Cuanbai Scenic Area

Cuanbai Scenic Area

Cuanbai Scenic Area is located in Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Beijing, covering a total area of 46.6 square kilometers. In 2009, through the integration of regional resources, Zhaitang Town officially established the Beijing Cuanbai Scenic Area Management Center and opened it to the public. The scenic area includes the well-known First Batch of China's Historically and Culturally Famous Villages — Cuan Di Xia, the Stone Village of Western Beijing — Shuang Shitou, the Military Music Village — Bai Yu, and the Traditional Residential Village — Huang Ling Xi.

Cuanbai Scenic Area is a holiday and leisure destination that represents ancient village culture. It holds multidisciplinary historical and cultural research value in terms of historical relics, architecture, aesthetics, sociology, and more. It is a treasure of northern Chinese architectural art and has been awarded titles such as National Cultural Relics Protection Unit, China’s Most Valuable Ancient Village for Tourism, China’s Outstanding Tourism Destination, First Batch of China’s Historically and Culturally Famous Villages, and Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Site by the Ministry of Construction, the National Cultural Heritage Administration, UNESCO, and the Beijing Municipal Government.

Cuanbai Scenic Area

Cuanbai Scenic Area boasts rich historical and cultural heritage, including ruins of old villages from the Ming Dynasty, murals from the Qing Dynasty, victory bulletins from the First Sino-Japanese War, ruins of houses burned by Japanese troops during World War II, anti-Japanese sentry posts, slogans from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, as well as ancient roads, wells, temples, and stages. These elements allow visitors to feel the weight of history. Strolling through the area is like savoring a fine vintage wine.

Currently, over 400 local families reside in Cuanbai Scenic Area, with more than 100 registered folk tourism households. After enjoying the scenery, you can stay in Ming and Qing dynasty-style residences to experience the charm of ancient homes and century-old folk culture, taste farmhouse meals, enjoy fresh spring tea, and shop for local specialties. At night, gaze at the starry sky and transcend time and space. In the early morning, wake up to birdsong, greet the sunrise, walk along mountain trails with dew on your feet, and leave behind the restlessness of daily life to restore inner peace.

Each season in Cuanbai Scenic Area is beautiful — feel the poetic charm of ancient homes in spring, enjoy the refreshing coolness in summer, be enchanted by the autumn harvest in the mountains, and capture the serene beauty of snow-covered landscapes in winter.

China’s Historically and Culturally Famous Village — Cuan Di Xia

Cuan Di Xia is located in western Beijing, 90 kilometers from the city center. The village was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and remains the most completely preserved ancient residential complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Built against the mountain and centered around Long Tou Shan, the 76 exquisitely designed quadrangle courtyard homes are arranged in a fan shape along the north-south central axis, descending the mountain slope and spreading out flexibly on the limited foundation. The overall layout of the village is rigorous, harmonious, and varied, resembling a gold ingot when viewed from above.

Cuan Di Xia is also called Chuan Di Xia. Before 1958, it was called Cuan Di Xia. During the simplification of Chinese characters for official seals, it was changed to Chuan Di Xia for ease of engraving. The character “Chuan” here has no actual meaning but is phonetically similar to “Cuan.” Now, to restore the original cultural and historical identity, the name has been reverted to Cuan Di Xia.

The large cluster of quadrangle courtyards is situated on the northern slope of the mountain valley, following the terrain and undulating with the slopes. The buildings vary in size — larger where the land is wide, smaller where it is narrow. Building materials are sourced locally, using stone where appropriate and tiles elsewhere, all set against verdant mountains and valleys, bright sun, and light clouds. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the glamour of the capital, it is a perfect place to find peace and quiet.

The Meaning of the Character “Cuan”

1. According to the historical text Shuowen Jiezi: “Cuan” is explained as being beneath the stove, where the fire blazes, meaning to ignite a cooking fire.

2. The 1998 edition of the Modern Chinese Dictionary published by The Commercial Press, page 216, records: ① To cook: as in “fen cuan” (to separate cooking duties) or “fen ju yi cuan” (to separate households and cooking). ② Stove: as in “zhi cuan” (to tend the stove). ③ (Cuàn), a surname.

3. In Cuan Di Xia, “Cuan” means stove.

The character “Cuan” has 30 strokes. Those who can write it write it properly, while those who can’t end up writing a blur (meaning all the strokes run together). To make it easier to write and remember, villagers created a mnemonic: the top part of the traditional character “Xing” (joy), the middle like the character “Lin” (forest), with the character “Da” (big) below and fire burning underneath — the bigger the fire, the more the forest burns, and the stronger it gets.

The Homes of Common People — Huang Ling Xi Village

Huang Ling Xi was once called Huang Long Xi. The village is laid out in a “人” (person) shaped structure, with green mountains, clear waters, and deep pools. These landscapes have nurtured generations of Huang Ling Xi residents. Originally an agricultural community, the local people are hardworking, simple, and hospitable, having preserved many traditional farming tools and household items. In today’s era of reform and rural revitalization, the village has themed its tourism around “The Homes of Common People,” establishing fossil exhibitions, farming tool museums, and household item exhibits. It also runs a farmhouse canteen and has formed a red song performance troupe. Visitors can enjoy red song performances while tasting authentic farmhouse cuisine. Come to Huang Ling Xi, this ancient mountain village, to fully experience folk life.

The Stone Village of Western Beijing — Shuang Shitou Village

Shuang Shitou Village is located beside the Ancient Road of Western Beijing. The village is shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings when viewed from above and is named after a pair of giant rocks in the valley. Stone culture is everywhere here, just as the song goes: “Stone mills, stone mortars, stone walls, houses built atop stones, stone gates welcome guests from afar, and weddings take place in stone rooms.” The village features curious rock formations and landscapes such as Mandarin Duck Stones, Sister Stones, Twin Hanging Stones, and Lovers’ Stones.

Military Music Village — Bai Yu Village

This is a typical military household village. One kilometer north of the village lies the Tianjin Pass (also known as Tian Jing Pass). Throughout various dynasties, fortifications were built here and garrisons stationed. Though the pass can no longer be used, the stone walls still stand. In the Ming Dynasty, military commanders were appointed to guard the area. The Tianjin Pass, built in the second year of the Ming Jing Tai era (1451), included the main fortress, the outer bailey, and the northern gatehouse with official quarters. Until the late Qing Dynasty, there were still “additional non-commissioned officers and troopers stationed here.” According to the Record of Wan Prefecture, the name Bai Yu (or Bai Yu) Village came about because no vegetation was allowed to grow within ten li of the Great Wall, so soldiers were ordered to burn the hills year after year. As a result, the once lush groves of cypress and elm trees disappeared, leaving only the name Bai Yu (Bai Yu) Village recorded in texts.

Attraction Location

Zhaitang Town, Mentougou District, Beijing

Transportation

Bus Route: 150 meters west of the Apple Park subway station, take the 929 Branch bus directly to Cuan Di Xia Village. There are two round trips per day: departing Apple Park at 7:30 AM and 12:40 PM (please confirm with the conductor), and returning from Cuan Di Xia at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Additional buses are available during golden week holidays.

Self-driving Route:

Take Fushi Road — turn right at Shuangyu Intersection in Mentougou District — follow National Highway 109 — exit at the 84.9 km mark and drive 5 km further to reach the destination.

Lianshi Road (Lianhua Bridge) — turn right at Mentougou Shimenying Roundabout — Shidan Road — National Highway 109 — exit the highway at the 84.9 km mark, then drive 5 km to reach the destination.