Heishan Grand Canyon Scenic Area is located in the hinterland of the Taihang Mountains in the northwest of Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, specifically 2 kilometers northwest of Heishanguan Village, Yingli Township, Pingshan County. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and also a provincial scenic spot in Hebei Province.
The scenic area is famous for its characteristics of "wildness, seclusion, tranquility, uniqueness, danger, and beauty" with peculiar natural landscapes, enjoying the reputation of a "paradise". It covers a total area of about 17 square kilometers, with an average altitude of 1,300 meters. The main peak, Chaituojian, reaches an altitude of 1,910 meters, and there are 13 other peaks above 1,000 meters around it. The scenic area is composed of service areas, cultural landscape areas, Longtan Waterfall Area, natural primeval forest areas, main peak outdoor adventure areas, etc., including more than 60 scenic spots.
It is rich in ecological resources, with thousands of plant species, many Chinese medicinal materials, and wild animals inhabiting here. The scenic area is abundant in water resources, with a quiet environment and pleasant climate. The average temperature in midsummer is only 20 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal place for summer vacation and leisure. In addition, the scenic area is 120 kilometers east of Shijiazhuang City, with a driving time of about 2 hours, and the transportation is relatively convenient.
History and Culture
The name of Heishan Grand Canyon is related to the establishment of passes in the Han Dynasty Great Wall. Its history can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. It was named because it is located near the Great Wall pass, carrying the historical memory of ancient military defense.
The scenic area also has a legend associated with Mu Guiying of the Song Dynasty. It is said that Mu Yu, the father of Mu Guiying, a great general of the Song Dynasty, was versatile in both literary and martial arts. Later, he was framed by treacherous court officials, so he led his whole family to flee here overnight and built Muke Village. Later, Yang Zongbao met Mu Guiying when he came to seek the Xianglongmu (the Subduing Dragon Wood), and the two got married. This story has added a strong cultural flavor and legendary atmosphere to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Muke Village
Muke Village is located on the platform beside the valley at the top of Feipu Valley, which is a cultural attraction built based on historical legends. The village has buildings such as martial arts fields, marriage recruitment rooms, assembly halls, Mu Guiying's boudoir, and family temples, restoring the living scenes of ancient villages. The large stone roller at the door is an object used at that time, with a sense of historical heaviness. Going out of the back mountain gate and following the mountain road, you can reach the viewing platform, where there is a landscape corridor, and tourists can overlook the whole village.
Fusheng Temple
Fusheng Temple is situated in the Heishan Grand Canyon, with a large architectural scale encompassing structures such as the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Mahavira Hall. The temple buildings, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, are resplendent in gold and jade, exuding an air of solemnity and antiquity. It boasts a unique geographical location: backed by Leiyin Peak to the north, facing Shoushan Mountain to the south, flanked by the Qinglong and Baihu Hills on the east and west respectively, and surrounded by the Heilongqing Stream in front of the gate. The temple's multiple halls with their yellow-tiled roofs and red walls stand out prominently amid the lofty mountains and dense forests, making it a significant Buddhist cultural landscape within the scenic area.
Qingliang Gorge
Qingliang Gorge is located at the west end of Muke Village on the mountainside platform, featuring a cool climate and peculiar landforms. The cliff on the south side is 80 meters high, standing upright or even leaning outward. The wind in the gorge is piercingly cold, making it very cool even in midsummer. The cliffs on the south and west sides of Yunu Peak are even 200-300 meters high. There are 5 granite caves 10 meters high and 2 meters wide distributed on the cliff surface, and many springs flow out of the caves, adding some vitality and mystery to the gorge.
Red Birch Forest
The red birch forest is located in the gorge between Yunu Peak and Yuanquan. The red birch growing here is a national second-class protected plant. The red birch trees in the forest vary in thickness, with the thickest one having a diameter at breast height of 20 centimeters. Its bark is bright red, which is highly ornamental. Red birch bark is not only unique in appearance but also has medicinal value, which can treat stubborn diseases such as rheumatism. In ancient times, it was used to make bamboo hats and rain gear, and now it is also endowed with the romantic meaning of "the tree of love Cupid".
