Yudu Mountain

Yudu Mountain

Yudu Mountain is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Located in the mountains northwest of Yanqing County, the Yudu Mountain Nature Scenic Area spans an area of over 100 square kilometers. A road called Yuhai Highway connects it to National Highway 110. Nestled deep in the mountains, the area sees few visitors, boasting stunning scenery and a tranquil environment. It is a lesser-known virgin land in the Beijing area; it preserves nature’s most pristine green memory; it is the best choice for modern people seeking to return to nature. It is a hidden jewel in the mountains, sharing our modern aspiration—the highest realm of "harmony between man and nature."

The beauty of Yudu Mountain lies in its complete ensemble of mountains, rocks, forests, springs, waterfalls, flowers, and grasses, while its ethereal feeling stems from its purity, serenity, quietness, and wildness.

I. General Natural Geography

The area borders the valleys of the Houhe and Gucheng rivers to the south, stretches from the 2,241-meter-high Haizi Peak—the second highest peak in Beijing—to the west, and extends to Longqing Gorge to the east, covering an area of over 100 square kilometers with elevations ranging from 580 to 1,589 meters. The developed section comprises its core and most essential parts, about 58 square kilometers.

This area is part of the Yanshan mountain range's residual hills, specifically the Jundu Mountains, located at the western end of the Yanshan subsidence zone. Its terrain mainly consists of valleys, mid-mountains, and valley erosion terraces. There are two rivers in the region: one flows from Yudu Mountain to Sancha River, and the other from Wulipo to Sancha River. Both originate in the Haizi Mountain area and converge at Sancha River before flowing into Longqing Gorge. Due to the granite fissures in the Haizi Mountain area and the dense upstream vegetation, the fractured bedrock holds abundant groundwater, resulting in relatively large river volumes that continue year-round, even during dry seasons, thanks to spring replenishment.

Owing to favorable hydrological conditions, minimal human activity, and a closed-off environment, this area supports lush and diverse plant life. According to surveys by Capital Normal University and Forestry University, the dominant trees are mixed broadleaf species in the valleys, primarily consisting of pine, birch, mountain poplar, Liaodong oak, linden, and Beijing lilac. The shrub layer mainly includes mountain elm, two-tone bushclover, hazelnut, thorny hazel, spirea, buckthorn, mountain peach, brambles, and mountain apricot. The herbaceous layer is mainly composed of mixed grass communities, along with some bramble and shrub combinations. The vegetation coverage here is high (up to 100% around Yudu Mountain), with a wide variety of species and healthy growth, making it a natural botanical garden of northern plants.

Wildlife is also abundant. According to data compiled by the Biology Department of Capital Normal University, there are 184 species of vertebrates, including over 20 species of mammals, 125 species of birds across 11 orders and 29 families, 16 species under national key protection, 14 species under key protection in Beijing, and 16 species under general protection in Beijing.

The climate here is a typical mountain climate with distinct vertical distribution. Due to the high elevation, temperatures are lower than those near the county town, daily temperature ranges are greater, and precipitation is higher.

II. Scenic Spot Introduction

The area can be divided into five natural scenic zones.

1. Yudu Mountain Area:

Also known as "Yiduo Mountain," Yudu Mountain is a small isolated hill no more than 20 meters high, with an elevation of 860 meters. Its flat-topped summit is covered with shrubs, measuring only 20 meters in length and 7.8 meters in width. The rock type is conglomerate. Though not tall, the mountain is extremely steep, rising abruptly from the ground. Atop the mountain once stood a small temple called "Jade Emperor Temple," now in ruins with only wall foundations and broken bricks remaining. The surroundings of Yudu Mountain are lush and green, forming a world of vegetation. The vegetation is excellent, and the mountain stream at its base flows year-round without freezing in winter. The pebbles in the stream are well-rounded, and flowers bloom continuously in spring, summer, and autumn. With its verdant mountains, clear waters, birdsong, and floral fragrance, it offers a serene valley landscape where mountains, water, and forests blend perfectly.

The ancient pine trees here are particularly notable. Beside the ruins of the mountain gate at the summit stands a towering ancient pine over 20 meters high with a trunk diameter of nearly one meter. On the steep cliff to the south of the mountain, another ancient pine leans outward with a lush, green crown. These two pines are known respectively as the "Guest-Greeting Pine" and the "Guest-Bidding-Farewell Pine." Opposite Yudu Mountain (facing the mountain gate, 100 meters away), three ancient pines stand equidistant from each other in a straight line, earning them the name "Three Incense Sticks."

2. Northwest Valley and Southwest Valley:

The rock type is conglomerate, shaped by river erosion. Mountain streams flow year-round, and the valley floor alternates between exposed rocks and sedimentary layers, causing the water flow to appear and disappear intermittently, sometimes above ground and sometimes below. The vegetation is dense, with coverage exceeding 95%, and includes a full range of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Major plants include pine, poplar, birch, mountain poplar, Liaodong oak, mountain apricot, mountain peach, hazel thickets, spirea, buckthorn, and brambles. There are also rare plants such as Phellodendron amurense, water elm, and medicinal plants. Notably, in the Northwest Valley, there is a section of exposed rock where the valley is narrow and the slope steep, with sheer cliffs on both sides creating a majestic atmosphere. At the bottom of the valley, a pool is recessed in the rock, holding clear water with aquatic plants growing in it. Above the pool is a steep ledge that can form a waterfall when water levels are high, making it a great spot for a picnic. Additionally, hiking up the Northwest Valley also provides access to climb Mount Haituo, with a less steep slope and shorter distance compared to starting from Songshan.

