Tuoliang Scenic Area is located in the northwest of Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, at the border of Hebei and Shanxi Provinces. It is a national-level scenic spot, a national 4A-level tourist attraction, and also the core area of Hebei Tuoliang National Nature Reserve. The scenic area is famous for its cool climate, rich vegetation and unique alpine meadow landscape, and is known as the "Roof of the Provincial Capital" and "Emerald of Taihang Mountains". The total area of the scenic area is 22 square kilometers, and the main peak of Tuoliang is 2281 meters above sea level, which is one of the five highest peaks in Hebei Province. The forest coverage rate here is as high as 89%, with 1044 species of vascular plants belonging to 481 genera and 102 families, and 169 species of terrestrial vertebrates, boasting rich biodiversity. Most of the buildings in the scenic area are antique-style, which complement the natural landscape. The main service facilities are distributed between 1200-1800 meters above sea level, facilitating tourists' rest and supply. Due to its high altitude, the average temperature in summer is only about 22°C, making it a famous summer resort in North China.
History and Culture
Pingshan County, where Tuoliang Scenic Area is located, has a long history and retains rich historical and cultural relics. However, as a natural scenic area, Tuoliang's history and culture are more related to local folk legends and human activities. It is said that in ancient times, the Tuoliang area was a meeting place for nomadic and agricultural peoples, and some ancient roads in the mountains were important commercial and military passages, with some relics still visible today.
In modern history, the Tuoliang area was an important part of the Jin-Cha-Ji Anti-Japanese Base Area. Back then, the Eighth Route Army carried out guerrilla warfare here, relying on the dangerous mountains to attack the enemy, leaving many heroic stories that are both moving and praiseworthy. Although there are no specially set historical relics in the scenic area, the local folk memories and related historical narratives have added a profound cultural heritage to this natural landscape. In addition, on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month every year, the villages around Tuoliang hold traditional temple fairs, attracting many tourists and local people, which has become an important window to display local folk culture.
Main Attractions
Tuoliang Main Peak
The main peak of Tuoliang is 2281 meters above sea level, named because the top of the mountain resembles a camel with its head held high. After reaching the top, you can overlook the magnificent scenery within a radius of 100 miles, and on clear days, you can see the main peak of Wutai Mountain in the distance. The main peak area has an open terrain, with a large area of alpine meadows. In summer, the grass is lush, dotted with various wild flowers, making it an excellent place for taking photos and viewing the sea of clouds. The hiking trail from the entrance of the scenic area to the main peak is about 10 kilometers long, and the scenery along the way changes with the increase of altitude, from dense forests to sparse meadows, giving people different visual experiences.
Baipu Gorge
Baipu Gorge is the area with the most concentrated water landscapes in Tuoliang Scenic Area, with a total length of about 5 kilometers. It gets its name because there are more than 100 waterfalls and cascades distributed in the gorge. Among them, the more famous ones are Sandie Spring, Feilong Waterfall, and Renzi Waterfall. Sandie Spring has a drop of about 30 meters, with water falling in three levels, presenting a beautiful shape; Feilong Waterfall has a drop of more than 40 meters, with turbulent water flow, making a sound like thunder, especially spectacular in the rainy season. There are gurgling streams in the gorge, and the pool water is clear to the bottom. Both sides are shaded by green trees, and the air is humid, making it a good place for summer cooling.
Yunding Grassland
Yunding Grassland is located around the main peak of Tuoliang, at an altitude of over 2000 meters, covering an area of about 5000 mu. It is a rare large-scale alpine meadow in North China. The terrain here is gentle with lush and fertile pastures. In summer, various wild flowers bloom in a riot of colors, forming a sea of flowers. There are also some low-lying shrubs and grotesque rocks scattered on the grassland, which set off the grassland landscape perfectly. Tourists can ride horses and have picnics here to experience the grassland style. On clear days, the grassland under the blue sky and white clouds is simply breathtakingly beautiful.
Qianlong Wall
Qianlong Wall is a unique rock landscape, located beside the trail leading to the main peak, at an altitude of about 1800 meters. The rock wall is about 50 meters high and 100 meters long, named because the texture and shape of the rock resemble a hidden dragon. Some tenacious pines, cypresses and shrubs grow on the rock wall, adding more vitality and mystery to the landscape. It is said that this "dragon" was transformed by the god guarding Tuoliang, and there are many legendary stories about Qianlong Wall among the local people.
