Xiayunling National Forest Park

Xiayunling National Forest Park

Xiayunling National Forest Park is a national-level forest park.

Xiayunling National Forest Park is located in Xiayunling Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, approximately 74 kilometers from downtown Beijing. It is a natural scenic tourist area integrating vacationing, leisure, and wellness.

The park spans a total area of 218 square kilometers, with a maximum north-south distance of 15 kilometers and an east-west distance of 40 kilometers, and has a forest coverage rate of over 72.53%. It enjoys a mild climate, beautiful environment, and unique landscapes, boasting abundant scenic resources.

There are 645 species of terrestrial plants across 103 families and 138 species of wild animals. It is also the birthplace of the red anthem — "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China" — giving it high value for tourism, science education, and patriotic education.

Within the scenic area, Baimapeng is the main peak of Baihuashan, standing at an elevation of 2,161 meters, making it the highest peak in southwestern Beijing. The scenic area covers 19.2 square kilometers with a forest coverage rate of 82%. It features alpine meadows covered in blooming flowers, fresh air, a serene environment, and a cool, pleasant climate, with summer temperatures 8–16 degrees lower than those in central Beijing.

Beijing Xiayunling National Forest Park is the only tourist attraction in the Beijing area where you can drive all the way to a mountain summit over 2,000 meters above sea level. Major attractions include eight sights on the mountain and eight at the foot, as well as sightseeing agriculture, a 5,000-mu kernel apricot base, ten thousand mu of pine forests, flower gardens, and fruit-picking gardens.

Scenic Area Overview

Xiayunling Township in Fangshan District, southwestern Beijing, is renowned for its vast mountainous areas, high forest coverage, and beautiful ecological environment. It is said that from an aerial view, Xiayunling Township has the best ecological conservation in North China. The area is rich in plant resources. According to the 2004 forest resource survey, the forested area covers 15,800 hectares with a forest coverage rate of 72.53%, predominantly consisting of natural secondary forests, all designated as special-use forests. On January 9, 2006, Xiayunling Township officially received approval from the State Forestry Administration to be designated as "Beijing Xiayunling National Forest Park." The entire 218-square-kilometer township is included within the park, making it the largest forest park in North China.

The landscapes of Xiayunling Forest Park are known for being "spectacular," "unique," and "perilous." It is a vast ocean of mountains, lush and boundless, resembling an ever-changing sea — majestic and rugged. The mountains are covered with forests, while the foothills are dotted with fruit trees. During the rainy season, clear mountain springs flow through the valleys. The mountain area boasts abundant plant resources, with over 1,500 plant species. It also features various precious Chinese medicinal herbs and forests distributed along altitudinal gradients: Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forests, Platycladus orientalis forests, shrub forests, Pinus tabuliformis forests, mixed Pinus tabuliformis and Quercus liaotungensis forests, larch forests, and birch forests. A particularly unique sight is the ancient natural pines atop Baimapeng, scattered among the birch forests. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 70 ancient pines marked with plaques, all several hundred years old, hence called the "Thousand-Year-Old Pines." These ancient pines hold both high ornamental and scientific research value. Additionally, in the shrubbery area of Xiongwangbei in Tangshang Village, many ancient trees are entwined by century-old kiwi vines, with sprawling branches and twisted roots, resembling a tropical rainforest. The area’s unique peaks and dense forests create distinctive scenic spots, such as the “Natural Tianshan of the Capital” — the Baimapeng Natural Scenic Area, and the perilous ancient mountain stronghold — the “Triangle City” Natural Scenic Area, among ten uniquely featured scenic areas. The foothills are home to a wide variety of fruit trees, including Red Tangshan Pear, walnut, persimmon, hawthorn, crabapple, chestnut, apricot, and sour jujube. Above 1,850 meters lies subalpine meadow with over 100 species of wildflowers such as Potentilla fruticosa, wild poppies, and lilacs. There are also nearly 200 species of wild vertebrates, including those under national key protection such as the fish-eating bat, leopard, brown eared pheasant, black stork, golden eagle, serow, and koklass pheasant. In addition, there are numerous invertebrates such as insects, among which the ant mounds found between 1,200–1,500 meters in altitude are particularly unique.

Eight Sights on the Mountain

Lilac Spring, Moon Viewing from Pavilions, Dawn at the Summit, Graceful Five-Finger Peak, Sea of Clouds and Mist, Lights of the Capital, Thousand-Year-Old Pines, and Hundred Grasses on the Plateau.

Eight Sights at the Foot of the Mountain

Rocks Falling from the Sky, Pine Sea and Forest Waves, Thousand Ant Mounds, Prehistoric Relics, Roc Spreading Its Wings, Mystical Cave and Immortal Path, Pine Forest Round City, and Mother and Child Worshiping the Dragon.

