Shilin Gorge in Jingtong

Shilin Gorge in Jingtong

Shilin Gorge in Jingtong is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Shilin Gorge is located 20 kilometers northeast of Pinggu District and is the core scenic area of Huangsongyu Geopark. It gets its name from the four steep and elegant stone forest peaks within the valley. The scenic area stretches 6 kilometers in length, covers an area of 12 square kilometers, and features over 50 attractions of various sizes. The five major characteristics of Shilin Gorge—stone, gorge, water, peak, and forest—create a unique landscape, each with its own distinctive charm. The four main highlights of Shilin Gorge include admiring the Nine Heavens Waterfall, viewing the northern stone forest, exploring the scenic views of perilous peaks, and seeking out the Three Wonders of the Stone Forest.

Shilin Gorge is situated in Pinggu District, approximately 70 kilometers northeast of downtown Beijing. Covering an area of 12 square kilometers, it is an internationally ISO double-certified enterprise and a national AAA-level tourist attraction. The gorge is named for its towering, upright mountain peaks that stand like a forest of stone. Highlights include admiring the northern stone forest, viewing the Nine Heavens Waterfall, exploring the perilous peaks of the gorge, and seeking out the Three Wonders of the Stone Forest. The stone forest here is tall and steep, with each piece standing upright. Huge and peculiar rocks are scattered throughout the valley, while lush forests, ancient pines, and strange cypresses grow vigorously. The long, quiet gorge is serene and beautiful, dotted with nine waterfalls and eighteen pools, resembling a vivid natural painting. It boasts the majestic grandeur of the north as well as the delicate beauty of the south. There are eastern and western sections of the stone forest, both breathtaking. From a distance, they appear grand and imposing, while up close, their diverse shapes and vibrant colors captivate the eye—some resemble giant brushes reaching for the sky, others like jade shoots piercing the air, some like forests of spears and halberds, and others like lions marching into battle. There are also figures resembling graceful maidens, monkeys gazing at the moon, dragons coiled around pillars, and elephants emerging from the mountains, all stunningly beautiful. A poem praises it: “Had I known the stone forest existed in the south, I would have realized how little I had read.”

Scenic Features

- First, the valley is filled with steep, upright peaks resembling a stone forest. A poem praises it: “Had I known the stone forest existed in the south, I would have realized how little I had read.”

- Second, the Nine Heavens Waterfall is a four-tiered waterfall, with the highest tier dropping over 40 meters and the total drop exceeding 80 meters. The waterfall cascades down with great momentum, its sound echoing powerfully through the valley.

- Third, the cliffside hanging cypresses. The cliffs in Shilin Gorge are high and steep, with countless cypress trees and other species growing horizontally out of the cliffs. Their trunks jut out from the rock faces, and their roots cling to the stone walls, defying wind and rain—an amazing sight.

- Fourth, the massive rocks. The gorge is scattered with huge boulders, some weighing over 1,000 tons. These rocks either stand precariously on high cliffs, inspiring awe, or sit on slopes as if about to topple. Some lie in the valley like reclining oxen or giant rhinos, while others sit in the middle of paths, offering amusing spots to sit and rest.

- Fifth, the perilous gorge. The narrowest part of the canyon is only 6–7 meters wide, like a slit in the sky, making the experience thrilling.

- Sixth, the spiritual pools. There are over ten pools in the valley, their waters flowing year-round. Like a string of beautiful pearls, they add endless charm to Shilin Gorge.

Formation Reasons

Shilin Gorge belongs to Pinggu District and is located at the junction of the southern foothills of the Yanshan Mountains and the northern edge of the North China Plain. In terms of China’s geological structure, it is part of the Yanshan Subsidence Zone of the North China Platform. About 1.85 billion years ago, during the early Changcheng Period of the Mesoproterozoic era, the crust in the entire Yanshan region split east-west and subsided, forming a rift trough. Shilin Gorge is situated within this rift trough. Over time, this trough deepened and expanded, and seawater invaded from east to west, submerging the entire area of the geopark. Huangsongyu Geopark became an ocean. The mud, sand, and carbonate materials carried by the seawater were deposited in the coastal and shallow sea areas of the park. Over time, these sediments formed quartz sandstone, shale, and dolomite.

