Jingdong Shilin Gorge Scenic Area is located in Huangsongyu Township, Pinggu District, Beijing, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is about 12 square kilometers, featuring natural landscapes such as canyons, stone forests, waterfalls, and peak clusters. It integrates canyon exploration, leisure and vacation, and popular science education. The scenic area is surrounded by overlapping mountains, with the highest altitude reaching 768 meters and a vegetation coverage rate of over 95%. It is rich in negative ions and is known as a "natural oxygen bar". The main buildings include viewing platforms, tourist service centers, and plank roads, with a total construction area of about 5,000 square meters. Among them, the "UFO" glass viewing platform is a landmark high-altitude landscape building and one of the core highlights of the scenic area.
History and Culture
Huangsongyu Township in Pinggu District, where Jingdong Shilin Gorge is located, has a long history. There have been traces of human activities as early as the Neolithic Age. Pottery, stone tools, and other cultural relics from the Shang and Zhou dynasties have been found around the scenic area, witnessing the development of early local civilization.
The "stone sea" landform in the scenic area was formed during the Yanshan orogeny about 150 million years ago. After long-term weathering and erosion, it has formed unique landscapes such as the standing stone forests and deep canyons. These natural wonders are themselves "living fossils" of the Earth's evolutionary history and have important geological research value.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, local villagers built some plank roads and mountain temples relying on the canyon terrain for travel and prayer. Although these relics have been renovated, they still retain the style of traditional architecture and have become part of the historical and cultural heritage of the scenic area. In recent years, the scenic area has focused on protecting natural and cultural resources during development and has gradually become a tourist destination integrating geological sightseeing and cultural experience.
Main Attractions
UFO Glass Viewing Platform
The UFO Glass Viewing Platform is located on the top of the main peak of the scenic area. Built in 2016, it is one of the world's larger cantilevered glass viewing platforms. The viewing platform is in the shape of a flying saucer, with a diameter of about 20 meters, a height of about 400 meters from the cliff bottom, and a cantilever length of 32.8 meters. It is entirely made of special tempered glass and can carry 200 people at the same time. Standing on the viewing platform, you can overlook the entire canyon in 360 degrees. With transparent glass under your feet, it feels like being in the sky, bringing a strong visual impact and a sense of adventure, making it a iconic check-in spot in the scenic area.
The Three Wonders of Stone Forest
The Three Wonders of Stone Forest refer to the three natural landscapes in the scenic area: "Stone Forest Peaks, Nine-Heaven Waterfall, and Northern Stone Forest". The Stone Forest Peaks consist of dozens of columnar rocks tens of meters high, with various shapes, like swords, bamboo shoots, and beasts, scattered in an orderly manner; the Nine-Heaven Waterfall has a drop of about 80 meters, with water pouring down from the cliff top. During the rainy season, the water volume is abundant and magnificent, while in winter, it forms a spectacular ice waterfall; the Northern Stone Forest is characterized by dense gray-white limestone peaks, which are more majestic and rugged compared with the stone forests in the south, showing the unique geological features of northern mountains.
Canyon Exploration Area
The Canyon Exploration Area is about 3 kilometers long and is one of the core tourist routes in the scenic area. There is a gurgling stream in the canyon, with steep cliffs on both sides. The narrowest part, only allowing one person to pass through, is called "One-Line Sky". Along the way, there are several pools such as "Crocodile Pool" and "Horse-Drinking Pool", with clear water. Tourists can walk along the plank road to enjoy exotic flowers, rare grasses, and strange rocks. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours on foot, suitable for tourists who like outdoor exploration.
Mountain God Temple
The Mountain God Temple is located on the hillside in the middle of the canyon. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty, and the existing building was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of about 200 square meters. The temple is in a traditional quadrangle layout, enshrining mountain gods and other folk deities. There is a stone stele from the Qing Dynasty in the courtyard, recording the renovation history of the temple. Surrounded by ancient cypresses, the Mountain God Temple has a quiet environment, serving as a place for tourists to rest and learn about local folk culture.
Food
Pinggu Stir-Fried Free-Range Chicken
Pinggu Stir-Fried Free-Range Chicken uses locally raised free-range chickens, cut into pieces and stir-fried with green peppers, potatoes, ginger slices, and other ingredients over high heat. The meat is firm and chewy, with a fresh and rich flavor. This dish is commonly available in farm stays around the scenic area. Served with pancake wraps or corn porridge, the per capita consumption is about 60-80 yuan, making it a must-try to experience rural flavors.
Fried Sichuan Pepper Sprouts
Fried Sichuan Pepper Sprouts is a local specialty snack in spring. It uses fresh Sichuan pepper sprouts picked from the mountains around the scenic area, wrapped in a thin layer of batter and fried. It has a golden color, a crispy texture, and a fragrant and slightly numbing taste of Sichuan pepper. This dish is rich in vitamins and has an appetizing effect. It can be tasted in restaurants and farm stays in the scenic area, with a price of about 25-35 yuan per serving.
