Qianling Mountain

　　Qianling Mountain derives its name from gathering the essence of heaven and earth and the vitality of the sun and moon. It is situated at the eastern foot of Ma'anshan Mountain, within Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District, approximately 30 kilometers from the center of Beijing. The scenic area covers a planned area of 12.5 square kilometers. Its main peak, Jile Peak, stands at an elevation of 699 meters, making it the highest mountain in southwestern Beijing. The area boasts a long-standing Buddhist culture and is home to the largest cluster of grotto temples in Beijing. For centuries, the mountain has been a thriving site of Buddhist activity, dotted with numerous Buddhist structures. The valleys are filled with caves of various sizes, which have served as secluded retreats for Buddhist monks since the Sui and Tang dynasties. These sites have left behind many relics such as Buddha statues, stone inscriptions, pagodas, and stone wells, chronicling both the hardships and glories of Qianling Mountain.

　　Beyond its rich Buddhist grotto culture, Qianling Mountain also features captivating cultural landscapes that are thought-provoking. Throughout history, numerous poets and scholars have expressed their emotions and aspirations here. The poetry of Ming Dynasty writer Wang Chongjian (“No Leisure on the Road”) and Qing Dynasty calligraphy and painting master Pu Xinyu (“One Night of Autumn Rain Brings Cold”) captures the ruggedness of the mountain paths and the splendor of its scenery. Contemporary calligraphy masters such as Ouyang Zhongshi, Li Duo, Ma Xiang, Ding Jiageng, and Fu Yupeng have all contributed inscriptions to Qianling Mountain. Their flowing brushstrokes convey reverence and admiration for the mountain, celebrating the vibrant present of this Buddhist sacred site.

　　Riding the longest sightseeing cable car in Beijing, you can take in the unique natural beauty of overlapping mountain ranges and competing peaks. The area harmoniously blends ancient caves, peculiar rocks, greenery, and waterfalls, fully showcasing the serenity of the forest, the tranquility of ancient paths, the fragrance of mountain flowers, and the charm of birdsong. While relaxing, you can immerse yourself in this natural oxygen bar, experiencing human civilization and the subtleties of Buddhist philosophy.

　　While enjoying the natural scenery and cultural landscapes, you can also experience the allure of science-themed tourism. The scenic area features Beijing’s only “strange slope,” and to help more people understand the traditional lime-burning process, Wangzuo Town has established Beijing’s first lime kiln heritage park on the site of an abandoned kiln.

    In 2003, the Wangzuo Town government invested heavily in the comprehensive development and renovation of Qianling Mountain. The refurbished Qianling Mountain has become a renowned scenic area that combines natural and cultural landscapes, characterized by its Buddhist grottoes, making it an ideal destination for leisure, fitness, and exploration.

        Historically known as Jile Peak, Qianling Mountain is located in the northwestern part of Wangzuo Town on Ma'anshan Mountain. Its main peak stands at an elevation of 699 meters, making it one of the highest peaks in the suburbs of Beijing. From the summit, you can overlook the entire cityscape of Beijing; on clear days, you can also see the southwestern Ma’er Mountain, as well as the northwestern Bai Cao Pan, Bai Hua Shan, Lao Long Wo, and Qing Shui Jian.

        To the north, you can clearly see the distant famous mountains over 1,000 meters above sea level, including Yangtai Mountain, Miaofeng Mountain, and to the northeast, Linlong Mountain, Lotus Mountain, Phoenix Tuo, Hei Tuo Mountain, and Yunmeng Mountain. This makes Qianling Mountain the best peak in the Beijing suburbs for distant views (the peak of Dongling Mountain is obscured by the Baihua Mountain–Lao Long Wo–Qing Shui Jian mountain ridge, but from October to April each year, when Dongling Mountain is covered in snow, it can be easily distinguished from the aforementioned ridges).

        At the foot of the mountain lies Shenxian Valley, where the mountain hollows are filled with 18 caves of varying sizes, forming the largest cluster of Buddhist grottoes in the Beijing area. Notable caves include Guanyin Cave, Chaoyang Sanhui Cave, Jile Cave, Sun Bin Cave, Guan Gong Cave, Caishen Cave, Laoye Cave, and Xiao Guanyin Cave. Qianling Mountain has a long Buddhist history and profound cultural heritage.

　　Qianling Mountain Opening Hours

　　7:30-17:30 (last entry at 16:00) March 16 - April 15

　　7:00-19:00 (last entry at 17:00) April 16 - August 31

　　7:30-16:30 (last entry at 15:00) September 1 - November 15

　　8:30-16:00 (last entry at 15:00) November 16 - March 15

　　Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development