Pinggu Flying Dragon Valley

Pinggu Flying Dragon Valley

In the deep mountainous area of Huangsongyu Township in northern Pinggu, eastern Beijing, there lies an 8-kilometer-long north-south valley that winds its way up from low to high terrain, traversing the region. Viewed from above, it resembles a giant flying dragon lying amidst green waves, hence the name Flying Dragon Valley.

The valley is 20 meters wide at its broadest and less than 7 meters at its narrowest. With temperatures that are 3°C–5°C lower than those in the urban area throughout the year, the valley features breathtaking scenery including strange rocks, waterfalls, springs, and streams, especially beautiful in summer and autumn. Towering peaks, layered green mountains, bubbling mountain springs, and cascading streams stretch as far as the eye can see. It is truly a place where “every mountain is picturesque and every rock is unique.” In 1986 and 1989, ecological survey teams from UNESCO visited the site twice. Visitors are captivated by the charming landscape of the valley and have praised it as the “Zhangjiajie of Northern China.”

A paved road winds its way up the mountain—twisting, sloping, curving, and steep—before descending sharply into the valley floor. Though full of turns, the road is in excellent condition. Along the route, you’ll hear the gentle sound of streams and witness ever-changing mountain vistas. The slopes are covered with chestnut and walnut trees, with the occasional hawthorn tree dotting the landscape. Inside the valley flows a clear stream originating from the mountainside of the northern peak. This spring sits at an altitude of 700 meters, flows year-round without ceasing, and boasts exceptionally clear and sweet water. Visitors who stop by the stream to admire the waterfalls often feel as though mist is rising around them and a cool breeze brushing their skin. Legend has it that when Emperor Qin Shi Huang passed through this valley during his northern inspection tour, he became thirsty and, upon discovering the spring, eagerly drank from it. The moment the water touched his lips, he found it refreshingly cool and sweet, instantly invigorating him. Delighted, he named the spring “Imperial Well Spring.”

On the eastern side of the creek along the Flying Dragon Valley road, there are three elegant small isolated peaks: “Eagle Peak,” “Spirit Dolphin Peak,” and “White Silk Peak.” They rise abruptly from the valley floor, with steep cliffs and unique rock formations—some resembling an eagle with its head raised, others like a dolphin gazing at the moon, and still others featuring cliffs with cascading waterfalls. These peaks are considered both beautiful and peculiar, their stones strange and fascinating.

On the western hill near the Flying Dragon Valley stone tablet, if you look up, you’ll notice an interesting brown rock at the mountaintop. The rock is shaped with one end larger than the other—the larger end is round and bulging like a turtle’s shell, while the smaller end is slender, resembling a turtle stretching out its neck and head toward the rising sun in the east. Local legend says it is a divine turtle from heaven that once wandered into Flying Dragon Valley and, enchanted by the beautiful scenery, decided to stay. Every morning at sunrise, it would come to the mountaintop to bask in the sun and admire the view. Eventually, it transformed into this very rock.

The area surrounding Flying Dragon Valley is rich in natural landscapes and is close to attractions such as Lake Cave Water, Stone Forest Gorge, and Eastern Beijing Grand Karst Cave. During the day, enjoy the scenery in Flying Dragon Valley, and in the evening, consider staying overnight in a local farmhouse courtyard in nearby Diaowo Folk Village to savor rustic countryside cuisine.

Scenic Spot Location

Huangsongyu Township, Pinggu District, Beijing

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development