Taiyang Mountain

Taiyang Mountain

Taiyang Mountain is situated at the northeastern edge of the mining area, approximately 8 kilometers from the urban district. It spans 2.8 square kilometers in area, with 2,200 mu of land, an elevation of 612 meters, and a loess cover reaching 30 meters deep. The average annual temperature is 10°C, the annual rainfall is 568.8 millimeters, and the area receives 2,713 hours of sunshine per year, with a sunshine rate of 60% and a frost-free period of around 170 days. Surrounded by steep cliffs with only one path leading to the summit, it is referred to by visitors as the "Little Huashan of the Taihang Mountains."

The central part of Taiyang Mountain features an open terrain resembling a platform, making it the sunniest spot in the mining area and the surrounding Jingxing region, hence its name “Taiyang” (meaning “sunny platform”). Its relatively isolated geographical environment results in a good ecological condition. The fertile soil at the mountaintop leads to minimal pests and diseases among crops and livestock. Additionally, due to its higher elevation, temperatures on the mountain are 4–6°C lower than those at the foot of the mountain during the hot summer months, and 5–8°C cooler than in downtown Shijiazhuang, making it an ideal retreat for escaping the heat. In the 1970s, a backup broadcasting station for China National Radio was established here.

At the summit of Taiyang Mountain, there used to be a natural village called Taiyang Village. The village had over 30 households, with houses and roads all built from stone. Most villagers have since relocated down the mountain. The “Red-beaked Chinese Toon” trees on the mountain have a 700-year cultivation history. Thanks to the unique climate, both naturally grown and cultivated trees number in the hundreds of thousands, yielding over ten thousand kilograms annually. The toon sprouts are widely renowned and in high demand.

Complementing Taiyang Mountain’s natural environment, sunrise and sunset are also highly attractive celestial phenomena. The mountaintop offers an excellent vantage point for viewing these events.

Source: Shijiazhuang Mining District Tourism Bureau