Escape the smog on the Jingxi Ancient Road – you can still head out this weekend!

The lovely weekend is almost here, but unfortunately the weather in the capital isn’t great... If you don’t want to stay at home nor breathe the city smog, how about a trip to the Jingxi Ancient Road in the suburbs?~!

The "Jingxi Ancient Road" is not a single route, but rather a collective term for many paths that historically served commercial or military purposes. These roads spread across Mentougou District like a grid. Though they no longer bustle with the prosperity of their heyday, they still retain many historical relics. Amidst the mountains and rustic houses, one can feel an ancient charm.

The Jingxi Ancient Road consists of numerous and complex routes. Even with the same starting and ending points, there are different ways to go in between. But overall, the difficulty is relatively low, with both flat paths and rugged trails. The scenery is beautiful, full of wild appeal, and thanks to convenient transportation, you can make a round trip from downtown Beijing within a day. It’s perfect for a relaxing weekend hiking trip. Below are several main routes, though the lines between them aren’t strictly defined. You can use them as a reference, or plan your own route based on the maps and GPS tracks provided later.

Also known as the middle section of the Western Hills Highway. It starts in Mayu Village, Shijingshan District, crosses the Hun River (Yongding River), then enters Dayu Village, passes through Dongxinfang, Quanmen, Sunqiao, Tianqiaofu, Mengjia Hutong, Guanting, Fengkou’an, Huangshigang, and ends at Wangpingkou, spanning approximately27.5kilometers. About13meters long and1.5meters wide, the rocky area just over a hundred meters southwest of Fengkou’an Pass features a stunning “Hoofprint Wonder,” with over a hundred hoofprints of varying sizes and depths.

Also called the northern section of the Western Hills Highway, it runs along the Yongding River Valley and is the oldest ancient road in the Jingxi region. The Western Hills Highway starts in Sanjiadian, crosses the Yongding River, goes through Liuliqi Village, climbs Chou’erling, passes Xiehejian and Shuiyuzui, ascends Niujiaoling, then continues through Qiao’erjian, Magzhuang, Shiguyan, and Seshufen, ending in Wangping Village.

Composed of the Western Hills Highway, Yuhe Ancient Road, ancient roads along the Yongding River banks, and some branch routes, it is the most scenic and diverse part of the Jingxi Ancient Road, and also the most popular among hikers.The Wangping Ancient Road is rich in relics, including surviving hoofprint sites, the former residence of Ma Zhiyuan, Guan Di Temple, Sanyi Temple, various stone inscriptions and tablets, passes, and watchtowers. There’s also the ancient prison that once held Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty.Wangping Ancient RoadWell-preserved sections include: the Ximagzhuang section, Shifoling section, Luopoling section, Wangpingkou section,,and Fengkou’an section. Among them, the Shifoling section is particularly exceptional.,The Shifoling Ancient Road is tucked between the mountainside and mist, almost hidden from sight. The hoofprints here are denser and clearer, crafted as if by nature itself – truly breathtaking.

Starts in Xincheng, passes through Hegezhuang, Taiqingguan, Wanfotang, climbs Hongmiaoling, passes through Sangyu, and arrives at Tanzhe Temple.

Starts in Pangcun, crosses the Yongding River, then passes through Wolonggang, Shichang, Xifeng Temple, Luohuling, Dongcun, Pingyuan Village, and reaches Tanzhe Temple.

Starts in the east at Lugou Bridge, passing through Changxindian, Dongwangzuo, Shawo Village, Xinzhuang, Dahui Factory, Shifocun, then arrives at Jietansi. After crossing Xifengling, it goes through Lujia Tan, Nanxinfang, Pingyuan Village, and reaches Tanzhe Temple.

Since there is no fixed route, most hikers takeLine 1 to either Apple Park or Gucheng subway stations, then use buses from these two locations. Here are some commonly used bus lines:

929Bus Line 33 (Apple Park subway station--to Muchengjian): Goes to Jiuyuan Archway (inform the conductor that you want to get off at Jiuyuan)

Operating hours:5:50--18:30

370Bus Line 370 (Gongzhufen West--to Mentougou Quanmen): Goes to Quanmen

Operating hours:6:20--22:40

931Bus Line 931 (Tanzhesi--to Apple Park subway station): Goes to Tanzhesi and Keluotuo

Operating hours:6:00--18:00

385Bus Line 959 (Tianshunzhuang--to Dahuichang): Goes to Dahuichang

Operating hours:5:00--21:00

△Dongshiguyan – Jiulongshan – Fengkou’an – Wangjiapo – Tanzhesi, fromLZ Foot user @DuZhou, track code 28794

△Sanjiadian – Canwang Tower – Liushulin – Mentoukou Village – 370 Quanmen Station, from LZ Foot user @onejt, track code 25497

△Wangping – Quanmen, from LZ Foot user @DouDizhu, track code 18287

The above three routes can be viewed by downloading the LZ Foot app and searching for the corresponding track codes.

Looking at the above routes, you’ll notice many end at Tanzhesi Temple. In ancient times, there were many pilgrimage activities between Tanzhesi Temple and Jietai Temple, which gave rise to several ancient pilgrimage trails. “Tanzhesi Temple came before Beijing,” as the “No. 1 Temple of the Capital,” this temple with1700years of history has always enjoyed a thriving flow of worshippers. If you choose a route ending at Tanzhesi Temple, take the opportunity to experience its classic old-world atmosphere.

The magnolia flowers at Tanzhesi Temple are quite famous. The “Erqiao Magnolia” located east of the Pilu Pavilion in the temple is one of only two surviving Ming Dynasty bicolor magnolias in China. The flowering season is from late March to mid-April, and every year many visitors come here to admire the blossoms and enjoy spring. The view of flowers against the backdrop of the ancient temple offers a uniquely elegant charm.

Don't miss out on the beautiful spring scenery in the suburbs — it's not too late to set off now~

PS: The "Silk Road Ancient Trail Marathon" event is about to kick off. This event departs from within China, passes through multiple countries including Mongolia and Russia, and ultimately arrives in Athens, Greece. Along the route, a variety of historical, cultural, and geographical exploration activities are arranged, along with interactive promotional events for the "Ancient Trail Marathon" held in several cities, giving everyone the chance to participate. The "Jingxi Ancient Trail," as an important domestic segment of this international ancient trail marathon, will be the first to open on March 20, 2016, which is this Sunday. Friends planning to visit the Jingxi Ancient Trail this weekend can also check it out while they're there~