Shidu Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Fangshan District, Beijing, bordering Hebei Province in the southwest. It is situated on the northeast side of the northern extension of the Taihang Mountains and the northwestern mountainous area of the North China Plain, 80 kilometers away from the urban area. It is the only large-scale karst landform scenic area in northern China, a national 4A-level tourist attraction, and a Chinese national geopark.
The practical area of Shidu Scenic Area is 301 square kilometers, making it the largest natural scenic area in Beijing. It starts from Yidu Village in the east, ends at Dashadi in the west, reaches Sanqing Cave in the north, and extends to Gaoliang Mountain in the south, about 40 kilometers long from east to west and 25 kilometers wide at the widest point from north to south. The highest altitude in the scenic area is Dawa Jian at 1,210.8 meters, the second highest is Niujiao Mountain at 1,176.94 meters, and the lowest point is Zhangfang at 84.2 meters.
The scenic area is named after the ten crossings formed by the Juma River flowing eastward through this area. It has beautiful mountains and clear waters, steep valley walls, green peaks, high vegetation coverage, and a wide variety of wild animals and plants, being a municipal-level natural reserve for wild aquatic animals.
History and Culture
Shidu has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Li Daoyuan, a famous writer in the Northern Wei Dynasty, described the scenery of Shidu in his work Commentary on the Waterways Classic. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Shidu several times and left eight poems praising the scenery of Shidu. Historical figures such as Yao Guangxiao and Fu Ruojin also praised the scenery of Shidu.
The scenic area has many historical and cultural relics, including ancient city sites, ancient battery sites, ancient buildings, ancient tunnels, and cliff carvings, which have precious historical value. In addition, Shidu also has rich folk culture, and there are many popular folk legends about the origins of landscapes such as the Old Man's Face, Yixiantian (a narrow strip of sky), Bat Mountain, and Stone Man Peak.
Main Attractions
Gu Shan Zhai (Lonely Mountain Village)
Gu Shan Zhai is located opposite Liudu Village and is a grand canyon about 10 kilometers long. Here, the canyon is deep, and there are many waterfalls, with famous landscapes such as "Yixiantian" (a narrow strip of sky) and the "Waterfall Group". "Yixiantian" is a narrow canyon about 100 meters long and 80 meters high, with vertical stone walls on both sides, only allowing one person to pass through. Sunlight shines through the gap, creating a unique scene. The Waterfall Group is composed of multiple waterfalls of different sizes, with turbulent water and splashing water flowers, presenting a magnificent view. The scenic area also has geological wonders such as ancient riverbeds and stone-in-stone, making it a good place for science education and geological investigation.
Donghu Gang
Donghu Gang Scenic Area is famous for its numerous waterfalls and pools. The Sandie Waterfall has a drop of more than 100 meters, which is very spectacular. The scenic area has many peculiarly shaped mountain cliffs, such as Husband and Wife Peak and Chang'e Accompanying the Golden Cicada. The cloud ladder built on the rock wall is steep and dangerous, and climbing it gives a very broad view. In addition, the water surface here is relatively wide, where you can play with bamboo rafts, and there are projects such as a beach bathing place and beach volleyball.
Juma Paradise
Juma Paradise is an attraction mainly for entertainment. It has mechanical projects such as the Sky Flyer and the Disco Big Turntable, as well as water-based entertainment projects such as speedboats and water unicycles. You can also experience the bungee jumping project by the river, which is a good place for brave people to challenge themselves.
Xianxi Mountain
Xianxi Mountain Scenic Area has many natural and cultural landscapes, such as karst caves, waterfalls, and streams. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery here and also experience activities such as mountain climbing and hiking to feel the charm of nature.
Xianfeng Valley
Xianfeng Valley has the magical "Flying Stone" and geological wonders such as "Concentric Algae" and "Stone-in-Stone". The valley has peculiar peaks, dense vegetation, and murmuring streams, with very beautiful scenery, making it a good place for leisure vacations and sightseeing tourism.
Delicacies
Iron Pot Stove Fish
Iron Pot Stove Fish in Shidu is a local signature dish, mainly using Wuchang fish as the ingredient. The fish are freshly killed and of large size. They are stewed in an iron pot with the secret soup of the restaurant, resulting in a particularly fragrant taste. The fish meat is tender and flavorful, making you more and more addicted. It can also be paired with ingredients such as kidney beans, white radish, tofu, and lotus root slices, which absorb the soup and are extremely delicious.
Farmer's One-Pot Dish
This is a typical farm dish. A large pot contains ingredients such as chicken, pork ribs, kidney beans, and potatoes. Each ingredient is stewed until very soft and fully flavored. Paired with pancake pieces, it has a rich taste and a strong flavor, making you very satisfied.