Free-Range Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms
Free-Range Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms uses free-range chickens and local wild hazel mushrooms as raw materials, stewed over low heat for more than 2 hours. The chicken is tender and the soup is rich, with abundant nutrition. The hazel mushrooms are picked from the forests around the scenic area, with a fresh taste that blends with the umami of the chicken. It is a warming delicacy in autumn and winter, with a per capita consumption of about 70-90 yuan.
Tickets
The ticket price is 68 yuan per person. The glass plank road and cableway need to be charged separately. You can also purchase a package ticket at 208 yuan per person (including the entrance ticket, glass plank road, and cableway).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京平谷石林峡景区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the scenic area are adjusted according to peak and off-seasons: the peak season is from April 1st to October 31st, with opening hours from 7:30 to 17:30 (admission stops at 16:30); the off-season is from November 1st to March 31st of the next year, with opening hours from 8:30 to 16:30 (admission stops at 15:30). In winter, some sections may be closed in case of rain or snow. It is recommended to confirm through the official channel of the scenic area before traveling.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at the scenic area before 8:30 am, enter from the main gate and walk along the main road to the Canyon Exploration Area (about 30 minutes), visit landscapes such as One-Line Sky and various pools (about 1.5 hours); at 10:30, visit the Mountain God Temple (about 30 minutes), then climb along the mountain road to the viewing spot of the Three Wonders of Stone Forest (about 1 hour) to enjoy the peak clusters and waterfalls; at 12:00, have meals at the restaurant in the scenic area or farm stays nearby (about 1 hour); at 13:30 pm, go to the UFO Glass Viewing Platform (about 1 hour on foot) to experience the high-altitude landscape (about 40 minutes); at 15:10, go down the mountain along another trail, enjoying the Northern Stone Forest along the way (about 1.5 hours), and return to the exit of the scenic area before 16:40 to end the trip. The total walking distance is about 8 kilometers, with a cumulative climb of about 500 meters.
Transportation
Bus: Take Ping 25 Bus from Pinggu Bus Station in the center of Pinggu District (Pinggu Bus Station - Shilin Gorge) to the gate of the scenic area directly. The whole journey is about 30 kilometers, taking 1 hour, with a departure interval of about 40 minutes and a fare of about 8 yuan.
Self-driving: Starting from downtown Beijing, drive along Jingping Expressway (S32) to Xiagezhuang Exit, turn to Pingji Road and Huhei Road, and follow the road signs to reach the scenic area. The whole journey is about 100 kilometers, taking about 2 hours. The parking fee in the scenic area is 20 yuan per day for small cars and 30 yuan per day for large cars.
Tourist special line： From April to October every year, there is a tourist special line from Dongzhimen Transport Hub to the scenic area, departing at 7:30 and returning at 16:00. The one-way fare is about 40 yuan, and reservation on the official platform is required 1 day in advance.
Must-Visit Attractions
- UFO Glass Viewing Platform: With a diameter of 20 meters, a cantilever length of 32.8 meters, and a height of 400 meters from the cliff bottom, it is one of the world's larger cantilevered glass viewing platforms, allowing a 360-degree view of the entire canyon and an exciting high-altitude experience.
- The Three Wonders of Stone Forest: Including the 80-meter drop Nine-Heaven Waterfall, dozens of columnar stone forest peaks, and the majestic Northern Stone Forest, showing unique geological landscapes, suitable for photography and sightseeing.
- Canyon Exploration Area: 3 kilometers long, with One-Line Sky and several pools along the way. Hiking on the plank road allows close contact with natural landscapes, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.
Travel Suggestions
- The best travel seasons are June-August and October. In June-August, the water volume of the waterfall is large, and in October, the mountains are covered with colorful leaves, with a suitable temperature (18-28℃).
- It is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes and carry trekking poles (available for rent at the gate of the scenic area, 10 yuan per pole). Take sun protection products and sun hats in summer; mosquito repellent can be prepared in summer, and keep warm in winter.
- There may be a queue at the UFO Glass Viewing Platform. It is recommended to go there before 10 am or after 2 pm to avoid the peak; those who are afraid of heights should choose carefully.
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high. You can bring some simple meals and drinking water. The farm stays nearby are about 1 kilometer away from the scenic area with higher cost performance, and it is recommended to try the local free-range chicken and wild vegetables.
- The whole journey takes 5-6 hours on foot. For those with weak physical strength, you can choose to take the scenic area battery car (20 yuan per person for one way, 30 yuan per person for round trip) to reduce some walking sections.
Matters Needing Attention
- Sharp objects are prohibited on the glass viewing platform. Running and jumping are not allowed. You need to take off your shoes or wear shoe covers (shoe covers are provided for free).
- Some sections in the canyon are slippery, especially after rain. Please walk carefully, take good care of children, and avoid getting close to the cliff edges and water.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Picking wild animals and plants is strictly forbidden to protect the natural environment.
- Some sections may be icy in winter, and the scenic area will temporarily close some areas. It is necessary to check the real-time opening information before traveling.
- The mobile phone signal in the mountainous area is weak. It is recommended to keep in touch with companions and avoid acting alone. There are several emergency help points in the scenic area.