Kiwi Forest
The kiwi forest is located in a gully at an altitude of about 1,350 meters. The largest wild kiwi tree in it covers an area of more than 10,000 square meters, with a tree age of more than 1,000 years, which can be called a wonder. Wild kiwifruit has an obvious growth cycle: it blooms in late spring, bears fruit in summer, and ripens after frost in autumn. The fruit is as big as a grape and tastes sweet as honey. This kiwi forest is not only part of the natural landscape but also provides tourists with an opportunity to get close to nature and feel the wild fun.
Longtan Waterfall Area
Longtan Waterfall Area is one of the core areas of the natural landscape in the scenic area, with many waterfalls and pools. Among them, waterfalls such as Huanglong Waterfall have turbulent water, pouring down from the cliff with a great momentum, forming a spectacular water scene. There are often clear pools under the waterfalls, with green water, which set off against the surrounding rocks and trees, forming beautiful landscapes, making it a good place for tourists to take photos and enjoy the scenery.
Delicacies
Heishan Roast Whole Lamb
Heishan Roast Whole Lamb is a special food at the entrance of the scenic area. It uses locally raised goats as raw materials and is roasted with fruit wood charcoal. During the roasting process, the mutton fully absorbs the aroma of fruit wood, with a crispy outer skin and tender and juicy inner meat, which is fragrant. A roast whole lamb costs about 600-800 yuan, suitable for sharing among many people, allowing tourists to taste the authentic mountain flavor.
Yingli Pancake
Yingli Pancake is a unique delicacy in Pingshan County and also a special food around Heishan Grand Canyon. It has a unique production process, using high-quality flour, and is made through multiple processes such as kneading, rolling, and baking. The finished product is crispy, layered, rich in wheat aroma, and has a unique flavor. A Yingli Pancake costs about 5-8 yuan, which can be eaten with local home-cooked dishes and is loved by tourists.
Big Pot Dish
Big Pot Dish is a traditional folk dish in the local area, which is common in restaurants around the scenic area. This dish is rich in ingredients, usually including Chinese cabbage, tofu, vermicelli, pork belly slices, etc. These ingredients are stewed together in a big pot, so that various flavors blend with each other, and the soup is rich and delicious with a rich taste. A bowl of Big Pot Dish costs about 10-15 yuan, full of home flavor, which can bring tourists a warm taste experience.
Red Bean Rice Soup
Red Bean Rice Soup is a local special soup, made of red beans and millet. Red beans are soft and sweet, millet has a delicate taste, and the cooked rice soup is thick and smooth, rich in nutrition, and has the effect of invigorating the spleen and stomach. A bowl of Red Bean Rice Soup costs about 3-5 yuan, with a light and refreshing taste, suitable for eating with other staple foods, and is a common farmhouse snack in restaurants around the scenic area.
Tickets
The ticket price is 65 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "黑山大峡谷" to get the latest news. As of August 2, 2025, the official WeChat public account does not provide online ticket purchasing function.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are from May 20 to December 31 every year, with daily opening hours from 8:00 to 17:00, and admission stops at 16:00. It should be noted that the period from January 1 to May 19 is the off-season of the scenic area, and there may be closed maintenance or adjusted opening hours. It is recommended that tourists confirm the specific opening information through official channels before traveling.
Tour Routes
Route 1 (Enjoy a quiet walk in the mountains): Start from Yunyu Pavilion, pass through the large archway, take the sightseeing bus to Guguan, then walk to Sanchakou, watch Huanglong Waterfall, then go to Kiwi Forest, Jianglong Spring, then to Red Birch Forest, Yunu Peak, then climb to the viewing platform, visit Qingliang Gorge, Muke Village, and finally take the cable car down the mountain. This route is mainly on foot, with a total length of about 8 kilometers, taking about 5-6 hours, suitable for tourists who like to enjoy natural scenery at a slow pace.
Route 2 (Panoramic view of the mountain scenery): Start from Yunyu Pavilion, pass through the large archway, take the sightseeing bus to the cable car station, take the cable car directly to Muke Village, then go to Yunu Peak, Jianglong Spring, then to Sanchakou, pass through the vine forest, reach Guguan, and finally take the sightseeing bus down the mountain. This route uses cable cars and sightseeing buses to reduce part of the walking distance, with a total length of about 6 kilometers, taking about 4-5 hours, suitable for tourists who want to save energy and have a panoramic view of the mountain scenery.
