Holy Lotus Mountain Scenic Area

Holy Lotus Mountain Scenic Area

Holy Lotus Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

Holy Lotus Mountain (also known as Shengmi Shitang Lotus Mountain) is located among the rugged mountains in the northwest of Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing, at an altitude of 930 meters. It is a gathering place for Taoism.

Holy Lotus Mountain features steep terrain, majestic beauty, deep valleys and murmuring streams at the foot, towering peaks and sheer cliffs along the ridges, ever-changing clouds and mist on the summit, lush forests, and ancient trees reaching to the sky. Temples, pavilions, and towers are nestled among dense foliage. The mountain paths are uniquely picturesque, stretching between ancient temples, and collectively showcase grandeur, peril, mystery, uniqueness, and beauty, earning it the reputation as the “Little Five Sacred Mountains of Western Beijing.”

Introduction

A national AAAA-level scenic spot and municipal geological park. Located in Shijiating Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, about 90 kilometers from downtown Beijing, it is a large-scale tourist destination integrating historical and cultural heritage with human landscapes, and is hailed as the “Number One Marvelous Mountain of the Capital.”

The Holy Lotus Mountain scenic area follows the Taihang Mountain range and was historically called Taishan. Due to the entire mountain resembling a lotus shape, it is named “Holy Lotus Mountain.” Originally built during the Tang Dynasty and flourishing in the late Qing Dynasty, temples were constructed along the cliffs, blending Buddhism and Taoism to create a unique cultural identity. According to records, it was honored as one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of the Capital Region” during the Ming Dynasty but was later damaged due to wars. In 2000, the various historical sites were restored to their original appearance, and modern service facilities such as Mongolian yurts and star-rated hotels of various styles were built in the leisure area of the scenic zone, covering an area of 48 square kilometers. On June 18, 2004, when it officially opened to the public, it successfully hosted the 10th Fangshan Tourism and Culture Festival.

Holy Lotus Mountain stands at an altitude of 1030 meters and has a warm temperate, semi-humid, and semi-arid continental monsoon climate, with distinct seasonal characteristics. Summers are cool and pleasant, while winters bring mist that veils the welcoming pines, with an average temperature of 10°C. July is the hottest month, averaging 24°C. Vegetation is distributed vertically, including temperate broadleaf forests, hornbeam thickets, and vitex shrubs, especially prominent in Jiulong Valley Ecological Gully. Wildlife includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, with species such as the serow, dhole, red fox, red-footed falcon, vulture, and golden eagle being nationally protected animals. To facilitate the exploration of unique geological formations, the scenic area has established a municipal geological park comprising six sightseeing zones: a comprehensive service area, typical geological formation viewing area, “Shengmi” viewing area, cave exploration area, surface karst landform viewing area, and cultural landscape area. Major attractions include the mountain gate, Shenniu Ridge, Buddha’s Chair Mountain, Zebra Stone, Three Touch Water, Sandalwood Tea House, Worship Platform, Jiulong Valley, Cuiping Peak, Twenty-Eight Zigzag Path, Swallow Flip, Pantaogong Palace, Jiulian Cave, Sanqing Hall, Ancient Zhen Hall, Da-, Baxian Cave, Tianjie, Cai Yixian Tomb, Lady Li’s Residence, Changchun Cave, Guan Di Shrine, Western Mountain Goddess, Tongtian Cave, Summer Snow Viewing Spot, Changxing Temple, Ten Thousand Immortals Cave, Holy Water Cave, Shengmi Shitang, Wangxiang Pavilion, Nantian Gate, Hundred-Mile Reclining Buddha, Holy Lotus Pagoda, Ancient Mill House, Apricot Forest Pagoda Courtyard, Xiaoyao Valley, Natural Bridge, Yanwangye’s Nose, Horse-Drying Platform, ancient pines, and welcoming pines.

Scenery of Holy Lotus Mountain

“The aura of Taoism meets the radiance of Buddhism, with majestic peaks, unique stones, and sacred waters.” This is the true portrayal of Holy Lotus Mountain. At Nantian Gate, one peak divides into two temple complexes, representing the realms of Buddhism and Taoism. As early as the Ming Dynasty, Buddhism established palaces and temples here, known as Shengquan Temple. Legend says that the patriarch Mahakasyapa attained enlightenment by consuming sacred rice and drinking sacred water from Shengmi Shitang, making Buddhism very prosperous at the time. Taoism also settled here, later constructing Pantaogong Palace on the northern side of the back mountain of Shengquan Temple, commonly known as the North Temple. The abbot of the temple was skilled in medicine, and the sacred water from the Holy Water Cave was believed to cure all illnesses and prolong life, thus gaining great fame. Pilgrims, worshippers, and those seeking medical treatment came in endless streams. It flourished especially during the Republican era, attracting dignitaries and renowned artists who spared no expense to build villas within the temple grounds, with some ruins still remaining today. Structures such as Pantaogong Palace, Shengquan Temple, and Guan Di Shrine, along with numerous scenic spots, have re-emerged in the midst of the peculiar peaks and serene valleys.

The exotic charm of Mongolian yurts; the tranquility and simplicity of traditional Chinese courtyard homes; the classic upturned eaves and ornate beams of antique-style theaters where you can enjoy various performances and even showcase your own talents. When night falls, the starlight above mingles with the lights of the scenic area, creating a mesmerizing scene that leaves visitors enchanted and uplifted.

Holy Lotus Mountain is a marvelous, sacred mountain retreat far from the hustle and bustle, pollution, and worries of daily life. With first-class service facilities, it eagerly awaits visitors from China and abroad.

Admission Guidelines for Holy Lotus Mountain Holiday Resort

① Scenic area opening hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

② Child ticket: 30 RMB per person for those over 1.2 meters tall; free for those under 1.2 meters

③ Senior ticket: 30 RMB per person for those over 60 years old with valid ID

④ Military and teacher ID holders enjoy discounted price of 30 RMB per person

⑤ Ticket note: Tickets include access to all scenic spots in the area, but do not include the cable car. Cable car is 25 RMB one-way per person, 40 RMB round-trip per person. ⑥ Ticket pick-up location: Scenic area – ticket office

⑦ Scenic area address: Liulinshui Village, Shijiating Township, Fangshan District, Beijing

Attraction location

Liulinshui Village, Shijiating, Jia-Shi Highway, Fangshan District, Beijing

Shijiating Township: Shijiating Township is located in the southwest of Beijing, in the northwestern mountainous region of Fangshan District, 65 kilometers from the district government. It borders Mentougou District to the northwest, neighbors Da’anshan and Fozizhuang Townships to the east, and connects to Xiayunling Township to the south. The township covers a total area of 110 square kilometers, comprising 12 administrative villages with a total population of 10,117. The area lies on the southeastern foothills of the Baihua Mountain Range of the Taihang Mountain System, with higher terrain in the west and lower in the east. The land is rugged with numerous valleys and gullies, and the mountain ranges generally run northeast to southwest. The highest point is Baihua Mountain at 1991.18 meters, and the lowest is in Liulinshui Village at 39... Detailed information on Shijiating Township++