Bingquan (Ice Spring)
Bingquan is a natural spring landscape located in Baipu Gorge. Even in summer, there is a small amount of ice around the spring, hence the name. The spring water gushes out from the cracks in the rocks, clear and sweet, rich in various minerals, and can be drunk directly. Bingquan is surrounded by green trees, with a quiet environment, making it a good place for tourists to rest and replenish water. Many tourists will use the spring water to chill fruits here to experience the coolness of summer.
Delicacies
Pingshan Yougui (Pingshan Oil Ghost)
Pingshan Yougui is a famous local traditional snack, which can be tasted in farmhouses and county restaurants around Tuoliang Scenic Area. It is made of flour, edible oil, salt and other raw materials, shaped like a small dough ring. After frying, it is golden in color, crispy outside and tender inside, with a salty and delicious taste. It is said that the name "Yougui" is related to an ancient pasta-making technique, with a history of more than 100 years. It is a favorite breakfast food of the local people, and tastes better when paired with millet porridge.
Yanrou Mian (Braised Pork Noodles)
Yanrou Mian is a characteristic pasta in Pingshan and surrounding areas, and is also a common delicacy in restaurants around Tuoliang Scenic Area. Its method is to cut the locally marinated bacon into small pieces, stew with potatoes, beans and other vegetables, and then pour it on hand-rolled noodles. The braised pork has a strong aroma, the noodles are chewy, the soup is mellow, and it is rich in nutrition, very suitable for replenishing energy after mountain climbing. This delicacy reflects the dietary characteristics of the local mountainous areas, and the method of making braised pork has been passed down for many years.
Shanyecai Chao Rou (Stir-Fried Wild Vegetables with Meat)
Tuoliang Scenic Area and the surrounding mountainous areas are rich in various wild vegetables, such as shepherd's purse, purslane, bitter herbs, toona sinensis, etc. Stir-Fried Wild Vegetables with Meat is a home-cooked dish of the local people. Freshly picked wild vegetables are washed, stir-fried with pork or bacon, and added with appropriate seasonings. It has a refreshing taste, with the fragrance of wild vegetables and the freshness of meat. Wild vegetables are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, with certain health-care effects, and are a good choice for tourists to experience the local original ecological diet.
Chaiji Dun Mogu (Braised Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms)
Braised Free-Range Chicken with Mushrooms is a classic dish in the mountainous areas of Hebei, and is deeply loved by tourists in the farmhouses around Tuoliang. It is made by selecting locally raised free-range chickens, paired with wild shiitake mushrooms or oyster mushrooms, and simmered over low heat. The braised chicken is tender, the soup is rich, and the mushrooms absorb the freshness of the chicken, with a very delicious taste. This dish is rich in nutrition, can provide sufficient heat for tourists after mountain climbing, and is a good product for keeping warm in winter and nourishing in summer.
Tickets
The ticket price is 65 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "驼梁景区" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours will be slightly adjusted according to the season. From April 1st to October 31st every year is the peak tourist season, and the opening hours are 7:00-18:00; from November 1st to March 31st of the next year is the off-season, during which some areas of the scenic area may be closed, and the opening hours are 8:00-17:00. It should be noted that due to the large changes in mountain weather, in case of heavy rain, strong wind, thunder and other bad weather, the scenic area may be temporarily closed or the opening hours may be adjusted. It is recommended that tourists check the official information of the scenic area or consult by phone before traveling.
Tour Routes
There are two classic tour routes in Tuoliang Scenic Area. The first one is the "Baipu Gorge - Main Peak - Yunding Grassland" route: starting from the entrance of the scenic area, first enter Baipu Gorge, and enjoy various waterfalls and streams along the gorge trail, with a total length of about 5 kilometers, taking 2-3 hours on foot; then start climbing from the end of Baipu Gorge to the main peak of Tuoliang, this section is about 5 kilometers, with an altitude increase of about 800 meters, taking 3-4 hours on foot; after reaching the top, visit Yunding Grassland to feel the alpine meadow scenery, and finally you can choose to return the same way or go down from another trail, the whole journey takes about 10-12 hours, suitable for tourists with good physical strength.