Transportation
- Public transportation: Take the Pingshi Express from Shijiazhuang North Bus Station to Pingshan Bus Station, with a journey of about 1 hour and a fare of 15 yuan; after arriving at Pingshan Bus Station, transfer to the bus from Pingshan to Heishanguan, get off at Heishanguan Station, with a journey of about 2.5 hours and a fare of 20 yuan, then walk about 2 kilometers to the entrance of the scenic area.
- Self-driving Route A: Starting from Shijiazhuang, drive along Shiqing Road to Pingshan County, then transfer to Wentang, Guyue, Xiahuai, Xiaojue Town, Yingli Township, and finally reach Heishan Grand Canyon Scenic Area. The total distance is about 120 kilometers, with a driving time of about 3 hours, and there are clear scenic area signs along the way.
- Self-driving Route B: Starting from Shijiazhuang, go to Pingshan County, then pass through Xibaipo, Xiaojue Town, Yingli Township to reach Heishan Grand Canyon Scenic Area. The total distance is about 130 kilometers, with a driving time of about 3.5 hours. This route can also visit Xibaipo Scenic Area on the way.
Must-visit Attractions
- Muke Village: It contains profound historical and cultural heritage. The buildings in the village restore the style of the Song Dynasty village, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the historical legend related to Mu Guiying. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
- Qingliang Gorge: The cliff is up to 300 meters high, with 5 natural granite caves where springs flow out. The temperature in the gorge is low in summer with cool winds, making it an excellent place for summer cooling and viewing peculiar landforms. It is recommended to visit for 1.5 hours.
- Red Birch Forest: It grows national second-class protected plant red birch, with a maximum diameter at breast height of 20 centimeters. The bark is bright red, with both ornamental and medicinal values, and is also endowed with romantic meanings. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
- Kiwi Forest: It has wild kiwi trees with a tree age of over 1,000 years, covering an area of more than 10,000 square meters. Wild fruits can be tasted in autumn, allowing people to feel the natural wild fun. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
- Longtan Waterfall Area: The waterfall has a spectacular flow, and the pool has clear green water, with mountains and water setting off each other. It is the essence of the natural landscape of the scenic area. It is recommended to visit for 1.5 hours.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to visit for 1 day. You can choose a suitable travel route according to your physical strength and interests. Those with better physical strength are recommended to take Route 1, and those who prefer a relaxed tour can choose Route 2.
- The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is large. Even in summer, the temperature is low in the morning and evening, so it is recommended to bring a thin coat to keep warm.
- There are many mountain roads in the scenic area, and some sections are steep. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes to ensure walking safety.
- When going in summer, the sun is strong, so you need to take sun protection measures, such as bringing sunglasses, hats, and applying sunscreen.
- It is recommended to carry an appropriate amount of drinking water and dry food to replenish energy in time during the tour. There are few catering points in the scenic area and the prices are relatively high.
Matters Needing Attention
- Protect the ecological environment of the scenic area. It is forbidden to disturb wild animals, pick protected plants (such as red birch) and wild fruits (except in areas where picking is allowed). Violators will be punished.
- Some routes such as the main peak outdoor adventure area require high physical strength. Tourists need to choose according to their own health conditions to avoid excessive fatigue. It is recommended to travel with companions.
- Tourists driving to the scenic area need to slow down when driving on mountain roads, pay attention to avoiding oncoming vehicles, abide by traffic rules, and the parking fee in the scenic area is 10 yuan per car per day.
- When taking the cable car, you must strictly follow the arrangement of the staff, fasten the safety devices as required, and do not play around in the cable car to ensure safety.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in some areas of the scenic area. It is recommended to agree on the meeting time and place with companions in advance to avoid getting separated.
- Mountain roads are slippery on rainy days, which is prone to accidents. It is recommended to avoid going to the scenic area on rainy days. If you are already in the scenic area, you need to pay attention to anti-slip and try to choose flat routes.