Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area

Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area

The Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area is located in Dalongmen Village, Jiulong Town, Laishui. The area features towering mountain peaks, steep cliffs that rise high into the clouds, and valleys with rushing streams and gushing springs, creating especially spectacular scenery. Since ancient times, this has been a vital transportation route from the capital to the northern frontier and a strategic military location contested by armies. The Jin, Ming, and Qing dynasties all regarded this place as a military stronghold and stationed heavy troops to guard it. As a result, the scenic area has many cultural relics and historic sites that have been preserved to this day. Existing attractions such as the “Dalongmen Fortress,” “Caishuyan Great Wall,” and “Cliff Inscriptions” are all key cultural heritage protection units of Hebei Province.

The Shangtiangou area resembles a heavenly paradise. Within the valley, nine waterfalls cascade down dramatically, with the Tiandeng Waterfall dropping from a height of 40 meters, presenting a majestic sight. Eighteen clear springs are scattered like pearls among the landscape, and tens of thousands of acres of pristine secondary forests are lush and green, teeming with abundant flora and fauna. Walking into Shangtiangou, visitors are greeted by mountain springs, ancient trees rooted around rocks, and suspended walkways, creating a fairy-tale-like experience.

The Dalongmen Fortress was originally an important pass on the “inner border” of the Ming Great Wall and was hailed as the “throat of the territory.” Here, three peaks stand side by side, forming a shape like a gate. It was historically a passage from the capital to the northern frontier and a strategic military location contested by armies.

According to the "Commentary on the Water Classic," before the Tang and Song dynasties, this place was called “Shengren City” and served as a key fortress town between the Central Plains and the northern frontier, having endured numerous wars. During the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt as a major military site. Starting from the Jiajing era, it was guarded by the “Imperial-appointed Chief Commander of Dalongmen Pass,” and this system continued into the Qing Dynasty until it was abolished during the Guangxu era. The well-preserved Dalongmen Fortress and city gates, along with the ruins of surrounding military facilities, still reveal a complete ancient fortress defense system.

About 1 kilometer northwest of the Dalongmen Fortress lies the Longmen Gorge, where peaks on both sides compete in beauty, and steep cliffs rise high into the clouds. The valley is filled with rushing streams and gushing springs, making for particularly magnificent scenery. The cliffs on both sides of the gorge feature over 20 inscriptions and calligraphic works, depicting the rugged magnificence of the mountain passes and the beauty of the rivers and mountains. Most are written in running or cursive scripts and are authentic works left by military officers stationed at the pass during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The brushwork is bold and free-flowing, making them rare treasures. Among them, “Ten Thousand Ren Heavenly Pass” and “A Thousand Peaks Standing in Tribute” are the most eye-catching, with characters measuring 2.7 meters in height. Experts have confirmed that this is the largest collection of cliff inscriptions in North China and it is hailed as a “corridor of historical culture.”

Ticket: 30 RMB per person

Guide fee: 100 RMB per day

Tour duration: 3 hours

Jiulong Town: Jiulong Town is located in the mountainous region of western Hebei, in the northern part of Laishui County (central coordinates: 115°29′38″E, 39°50′03″N). It borders Zhuolu to the west, the Sanpo Tourist Area to the south, and adjoins Beijing to the northeast, east, and southeast. The town covers an area of more than 230 square kilometers, includes 30 autonomous villages, and has a population of over 15,000. The area is rich in forest resources, with forested land spanning 5.59 million mu, barren hills totaling approximately 281,000 mu, and a forest coverage rate of 31.77%. Two provincial highways run through the town—one stretching from north to south, connecting National Highways 108 and 109... More details about Jiulong Town++