The second one is the "Sandie Spring - Qianlong Wall - Yunding Grassland" leisure route: take a sightseeing bus from the entrance of the scenic area to the vicinity of Sandie Spring, and walk to visit Sandie Spring, Qianlong Wall and other attractions, this section is about 3 kilometers, taking 1-2 hours on foot; then go to Yunding Grassland to play and rest in the grassland area, the whole journey takes about 6-8 hours, suitable for family trips or tourists with weak physical strength. Tourists can choose the route according to their own situation, and it is recommended to plan the time in advance to avoid walking in the mountains at night.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from the urban area of Shijiazhuang, take Xibaipo Expressway to Provincial Highway 202, then pass through Wentang Town, Guyue Town, and Jiaotanzhuang Town of Pingshan County to reach Tuoliang Scenic Area, with a total distance of about 150 kilometers and a driving time of about 3.5 hours; starting from Baoding City, take Beijing-Kunming Expressway to Xibaipo Expressway, then drive according to the above route, with a total distance of about 200 kilometers and a driving time of about 4 hours.
- Bus: There are buses from Pingshan County Passenger Station in Shijiazhuang City to Tuoliang Scenic Area, departing at 8:00 am every day and returning from the scenic area at 15:00 pm, with a driving time of about 2.5 hours and a ticket price of about 30 yuan per person; you can also take a bus from Shijiazhuang Urban Passenger Station to Pingshan County, and then transfer to a bus to Tuoliang after arriving.
- Tourist special line: During the peak tourist season (June-August), special tourist buses from Shijiazhuang urban area to Tuoliang Scenic Area will be opened. Tourists can take the bus at designated places, and the specific departure time and place can be checked in the official information of the scenic area.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi from Pingshan County to Tuoliang Scenic Area costs about 150-200 yuan, with a driving time of about 2 hours; you can also charter a car from Shijiazhuang urban area, with a cost of about 400-500 yuan per car (round trip).
Must-Visit Attractions
- Tuoliang Main Peak: 2281 meters above sea level, it is the landmark attraction of the scenic area. Reaching the top, you can overlook the whole view, enjoy the sunrise, sea of clouds and other landscapes, and the alpine meadow on the top is particularly beautiful in summer.
- Baipu Gorge: 5 kilometers long, with more than 100 waterfalls and cascades. Among them, Feilong Waterfall has a drop of more than 40 meters, and Sandie Spring has a unique shape, which is the essence of the water landscape in the scenic area.
- Yunding Grassland: An alpine meadow with an area of about 5000 mu, with gentle terrain and rich vegetation. In summer, wild flowers are everywhere, making it an ideal place to experience grassland scenery and relax.
- Bingquan: A natural spring with ice even in summer, the spring water is cool and sweet, and the surrounding environment is quiet, making it a good place for summer cooling and water replenishment.
Travel Suggestions
- The best travel season is June-August, when the climate is cool, the vegetation is lush, Baipu Gorge has abundant water, and Yunding Grassland is full of wild flowers, with the most beautiful scenery; from September to October, you can enjoy the autumn scenery, with layers of forests dyed, having a unique charm.
- The hiking trails in the scenic area are long. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and carry hiking poles to save energy; due to the large temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains, even in summer, you need to carry a coat.
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high. You can carry some dry food and drinking water appropriately, but you must pay attention to protecting the environment and take the garbage out of the scenic area.
- If you plan to reach the main peak, it is recommended to set off as early as possible, reserve enough time, and avoid walking in the mountains at night; tourists with insufficient physical strength can choose to take a sightseeing bus to the mid-way attractions.
- You can stay in farmhouses around the scenic area to experience the local farm life. Some farmhouses also provide characteristic delicacies at relatively affordable prices.
Matters Needing Attention
- The mountain weather is changeable. You should check the weather forecast before departure and prepare rain gear; in case of heavy rain, thunder and other bad weather, you should stop climbing immediately and go to a safe area to take shelter.
- Smoking and open fires are prohibited in the scenic area. Picking wild plants and catching wild animals are strictly prohibited to protect the ecological environment.
- During the climbing process, you must walk along the designated trails and do not enter undeveloped areas without permission to avoid danger.
- Some sections in the scenic area have steep terrain. You must pay attention to safety, take good care of the elderly and children, and avoid crowding and chasing.
- Take good care of your personal belongings and beware of theft in crowded places; carry necessary medicines such as cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, and band-aids for emergencies.
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area, take good care of public facilities, follow the guidance and arrangements of the staff, and jointly maintain the order of the scenic area.