Scenic Area Attractions

Including the eight sights on the mountain and the eight at the foot, there are 106 named attractions.

Composition of Attractions

According to historical records, Xiayunling was called Xialing during the Ming Dynasty and later renamed Xiayunling. It earned its name because the peaks rise dramatically on both the eastern and western sides of the park, often casting colorful clouds and misty light. Established during the Yan State of the Warring States period, the region has a history of over two thousand years, eventually forming Xiayunling Township. In March 2002, based on the area’s vast land and abundant forest resources, the township government decided to develop forest tourism. After efforts, it was officially approved as Beijing Xiayunling National Forest Park by the State Forestry Administration in December 2005.

Southern Garden, Northern Region, One Sightseeing Belt: The Southern Garden features typical karst landforms, with stone forests above ground and caves underground. The Northern Region allows you to drive directly to the summit — the first peak in southwestern Beijing — Baimapeng, which has subalpine meadows covered in blooming flowers and is known as the “Northern Stone Forest, Capital Tianshan.” There is also a green sightseeing belt rich in agricultural products such as thin-shelled fragrant walnuts, Dragon King Hat kernel apricots, Yunling persimmons, Imperial Tribute Red Summer Pears, Dahongpao peppercorns, and more. Woody vegetables include red-leg Chinese toon and crown daisy. Ecological forests consist of planted species such as Pinus tabuliformis, Platycladus orientalis, and larch, while natural secondary forests include oak, mountain poplar, and white birch. There are hundreds of species of wild animals, dozens of which are under national key protection, including the Asian Greater Horseshoe Bat — a fish-eating bat — discovered in Asia for the first time. A long history has given rise to unique culture and folk customs. Tangshang Village, the birthplace of the lyrics and melody of "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China," was listed as a Beijing Patriotic Education Base in 2001. Fangshan–Laishui–Zhuozhou’s first Party branch was established in Shangshibao Village within the park. Rich cultural heritage blends seamlessly with the magical natural scenery, forming a “Green Sightseeing Corridor and Red Tourism Destination.”

Northern Stone Forest: Located in the Southern Garden, this geological site features uniquely shaped rock formations such as tower-like, wall-like, slab-like, and table-like structures, resulting from physical weathering dominating over chemical weathering. These colorful, spectacular karst mountain landscapes embody the characteristics of being “majestic, perilous, unique, surreal, and beautiful,” representing the northern karst mountain landscape of China. Xiayunling National Forest Park

Capital Tianshan: Centered around the main peak of Baimapeng, it features a subalpine meadow stretching about 20 kilometers and home to over 290 species of flowers. Over 50 types of shrubs form “tree-shaded tunnels” that release large amounts of negative oxygen ions. The well-preserved peak cluster landform creates picturesque views of canyons, peak clusters, and ancient caves.

Greater Horseshoe Bat: Inhabiting the Bat Cave within the park, it is a unique bat species in China and has been confirmed as another fish-eating bat after the Mexican Hairy-Lipped Bat and Sonoran Horseshoe Bat.

Tangshang — Birthplace of "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China": Located in Tangshang Village, Xiayunling Township. Comrade Cao Huoxing composed "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No China" here in October 1943. After the founding of New China, Chairman Mao renamed it "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China." A memorial museum was built in 2006.

Tourism Information

Admission

50 RMB

Opening Hours

Open all day

Transportation

Bus Routes – National Forest Park

1 Every Saturday and Sunday, Bus No. 917 goes directly to the Baicaopan Scenic Area.

2 Take Bus No. 917 from Tianqiao (or Liuliqiao) to Fangshan, then transfer to the Fangshan–Xiayunling minibus to reach the park directly.

Self-Driving Routes

1. Beijing–Shijiazhuang Expressway → Liangxiang Airport → Wangsan Road → National Highway 108 → Xiayunling;

2. Beijing–Shijiazhuang Expressway → Yan Village Exit → Yandong Road → National Highway 108 → Xiayunling;

3. Beijing–Shijiazhuang Expressway → Liulihe → Shidu → Puwa → Tangshang → Xiayunling.

Xiayunling Township: 1. Geographic Location: Located at the foot of Baihua Mountain in southwest Beijing, Xiayunling Township is 89 kilometers from downtown Beijing. The famous National Highway 108 runs through the township for 44 kilometers. It borders Hebei Province, with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters, and enjoys convenient transportation. 2. Ecological Environment: The township covers a total area of 218 square kilometers, comprising 15 administrative villages and a population of 10,170. It has 178,000 mu of forested land, 130,000 mu of grassland, and over 400,000 fruit trees. The forest coverage rate exceeds 60%. The area is rich in mineral resources such as coal and stone, and boasts fresh air and a pleasant environment. Natural scenery… Detailed information about Xiayunling Township++