Songshan National Forest Park

Songshan National Forest Park

Songshan National Forest Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Songshan Forest Tourism Area is located 90 kilometers from the city center, with an average annual temperature of around 7 degrees Celsius. It is the most intact natural ecosystem among the national nature reserves in the suburbs of Beijing, covering an area of 1,394.2 hectares. Haituo Mountain, with an elevation of 2,199.6 meters, is the second highest peak in Beijing.

The Songshan Forest Tourism Area is situated in the northwestern part of Yanqing County, within the depths of the Yanshan Mountain Range in the Jundu Mountains. During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, there was an inscription that read “lush pines and cypresses, dark green stretching across the sky.” In 1986, it was designated as a national nature reserve by the State Council. In 2000, it was rated as a municipal-level scenic area.

The total area of the reserve is 4,660 hectares, with the tourism area covering 1,394.2 hectares. In addition to large areas of natural Pinus tabuliformis forests, the area features over 30 scenic spots such as Baipu Spring, Baxian Cave, Lion Drinking, Songyue Pool, Golden Toad Gazing at the Moon, and Flying Dragon Wall, offering picturesque views from near and far. The Songshan Forest Tourism Area is primarily characterized by its natural scenery, boasting abundant and unique landscape resources. It provides visitors with the enjoyment of appreciating the grandeur from afar, the texture up close, the spirit through forms, and the tranquility to cultivate one’s mind—a blend of painting-like, poetic, and serene experiences. The tourism area enjoys a pleasant climate and is one of the cooler regions in Beijing, with an average annual temperature of around seven degrees Celsius.

The natural Pinus tabuliformis trees, which are the main conservation targets in the area, are generally 50 to 60 years old, with the oldest being over 300 years. There are also small amounts of Larix principis-rupprechtii in the deep mountains. Among the temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests, there are precious tree species such as elm, walnut, and mountain poplar. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, with over 160 species of vertebrates alone. It serves as a natural base for studying the biological evolution patterns of North China and preserves the most intact natural ecosystem in the suburbs of Beijing. The vertical distribution of plants is very distinct: below 1,000 meters are planted Pinus tabuliformis and Larix forests; between 1,000–1,600 meters are natural secondary Pinus tabuliformis forests; between 1,600–1,800 meters are oak and birch forests; and above 1,800 meters are alpine meadows. The area is also rich in medicinal plant resources, including over 100 varieties such as Eleutherococcus senticosus, Codonopsis pilosula, Bupleurum, and Ephedra.

Among the wildlife, there are over 160 species of vertebrates, including more than 20 species of mammals, over 110 species of birds, over 10 species of fish, and around 20 species of amphibians and reptiles. Nationally protected animals include the leopard, blue sheep, golden eagle, koklass pheasant, hawk, and falcon. Beneficial forest birds include the azure-winged magpie, woodpecker, long-tailed tit, hill sparrow, and cuckoo. Amphibians and reptiles include the forest frog, snake, lizard, and water turtle.

The Songshan hot springs have been famous since ancient times and are an ideal place for bathing and healing. As early as over 1,500 years ago during the Northern Wei Dynasty, they were “carved out of stone and chiseled into pools” for “ladies and gentlemen to bathe.” The people of the Qing Dynasty praised Songshan as “an excellent place to relax the body” and “a sacred land for health preservation.” The “Commentary on the Water Classic” by Li Daoyuan of the late Northern Wei Dynasty recorded: “At the top is a temple, which is the Temple of Zhongshu; to the right flows warm spring water, which can cure various diseases.” The water temperature of the Songshan hot springs is 45 degrees Celsius, with a daily output of 2,000 cubic meters. The spring water contains 27 elements such as potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron, with the fluoride ion content reaching as high as 12 milligrams per liter. It is highly effective for treating skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatoid conditions, and localized neuralgia, and continues to attract many visitors for its therapeutic benefits.

The core area of the nature reserve is dedicated to scientific research, while the experimental area is used for scientific experiments, teaching internships, and visitation. The Songshan Reserve is also a destination for vacationing, summer retreats, poetry, painting, and enjoying the charm of nature. The reserve also offers accommodation and dining facilities at various levels.

The fire prevention period runs from the end of October each year to mid-April of the following year, during which the Songshan Tourism Area is closed to the public. Visitor access resumes after April 15.

Admission Ticket

40 RMB

Opening Hours

08:00 – 18:00

Attraction Location

Songshan National Forest Scenic Area, Yanqing County, Beijing

Zhangshanying Town: Zhangshanying Town is located in the northwestern part of Yanqing County, bordering Huailai County of Hebei Province to the west. It serves as the first gateway for provinces such as Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia to enter Beijing, and is known as the “First Town of Northwest Beijing.” The town covers an area of 267.2 square kilometers, has a population of 23,000, and governs 32 administrative villages. The town boasts convenient transportation with well-developed road networks. National Highway 110, Gulong Road, and Kangzhang Road connect the northern scenic area with the Badaling Great Wall and Kangxi Grassland, forming a fast and convenient transportation network and a circular tourist belt.

Rich in tourism resources, the... More details about Zhangshanying Town++