Beijing Qipan Mountain Scenic Area

Beijing Qipan Mountain Scenic Area

Beijing Qipan Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Qipan Mountain Scenic Area is located in Wayao Village, Liucun Town, Changping District, Beijing, situated in the southwest of Changping District, at the junction with Haidian, Mentougou, and Hebei Province, and is part of the Taihang Mountain range. From Qipan Mountain, one can overlook the layout of the ancient Wayao Village, which resembles a "precious gourd" — a feng shui pattern reflecting the wisdom of ancient settlers. The area is renowned for its Taoist temples and ancient Buddhist sites (where Buddhism and Taoism coexist), the simple folk customs of the ancient villages in the suburbs of Beijing, as well as its lush mountains and deep valleys, exotic-style villas, and cultural and creative zones.

Legend has it that on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month each year, immortals would play chess here, leaving their pieces as stones and the board as the mountain, hence the name. Aerial views of Qipan Mountain show its flat summit resembling a giant chessboard.

The scenic area lies in the low mountainous and hilly region north of Miaofeng Mountain. The highest peak in the southern part of the village is Matou Mountain, which stands at 514.9 meters above sea level, while Qipan Mountain is 312 meters high. From the top of Qipan Mountain, you can see the main peak of Miaofeng Mountain. Wayao Village has a long history and rich folk culture, with legends such as “The Founding of Wayao Village,” “The Legend of Matou Mountain,” “Goddess Nüwa and Anzipo,” “Qiantuozhi and the Golden Pigeon,” and “Tianxian Temple.”

During each May Day Folk Temple Fair, in addition to traditional activities such as mountain worship, congee distribution, tea serving, and steamed bun giveaways, new elements including Taoist and Buddhist events and cultural performances have been added, forming a uniquely charming and wholesome folk event in the suburbs of Beijing.

The Tianxian Temple on Qipan Mountain was first built on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in the 42nd year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1563 AD). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it enjoyed widespread folk worship and was one of the three most revered temples among pilgrims from Beijing, alongside Miaofeng Mountain’s Goddess Temple and Baiyanggou Goddess Temple.

The main hall of Tianxian Temple also enshrines the Five Yuanjun (Celestial Ladies) of Taoism: Bixia Yuanjun, the Holy Mother of Heavenly Virtue; Mingmu Yuanjun, the Holy Mother of Enlightened Vision; Baochan Yuanjun, the Holy Mother of Childbirth and Blessings; Ciyu Yuanjun, the Holy Mother of Protecting Infants; and Guangsi Yuanjun, the Holy Mother of Fertility and Virtue.

Location of the Attraction

Wayao Road, Liucun, Changping District, Beijing (within Wayao Village)

Wayao Village: Located 9 kilometers southwest of Liucun Town, … Wayao Village detailed information++