presenting different scenery in four seasons. The main facilities include a 3.5-kilometer-long hiking trail, 3 viewing platforms, and 3 rest pavilions, providing convenient visiting conditions for tourists.
Historical Culture
The Baihe River Gorge basin where Heilongtan is located has a long history. As early as the Ming Dynasty, there were historical records of the local landscape, and it was an important forestry production area and water source for Miyun County at that time. Cliff inscriptions from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty were found in the canyon, with inscriptions such as "Flying Pearls and Splashing Jade", confirming its history as a natural scenic spot.
In modern times, Heilongtan was officially developed into a tourist attraction in the 1980s, gradually improving its visiting facilities based on the natural canyon landform and water landscapes. In 2008, the scenic area systematically named the 18 pools, such as "Sandiantan (Three-tiered Pool)", "Longxitan (Dragon-playing Pool)", and "Zhenzhuchuan (Pearl String)", each name derived from the morphological characteristics of the pool or folk legends. There is also a local legend of "Black Dragon Governing Water", which says that in ancient times, a black dragon lived here and would bring rain during droughts to protect the people. Hence the name "Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool)", adding a mythical color to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Sandiantan (Three-tiered Pool)
Sandiantan is the entrance landscape of Heilongtan, named after the water forming three tiers of cascades through three steps, with a total drop of about 15 meters. The upper pool covers an area of about 20 square meters, with a depth of 1.5 meters and gentle water flow; the middle pool covers 30 square meters, with a depth of 2 meters, where the water impact forms a small waterfall; the lower pool covers 50 square meters, with a depth of 3 meters, surrounded by smooth pebbles. Surrounded by green trees, when the water is abundant in summer, the three tiers of water pour down simultaneously with gurgling sounds, making it the first viewing highlight for tourists after entering the park.
Longxitan (Dragon-playing Pool)
Longxitan is located in the middle of the scenic area and is one of the iconic landscapes of Heilongtan. The pool covers an area of about 80 square meters, with a maximum depth of 5 meters, named after a huge rock in the center of the pool that resembles a dragon's head. The rock is about 3 meters high and 2 meters wide, with a rounded shape after years of water erosion, like a giant dragon lurking in the water. The pool water rushes down from the northern cliff, forming a 5-meter-wide and 8-meter-high waterfall. When the water hits the rocks, it splashes, and rainbows often appear under the sunlight, presenting a spectacular scene.
Zhenzhuchuan (Pearl String)
Zhenzhuchuan is a group of 5 connected small pools distributed in a 100-meter-long canyon section. Each pool covers an area of 5-10 square meters, with a depth of 0.5-1 meter, connected by streams with a drop of less than 2 meters. When the water flows through the rock crevices, it forms thin water lines like a string of pearls, hence the name. The canyon here is narrow, with 30-meter-high cliffs on both sides and overgrown with vines. In summer, the temperature here is 5-8℃ lower than the outside, making it a good place for summer cooling.
Tongtianpu (Heaven-reaching Waterfall)
Tongtianpu is the waterfall with the largest drop in Heilongtan, located in the upper part of the scenic area. The waterfall is 25 meters high and 4 meters wide, with water pouring down from the cliff top, hitting the rocks at the bottom to form a deep pool. The pool covers an area of about 60 square meters, with a depth of 4 meters. There is a natural viewing platform above the waterfall, covering an area of about 15 square meters, where visitors can watch the entire waterfall up close and feel the roar and water mist generated by the water impact. In winter, part of the waterfall freezes, forming an ice waterfall landscape with a unique shape, which is a popular attraction for winter visits.
Longweitan (Dragon's Tail Pool)
Longweitan is the terminal landscape of Heilongtan and the largest pool among the 18 pools, covering an area of about 120 square meters, with a maximum depth of 6 meters. It is named after its location at the end of the canyon, resembling a dragon's tail. The pool water is clear to the bottom, allowing visitors to see the pebbles and small fish swimming at the bottom. There is a circular trail around the pool for visitors to walk around and enjoy the view. On the north side of the pool, there is a 2-meter-wide natural stone cave, 5 meters deep, which is cool and humid inside and can accommodate more than 10 people for rest.
