Mangshan National Forest Park

Mangshan National Forest Park

Mangshan National Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Destination Introduction

Mangshan National Forest Park is located east of the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District, approximately 40 kilometers from downtown Beijing. It is the largest national forest park in Beijing.

The mountain, named for its python-like undulating ridges, is mainly composed of sandstone and shale. The park features a wide variety of trees, with 176 species of ornamental plants. In spring, mountain peach and apricot blossoms bloom vibrantly at the summit, while flowering plum, lilac, forsythia, winter jasmine, peony, and peony bloom successively at the foot of the mountain. In autumn, maple trees, smoke trees, and oak trees display a riot of colorful foliage.

The highest peak of Mangshan Park stands at an elevation of 640 meters. As you ascend the stone steps, each step reveals a new scenic view. These steps, made up of 3,666 stone slabs, form the longest hiking staircase in Beijing—like a celestial ladder reaching into the clouds. Located halfway up the mountain is the 9.99-meter-tall, 3,000-ton Mangshan Giant Buddha, claimed to be the largest Buddha statue in North China. At the mountaintop lies an artificial lake, which is actually the Ming Tombs Pumped Storage Power Station reservoir with a water storage capacity of 4 million cubic meters—the largest artificial lake of its kind in China. After the reservoir is filled, visitors can take boat rides around the lake. In the distance, complementing the lake, stands the Mangshan Observation Tower. Said to have been built during the Ming Dynasty, this 37-meter-tall, seven-story ancient tower is constructed of brick and wood, offering panoramic views of the Ming Tombs Scenic Area and distant vistas of Beijing.

Mangshan Park is known for its five wonders. First wonder: The mountain has a rich diversity of trees and a high forest coverage rate, with 176 species of ornamental trees and 86% forest coverage. Towering ancient trees and overlapping mountain ridges create stunning landscapes of blooming flowers in spring and crimson foliage in autumn. Second wonder: It is home to the largest stone-carved Buddha statue in North China. With a benevolent expression, the Buddha welcomes visitors from all directions, surrounded by vividly carved zodiac animal statues. Third wonder: The park features the longest hiking staircase in Beijing, paved with 366 blocks of stone. Fourth wonder: At the mountaintop stands Beijing’s tallest ancient-style pagoda and a painted corridor, where visitors can gaze at the distant cityscape of Beijing and nearby beautiful landscapes. Fifth wonder: The alpine lake is the largest artificial lake in China, offering opportunities for boating and lakeside tours after the reservoir is filled.

Accommodation Information: There are antique-style courtyard houses and mountaintop hotels offering lodging, as well as tents available for camping.

Best Travel Time

The best times to visit are spring and autumn.

Transportation Information

Take bus 912 from Andingmen or bus 845 from Xizhimen to the Ming Tombs Reservoir, then walk north to reach the park.

Dining: The park has a mountaintop restaurant where you can enjoy fresh fish and game.

Entertainment: To keep pace with the rapid development of China's forest tourism industry, the park plans to build facilities such as an alpine cable car, alpine scooters, alpine paragliding, alpine wellness retreats, forest cabins, luxury hotels, and miniature replicas of world-famous dams. Once completed, Mangshan National Forest Park will offer even greater charm to domestic and international visitors as a destination integrating natural sightseeing, leisure fitness, vacation wellness, and science education.

Address: No. 2 Mangshan Road, Changping District, Beijing

Type: Forest Mountain National Park

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–4 hours

Phone: 010-60711866; 010-60713847

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

Opening Hours:

Peak season (May–October): 8:00–17:00; Off-season (November–April): 8:00–16:00.

Ticket: 20 RMB per person