Around 1.4 billion years ago, the crust of the Yanshan Subsidence Zone rose, and the seawater gradually receded. After this period of crustal uplift, Huangsongyu Geopark finally ended its marine evolutionary history and began its terrestrial development. In the following years, it experienced multiple intense tectonic movements, the most powerful of which was the Yanshan Movement about 160 million years ago—a significant tectonic event in China’s eastern geological history. The Yanshan Movement further altered the ancient strata of the geopark, which had been subjected to weathering and erosion, leading to the development of three sets of vertical joints in the quartz sandstone. The rocks fractured in complex patterns. Gradually, isolated peaks of varying sizes, heights, and shapes formed, creating the unique sandstone peak forest landscape seen today.

The Three Wonders of the Stone Forest

China’s No. 1 Drum

The Three Wonders of the Stone Forest

The China’s No. 1 Drum of Shilin Gorge has a diameter of 90 cm, a length of 105 cm, and weighs 400 kilograms. It is made of pure copper and was meticulously cast by artisans from Jiangsu over forty-nine days. Transporting the drum from the foot of the mountain to the top took 40 people a full month—an extraordinary effort. Whether in terms of casting craftsmanship, size and weight, location, drum quality, or sound volume, it is truly a wonder of China, hence its title as China’s No. 1 Drum.

Olympic No. 1 Gong

The Olympic No. 1 Gong of Shilin Gorge was specially made to pray for and cheer on the 2008 Olympics. The gong has a diameter of 2008 mm, is made of pure bronze, and produces a deep, resonant sound that echoes powerfully through the air.

Ancient and Modern No. 1 Bell

The Ancient and Modern No. 1 Bell of Shilin Gorge is a finely cast replica of ancient bianzhong (chime bells). It consists of five bells with diameters of 23.6 cm, 26.54 cm, 29.8 cm, 33.5 cm, and 37.7 cm, capable of playing the F major scale with the notes 6712356712. The sound is crisp and melodious. Compared to ancient unearthed instruments, its craftsmanship is so precise it could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Its size and weight are also rarely seen in history, earning it the title of Ancient and Modern No. 1 Bell.

Address: No. 73, Diaowo Village, Pinggu District

Type: Gorge, forest, geological landscape, mountain, waterfall, lake, river

Rating: AAAA

Recommended visiting time: 4–6 hours

Phone: 010-60987678

Official website: http://www.jdslx.com

Opening Hours:

The scenic area has entered its winter fire prevention period and will be closed to the public from November 22, 2017 to January 31, 2018. It is recommended to call the scenic area in advance or check the official website announcements.

Transportation

Bus Route: Take bus 918 Express 1 from Dongzhimen to Pinggu District Hospital, then transfer to local bus 25 and get off at Shilin Gorge.

Driving Route 1: Take Jingmi Road – turn at Shunyi Kuliu Tree Roundabout – head toward Pinggu – after reaching the 918 Bus Terminal in Pinggu County, turn left at the fork outside – take Laopingjilu Road – turn at Huzhuang Intersection – continue in the direction of Huangsongyu Shilin Gorge to arrive.

Driving Route 2: Take Airport Expressway – head toward Terminal 3 and get on the Jingping Expressway (about 40 minutes) – exit at Mishan Road, turn left in the direction of Miyun (about 15 minutes) – turn right at Changjin Intersection in the direction of Jinhai Lake and Jixian County (about 25 minutes) – turn left at Huangsongyu Shilin Gorge Intersection (about 10 minutes) to arrive. Drive 8 km north from Huzhuang to reach Shilin Gorge Scenic Area.

Ticket

The ticket price is 78 RMB per person. Groups of 30 or more receive a 5 RMB discount per person (not applicable to seniors and children). Seniors with a senior citizen ID and students with a student ID can purchase tickets at half price.