Yesanpo Baicaopan

Yesanpo Baicaopan

Yesanpo Baicaopan, also known as Baicaopan, is located at the border between Dongjiaowu Town in Laishui County, Baoding, Hebei Province, and Beijing. It is part of the larger Yesanpo Nature Scenic Area. The main peak within the scenic area stands at an elevation of 1,983 meters, making it the highest peak in the Yesanpo region. The area is primarily visited for hiking and enjoying its natural scenery. The scenic area features beautiful mountain peaks and oddly-shaped rocks, dense forests, clear springs, waterfalls, and many other stunning natural landscapes. The environment is pristine, with highlights including the alpine meadow, sky garden, and birch forest—each worth exploring. Additionally, visitors can experience and witness unique sights such as "four seasons on one mountain," high-altitude sea of clouds, and glacial azaleas. There is a rich variety of things to see.

The Yesanpo Baicaopan Scenic Area shares its name with the Beijing Fangshan Baicaopan Nature Scenic Area. Moreover, many tourists also confuse it with the Mentougou Baihuashan Nature Reserve and the Fangshan Baihuashan Scenic Area. In fact, all these scenic areas are located within the Baihua Mountain Range, which has one main peak on the Beijing side and another on the Hebei side. The Beijing Fangshan Baicaopan Nature Scenic Area is situated at the Beijing-side main peak, and both the Mentougou Baihuashan Nature Reserve and the Fangshan Baihuashan Scenic Area are also located around this same peak—meaning three separate ticketed scenic areas on one mountain, all of which connect at the summit. The Yesanpo Baicaopan Scenic Area, however, is located on the Hebei side and is a standalone scenic area that does not connect with the other three. The famous Baihuashan Alpine Meadow is on the Beijing side and is accessible from the three Beijing-side scenic areas, but it cannot be reached from the Yesanpo Baicaopan area. The alpine meadow in Yesanpo refers to a different area, so it’s important to distinguish them before your trip.

The Yesanpo Baicaopan Scenic Area is quite large, with many attractions that can be explored on foot along the mountain hiking trails. There are two main hiking routes: the large loop and the small loop.

The large loop is the most popular route chosen by visitors. It begins at the western entrance, where you can hike or take the cable car up the mountain. Along the way, you’ll visit attractions such as Qingliang Valley, Ant Hill Ridge, and Five-Finger Peak, eventually reaching the Sky Garden, Citi Peak, and the main area of Baicaopan. From there, you descend via the eastern trail to the east exit. The eastern trail offers views such as the birch forest and glacial azaleas. The full loop is about 12.5 kilometers long and takes approximately 5–6 hours.

The small loop shares the same initial section as the large loop—you can choose to hike or take the cable car up the mountain. However, after visiting the mountaintop area, instead of taking the eastern trail, you return down the western side and exit at the western entrance. This route is about 5 kilometers in total and takes roughly 3 hours.

There are two cable car sections in the scenic area, located at Ant Hill Ridge and Citi Peak. Each cable car ride takes about 15 minutes one way and can save you nearly an hour of uphill hiking. It’s highly recommended to take the latter section—the Citi Peak cable car—because the climb up Ant Hill Ridge is manageable with your initial energy, but the latter section is much more strenuous to hike. Additionally, the cable car ride offers great views of the forest below.

The western area is common to both the large and small loops and includes attractions such as Qingliang Peak, Ant Hill Ridge, Wind-Moving Rock, Red Birch Forest, and Five-Finger Peak. Among these, Ant Hill Ridge and Wind-Moving Rock are particularly famous. At Ant Hill Ridge, you’ll find massive mounds of earth, over a meter high, which are actually ant nests—a truly fascinating sight. Wind-Moving Rock is a large, bun-shaped boulder about 4 meters tall that appears to balance on a single point. It looks as though the slightest breeze could make it move, making it a must-see attraction.

The mountaintop area is the core part of the scenic zone, featuring attractions such as the Sky Garden and alpine meadow. However, note that the grass here is quite tall and there are few flowers—it is not the same as the floral-rich Baihuashan Alpine Meadow in Beijing. The mountaintop offers extremely expansive views, often with sea of clouds on both sides, creating a magnificent spectacle. The weather here is also highly changeable, and you can often experience the magical phenomenon of “four seasons on one mountain and different weather within ten miles.”

The eastern area is only visited on the large loop and includes attractions such as Eternal Spring, Birch Forest, Azalea Grove, Waterfall, Chicken Crow Valley, and Dripping Water Cliff. The birch forest here turns a beautiful golden yellow in autumn, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Along the trail, you’ll also find the most famous wonder in the Baicaopan Scenic Area: during April and May, while the ground at the base of the azalea grove is still covered with melting glacial ice, clusters of blooming azaleas emerge, creating the spectacular “Glacial Azaleas” view. It’s a must-see if you’re visiting during this time.

Accommodation and Dining:

1. Outside the scenic area entrance, there are several farmhouse accommodations that offer both lodging and meals. Room prices generally range from 50–100 RMB per night, with varying conditions—some have private bathrooms and showers. Meals can also be taken at the farmhouses. Prices are slightly higher than outside, but still reasonable compared to typical tourist areas.

2. If you plan to visit other attractions within the Yesanpo area, it’s recommended to stay in Sanpo Town. The town offers a range of hotels and farmhouses at various price points, and its location—nestled between mountains and water—makes it conveniently central to all the scenic spots. During summer evenings, the town comes alive with fireworks, sky lanterns, and bonfire parties by the river, creating a lively atmosphere. These accommodations also provide meals, with local specialties such as farm-style dishes, river fish, and whole roasted lamb being particularly popular. Prices are generally affordable, so it’s worth trying them.

Special Tips:

1. The climate at Baicaopan is highly changeable, and the mountaintop is usually cold in the early morning, evening, or on rainy and cloudy days. It’s best to bring warm clothing to prepare for the chill. In summer, even on sunny days, the mountaintop can be very sunny and hot, so pack layers, a sun hat, and sunglasses for sun protection.

2. There are several rest areas and souvenir shops within the scenic area, but prices are higher than outside. It’s advisable to bring your own snacks and drinking water before starting your hike.

Address: Beibianqiao Village, Jiulong Town, Laishui County, Baoding City

Type: Forest, Geological Landform, Mountain, Waterfall

Recommended Visiting Time: 3–5 hours

Phone: 0312-4552132

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

Opening Hours:

7:00-18:00

Ticket Information:

The Baicaopan Scenic Area ticket is 60 RMB, and the Yesanpo Scenic Area combo ticket is 150 RMB.