Delicacies
Miyun Reservoir Fish
Miyun Reservoir Fish is a specialty dish around Heilongtan Scenic Area. It uses carp, crucian carp, or bighead carp, which are native to the reservoir. The fish is cooked in a braised style, paired with ingredients like tofu and vermicelli, resulting in tender meat and a rich, flavorful broth. This dish is available at all farmhouses around the scenic area. A fish weighing about 3 catties (1.5 kilograms) is priced at approximately 120-150 yuan, suitable for 3-4 people to share. Due to the long growth cycle of reservoir fish, they have no fishy taste and are representative of local cuisine.
Tiebingzi Ao Xiaoyu (Pancakes with Braised Small Fish)
Tiebingzi Ao Xiaoyu is a traditional farm dish in the suburbs of Beijing, using small miscellaneous fish from the Baihe River (such as horse mouth fish and stickleback) cooked in an iron pot together with corn pancakes, integrating the freshness of fish and the aroma of pancakes. The pancakes are made of corn flour mixed with bean flour, baked on the edge of the pot, with a crispy bottom and soft top. This dish is available in restaurants near the scenic area at a price of about 60 yuan per serving, and tastes better when paired with millet porridge.
Shanyecai Chao Rou (Stir-fried Wild Vegetables with Pork)
Shanyecai Chao Rou uses wild vegetables picked around the scenic area, such as shepherd's purse, purslane, or bitter vegetables, stir-fried quickly with pork shreds, with a refreshing taste and rich nutrition. The wild vegetables need to be blanched to remove bitterness, then seasoned with minced garlic and soy sauce to highlight the natural fragrance. This dish is priced at about 40 yuan per serving, is a seasonal delicacy for spring visits, and reflects local dietary characteristics.
Chaiji Dun Mogu (Braised Free-range Chicken with Mushrooms)
Chaiji Dun Mogu uses locally raised free-range chickens, braised slowly in a casserole for 1.5 hours with wild hazel mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, with firm chicken meat and mellow soup. The free-range chickens weigh about 2-3 jin, with a price of about 160 yuan per serving, suitable for 4-5 people. It is a nourishing delicacy in autumn and winter and is available in 5 farmhouses west of the scenic area.
Tickets
The ticket price is 58 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "黑龙潭风景区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are adjusted according to the season: from April 1 to October 31 (peak season), the opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (admission stops at 17:00); from November 1 to March 31 of the next year (off-season), the opening hours are 9:00-16:00 (admission stops at 15:30). Among them, some sections may be closed due to snow from December to February of the next year, and only the area up to Sandiantan is open. Visitors need to consult the scenic area in advance for confirmation.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at the scenic area at 9:00 am, enter from the main gate and visit Sandiantan, then walk north along the trail for 15 minutes to Longxitan to enjoy the waterfall and deep pool landscape, taking about 1 hour; continue walking for 20 minutes to Zhenzhuchuan, walking through the connected pools, taking 40 minutes; have lunch at the rest pavilion in the middle of the scenic area at around 12:00 noon (you can bring your own food or go to a nearby farmhouse). At 13:30 pm, go to Tongtianpu, climb about 300 steps to reach the viewing platform, taking 1 hour; then walk for 25 minutes to Longweitan, visit the terminal landscape for 40 minutes; start returning at 15:30, go back to the main gate along the original road, and leave the scenic area at around 16:30. The whole journey is about 8 kilometers on foot, with a cumulative climb of 300 meters, suitable for tourists with moderate physical strength.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, drive along Jingcheng Expressway to Miyun Urban Area Exit, turn to Miguan Road towards Shicheng Town, and reach the destination according to the scenic area signs. The whole journey is about 100 kilometers, with a driving time of 2-2.5 hours. The scenic area parking lot can accommodate 300 small cars and 10 large cars.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 980 Express (towards Miyun Bus Station) at Dongzhimen Bus Hub, get off at Miyun Bus Station, then transfer to Bus No. Mi 60 (towards Sihetang), get off at Heilongtan Station, and walk 50 meters to reach the destination. The whole journey takes about 3 hours, with a fare of about 20 yuan. Bus No. Mi 60 departs at 6:30, 10:30, and 14:30 every day, and the return times are 7:30, 11:30, and 15:30.