Roast Whole Lamb
Using high-quality local lambs, after special marinating and roasting techniques, the roasted whole lamb has a golden and crispy skin, tender and juicy meat inside, and a full aroma, being a good dish for entertaining relatives and friends.
Wild Vegetables
Shidu area is rich in wild vegetable resources, such as more than 100 kinds of edible wild vegetables like Overlord Grass and wild grapes. These wild vegetables are rich in nutrition, have a unique taste, and have a strong local flavor. Common cooking methods include cold salad and stir-frying.
Tickets
The ticket prices of the scenic area vary depending on the attractions and projects.
Tickets start from 49 yuan.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "十渡景区" in WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is generally open throughout the year, and the opening hours are usually from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 or 6:00 in the afternoon. However, the specific opening hours may be adjusted due to factors such as seasons and weather. For example, during the summer tourist season, the opening hours may be appropriately extended; in winter, some attractions may be closed due to weather reasons. It is recommended that visitors check the official website of the scenic area or call the consultation phone in advance to understand the latest opening time information before going to the scenic area.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Route: If time is tight, you can choose Juma Paradise in Badu as the main tourist point to experience exciting projects such as bungee jumping and speedboats and feel the thrill and fun of Shidu; then go to Donghu Gang Scenic Area in Shidu, enjoy natural landscapes such as the Sandie Waterfall along the canyon trail, and also play and relax in the water park.
Two-Day Tour Route: On the first day, visit Gu Shan Zhai Scenic Area in Liudu, go deep into the canyon to explore geological wonders such as "Yixiantian" and watch the waterfall group; in the afternoon, go to Juma Paradise in Shidu to play some entertainment projects, and enjoy the sunset scenery by the Juma River in the evening. On the second day, go to Xianxi Mountain in Shidu, climb the mountain to enjoy the scenery and visit the karst cave; then go to a nearby farmyard to taste special food and experience rural life.
Three-Day Tour Route: On the first day, visit Gu Shan Zhai and Juma Paradise, with the specific itinerary the same as the first day of the two-day tour. On the second day, visit Donghu Gang Scenic Area. In addition to enjoying natural landscapes, you can also experience water projects such as bamboo rafting; in the evening, you can participate in a bonfire party near the scenic area to feel the lively atmosphere. On the third day, go to Xianfeng Valley Scenic Area, walk in the valley to enjoy the peculiar peaks and streams, and then visit the surrounding villages to learn about the local folk culture and customs.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take Bus No. 836 from Tianqiao in Beijing directly to Shidu; you can also take the subway to Suzhuang Station on Fangshan Line first, and then transfer to Bus No. F17 and other buses to Shidu.
- Train: There are trains from Beijing West Railway Station to Shidu, with the train number 6437, departing every morning. After arriving at Shidu Station, you can take the local ferry bus or take a taxi to each scenic area.
- Self-Driving: Starting from Beijing, you can go through the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway (G4), exit at Liutao Road, and then go to Shidu via Liutao Road, Fangyi Road, etc.; you can also take the Beijing-Kunming Expressway (G5), exit at Laishui West, and then reach Shidu via Zhangzhuo Expressway, Fangyi Road, etc.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Gu Shan Zhai: Featured by unique geological wonders and spectacular waterfall groups, the "Yixiantian" landscape is amazing, making it an excellent place to understand karst landforms.
- Donghu Gang: With the huge drop of the Sandie Waterfall and many peculiarly shaped peaks, it has rich water projects, allowing visitors to enjoy the fun of playing in the water while admiring the beautiful scenery.
- Juma Paradise: The bungee jumping project here is a signature experience of Shidu, and there are also various exciting entertainment facilities and water-based entertainment projects, suitable for tourists who pursue excitement and joy.
Tour Tips
- Summer is the peak tourist season in Shidu, with a large number of tourists. If you want to experience water projects such as rafting, it is recommended to book tickets and projects in advance to avoid queuing.
- There are many mountain roads in the scenic area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes for convenient walking and mountain climbing.
- If you choose to stay, you can choose farmhouses or resorts in the scenic area, which can not only enjoy the quiet rural atmosphere but also facilitate visiting each attraction.
- During the tour, pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, and do not damage natural landscapes and ecological vegetation.
Notes
- When experiencing exciting projects such as bungee jumping and rafting, strictly follow the instructions of the staff, take safety protection measures, and ensure your own safety.
- There are wild animals in Shidu Scenic Area, such as snakes and scorpions. Pay attention to observing the surrounding environment during walking and touring to avoid being injured.
- When visiting Shidu in summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures, and carry items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and mosquito repellent.
- If you go by self-driving, pay attention to driving safety on mountain roads, control the speed, and obey traffic rules, especially be careful on curves and steep slopes.