Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area

Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area

Destination Introduction

Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area is located in Ganjianyu Village (Gully) at the western foot of Hongluo Mountain in Huairou District, Beijing. It is 5 kilometers from downtown Huairou and 3 kilometers from the ancient Hongluo Temple situated on the eastern side of Hongluo Mountain. The scenic area spans a total of 10 square kilometers.

Hongluo Mountain is located at the southern edge of the Yanshan Mountain Range and the northern end of the Beijing-Tianjin Plain. Ganjianyu Village (Gully) was one of the key ancient routes used by ethnic minorities from northern China to enter the plains in front of the mountains via the Qilian Pass and Shentangyu Pass of the northern section of the Great Wall. It served as both a strategic military passage and a battleground contested by armies throughout history. As a result, the northern entrance of this pass was guarded by Changyuan Fort, while the southern entrance was fortified by Hongluo Stockade. According to the Yuan Dynasty “Notice Stele” unearthed at Hongluo Temple, shortly after establishing the capital in Beijing, the Yuan rulers renamed Hongluo Stockade to Hongluo Town and stationed heavy troops there, further highlighting the significance of this route. The Huairou County Annals from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty recorded: “To the north of the capital, all are fine mountains, yet most are dwelling places of Buddhist monks, with Hongluo Mountain’s Daming Temple being the most flourishing.” Daming Temple on Hongluo Mountain refers to the present-day Hongluo Temple. As an open monastery that did not take disciples or enforce precepts, Hongluo Temple served as a learning center for wandering monks studying Buddhism. Therefore, starting from the Liao and Jin dynasties, a cluster of small temples and shrines—branch sites under Hongluo Temple—began to form along this ancient vital passage in Ganjianyu Village (Gully). The county annals from the 32nd year of the Ming Wanli era recorded: “This region has twenty-four temples and seventy-two hermitages.” Today, aside from numerous temple ruins, Ganjianyu also features cultural relics such as the “Heavenly Bridge,” cliff carvings, stone quarries built during the Qin Shi Huang era for border construction, and charcoal production sites dedicated to the imperial palace.

Following the principle of “restoring the old as it was, protecting while developing,” Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area has restored key cultural sites such as the Liberation Pond, Shanxi Nunnery, Chaoyang Temple, Tianxi Nunnery, and Sanhuang Temple on the original ruins in Ganjianyu (Gully). It also incorporates the ancient cultural concepts represented by the “Three Sovereigns” and other ancient Chinese sages, thereby enriching and extending the Buddhist culture of Hongluo Temple. This fusion has created a distinctive tourist and cultural experience where exoteric Buddhism from the Hongluo Mountain area intertwines with traditional Confucian culture. Moreover, the ecological scenic area harmoniously blends natural and human landscapes, embodying the ancient ideal of “unity between man and nature.” The ancient architectural complexes nestled among the mountains are embraced by bamboo groves, pine and cypress trees, or babbling brooks. Each spot offers serene surroundings and profound Zen vibes, recreating the idyllic Buddhist retreats once carefully chosen by eminent monks.

The ecological environment of Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area is well-preserved, with lush forests covering over 82% of the mountainous terrain, creating an elegant and pleasant natural setting. The vegetation mainly consists of mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, dominated by Chinese pine, Liaodong oak, Mongolian oak, chestnut, and pear trees. Local fruit-picking gardens featuring chestnuts and pears cover an area of 5 square kilometers. Historically abundant in mountain springs with crystal-clear, sweet-tasting water, the area earned the name “Ganjianyu” (Sweet Stream Gully). The numerous year-round flowing springs have contributed to the formation of a rare wetland in the Beijing area. In spring and summer, the wetlands burst into brilliant yellow blooms. This pristine environment fosters rich and diverse flora and fauna. To this day, locals continue to forage for wild lingzhi mushrooms in the dense high-altitude forests behind Chaoyang Temple, adding an extra touch of “spirit” to the already beautiful landscape.

With its well-preserved ecological environment, stunning natural scenery, and profound cultural heritage, Hongluo Huiyuan Valley Ecological Scenic Area serves as an idyllic “Shangri-La” where people can escape worldly noise, cultivate mindfulness, honor ancestors, and practice Buddhism.

Temple Introduction:

Chaoyang Temple: One of the larger temples in the scenic area. Originally built during the Ming Wanli era and reconstructed in the 6th year of the Qing Xianfeng reign, the temple earned its name “Chaoyang” (Facing the Sun) due to its high elevation, backed by mountains and facing the sunrise. It enjoys early sunlight and late sunset, along with a pleasant climate.

Tianxi Nunnery: The temple faces south. Surrounded by a tranquil, cool, and picturesque environment, it is named after the stream that flows just outside its gate. Visitors here are said to receive blessings from the “Three Stars” (Fu, Lu, and Shou), praying for good fortune, career success, and a fulfilled life of happiness.

Sanhuang Temple: The main hall has three rooms dedicated to the worship of the Heavenly Sovereign Fuxi, the Earthly Sovereign Shennong, and the Human Sovereign the Yellow Emperor. The eastern and western walls feature murals depicting “Shennong Tasting Herbs” and “The Yellow Emperor Battling Chiyou.” The east and west side halls each consist of two rooms, enshrining Laozi, Confucius, Jiang Ziya, and Zhuge Liang, with murals illustrating ancient Chinese historical figures.

Shanxi Nunnery: Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the nunnery is embraced by dense pine and cypress trees, offering a serene and scenic atmosphere. The main hall enshrines the Autonomous Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy). The two-room east side hall is dedicated to the Six-Armed Guanyin, while the two-room west side hall is home to the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. Legend has it that Guanyin once revealed herself here.

Address: Ganjianyu Village, Huairou Town, Huairou District, Beijing (near Shengquan Temple Scenic Area)

Phone: 010-89601286; 010-89601388

Official Website: http://www.hlhyg.com/

Ticket: 25.00 RMB