- Tourist bus: Beijing Tourism Distribution Center operates a special line to Heilongtan from April to October every year, departing from Dongzhimen at 8:00 am every Saturday and Sunday, and returning from the scenic area at 16:00 pm, with a fare of 120 yuan per person (including round-trip fare and tickets), which needs to be booked through official channels 1 day in advance.
Must-visit Attractions
- Longxitan: The iconic landscape of Heilongtan, with an 8-meter-high waterfall hitting a 5-meter-deep pool, and the dragon-shaped boulder in the center is the core highlight, recommended visiting time is 30 minutes.
- Tongtianpu: The highest waterfall in the scenic area, with a 25-meter drop forming a spectacular water curtain, and the viewing platform at the top offers a bird's-eye view of the canyon scenery, recommended visiting time is 40 minutes.
- Zhenzhuchuan: A group of 5 connected pools, with a deep and cool canyon, suitable for summer cooling, recommended visiting time is 50 minutes.
- Longweitan: The largest pool landscape, covering an area of 120 square meters, which can be viewed by walking around, and the surrounding stone cave is a good place for rest, recommended visiting time is 30 minutes.
Tour Suggestions
- The best visiting seasons are May-June and September-October. In May-June, the canyon is full of blooming flowers and abundant water; in September-October, the weather is clear and crisp, and the mountains are covered with red and yellow colors, presenting pleasant scenery.
- The trails in the scenic area have many stone steps, and some sections are steep, so it is necessary to wear non-slip sports shoes. It is recommended to bring trekking poles to assist in climbing, especially pay attention to safety on rainy days.
- In terms of catering, there is only 1 canteen in the scenic area. It is recommended to bring your own dry food and drinking water, or go to restaurants in Shicheng Town, 1 kilometer away from the scenic area, with an average consumption of about 50-80 yuan per person.
- For summer visits, it is necessary to take anti-mosquito measures and bring mosquito repellent; the temperature difference between morning and evening is large in autumn, so it is necessary to prepare a thin coat; if viewing ice waterfalls in winter, it is necessary to wear non-slip crampons.
- Photography enthusiasts are recommended to bring a wide-angle lens to shoot the panoramic view of the waterfall. Before 10 am, the sunlight slants into the canyon, with the best light and shadow effect, suitable for shooting the reflection of the pool water.
Matters Needing Attention
- Swimming, fishing, climbing cliffs, or entering undeveloped areas in the scenic area are prohibited. Violators will be fined, and those with serious circumstances will be held responsible.
- When visiting with children, it is necessary to take care of them throughout the process, avoid running and playing near the pools, and keep a safe distance as some sections have no guardrails.
- The weather in mountainous areas is changeable. It is recommended to check the weather forecast in advance, bring a folding umbrella or disposable raincoat. The scenic area may be temporarily closed in heavy rain, and you need to follow the guidance of the staff.
- Protect the ecological environment of the scenic area, do not litter. There are 5 trash cans in the scenic area, and waste can be sorted and placed. Picking wild plants or harming wild animals is strictly prohibited.
- There are many tourists in peak seasons (June-August and holidays). It is recommended to enter the park before 9 am or after 2 pm to avoid the peak period from 10:00 to 15:00. For parking, you can choose the farmer's parking lot outside the scenic area, with a charge of 10 yuan per day.
- Mobile phone signals in the scenic area are unstable, and there is no signal in some areas. It is recommended to agree on the gathering time and place with companions. There is an emergency contact phone at the entrance of the scenic area for emergency needs.