3. Lujiahe South Valley

Stretching about 15 kilometers, the western section has a wide valley floor through which the Houhe River meanders, dotted with well-rounded pebbles of varying sizes and colors—large white ones resemble a herd of lying sheep from afar. The eastern section, within Longqing Gorge, has a narrow valley floor with numerous scenic spots. Little Solitary Mountain: East of Gaojiahe Village stands a tower-like isolated conglomerate hill formed by river erosion, about 10 meters high and resembling a pagoda rising from the ground. Shuangsong Temple Ruins: East of Gaojiahe Village lie the ruins of Shuangsong Temple, originally built in the Ming Dynasty, destroyed in wartime, and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Backed by Qinglong Mountain and home to two pine trees in its courtyard, it was named "Qinglong Mountain Shuangsong Temple." Remnants include three headless stone Buddha statues, one stone stele, and a 20-meter-long wall foundation. Opposite the temple ruins stands a steep, pyramid-shaped mountain with an imposing presence and an upright stone cone at its summit, offering a spectacular view. Teapot Mountain: Southeast of Shuangsong Temple is a teapot-shaped mountain. In summer, when viewed through the misty valley, its delicate beauty resembles southern mountain landscapes. Legend says that during the construction of Yingmeng Temple, there was no water nearby, so workers had to carry water and mud up the mountain. One day, an old woman carried two teapots of water on a straw pole to help mix the mortar. Someone joked, “This is ridiculous—how can two teapots of water mix mortar? Throw them into the West Valley!” As soon as the words were spoken, the straw pole snapped, one teapot landed where Yingmeng Temple would be built, and a clear spring flowed from the temple, while the other teapot fell onto a rocky mountain and turned into the peak now known as Teapot Mountain.

4. Wulipo:

This is a fault-block uplifted mountainous area with elevations between 800 and 1,600 meters. The area has a low average annual temperature, low evaporation, high relative humidity, and abundant water resources. The eastern carbonate rock zone features steep terrain with well-developed gorge valleys and sparse vegetation. The southern quartz sandstone zone has deeply weathered rocks, deep soil layers on the shady slopes with high moisture content and rich humus, supporting good vegetation growth with leaf litter reaching 4–10 cm. The sunny slopes have poorer soil, more rocky debris, coarser texture, less moisture, and mostly shrub or herbaceous vegetation with lower coverage. The northwestern andesite outcrops are mostly bare rock zones. Near the gullies, calcium-cemented gravel, after weathering, scatters across the slopes, where vegetation is mostly shrubbery, mainly spirea and herbaceous plants, with coverage generally between 20% and 30%. There are four scenic spots in this area: the former site of the Pingbei Military Sub-district Command, Crystal Stone Mountain, Lilac Valley, and Erlong Mountain.

Crystal Stone Mountain is located on the western slope of Wangcaodi in the southern part of Wulipo, at an elevation of 1,200 meters. The rock type is quartz sandstone. Due to subsequent geological changes under high temperature and pressure, quartz crystals grew larger, forming many new quartz crystal clusters. These well-crystallized quartz formations develop in clusters but no large crystals have been found. Individual crystals are only the size of broad beans, varying in color, mostly white and transparent, offering certain ornamental value.

Lilac Valley is located southwest of Wulipo Village, where the strata consist of interbedded Jurassic sandstone and andesite. The geological structure is complex with many faults, and the valley walls feature asymmetrical rock types, forming a fault zone. The north side of the valley is higher than the south, with the southern cliffs showing extensive horizontal striations. The northern side is steep, with sunny slopes being steep and shady slopes gentle, forming a cuesta. The valley floor contains many large boulders, some up to 3–5 meters in diameter, scattered chaotically. The stream appears and disappears intermittently, and the slopes have relatively good vegetation, mainly shrubs. A large number of lilac trees grow here, filling the air with their rich fragrance during blooming season.

Erlong Mountain is located about 1.5 kilometers south of Wulipo and consists of two isolated, very steep peaks that resemble two dragon heads from a distance, hence the name. At the valley floor is a “Stone Gate” about 10 meters high with straight sides. The slopes are densely vegetated, mainly with cyclobalanopsis, wolf willow, Liaodong oak, elm, abelia, bushclover, and cornus.

5. Wulipo to Sancha River Valley:

The stretch from Wulipo to Sancha River Valley is a limestone canyon. The river originating near Wulipo flows through the canyon, passing Wulipo and Sancha River before joining Longqing Gorge. Visitors can follow the river downstream from Wulipo through the valley to Longqing Gorge. This canyon section is about 10 kilometers long, with a narrow valley floor and steep surrounding peaks, dotted with peak forests, peak clusters, isolated peaks, and stone cones. Gentle slopes and terraces are covered with dense secondary forests.

Scenic Area Rating: 2A

Scenic Area Category: Natural

Opening hours: Early May to November

Address: North of Yuhuangmiao Village, Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing County

Phone: 69199362 69190280

Price: 60 RMB/person, no additional charges

Transportation

By car: Take the Beijing–Lhasa Expressway to Yanqing County, then follow National Highway 110 and Gulong Road, proceeding according to the signs for Yudu Mountain Scenic Area

By bus: Every 5 minutes, a bus departs from the Deshengmen Arrow Tower to Yanqing County, then transfer to Bus 920 Loop Line to Yudu Mountain