On the morning of October 29,
in the western part of Beijing, along an ancient trail, with the west wind blowing,
the rain had just cleared, thousands of trees were dyed in autumn hues, making the season exceptionally pleasant.
A group of people, dressed neatly and beaming with joy,
walked slowly along the winding ancient path.
Ahead, on fluttering trail flags, a large and striking “Yi” (Post) character caught everyone’s eye.
The group proceeded in order, each taking out a folding fan, and those dressed as Ming Dynasty-style post officials solemnly stamped a “clearance” seal on the fans before gesturing a salute and allowing passage.
This was not a scene from a time-travel costume drama but an autumn hiking experience event on ancient trails organized by the Mentougou District Tourism Commission. The event invited over 40 participants, including ancient trail experts, environmental organizations, freelance photographers, professional hikers, and urban white-collar workers. The activity carefully designed a representative route of the Western Beijing Ancient Trails, starting from Niujiaoling, passing through Qiao’erjian and Magezhuang, and arriving at Dongshiguyan Village. The goal of the event was to promote and showcase the unique features of the Western Beijing Ancient Trails—its distinctive landscape, profound historical and cultural heritage, touching legends, and simple local customs—through firsthand experience. It also called on the whole society to pay attention to, protect, and care for the ancient trails, allowing them to carry forward civilization and regain vitality.
At the launch ceremony held at the Western Beijing Ancient Trails Museum, Zheng Huajun, Deputy Director of the Mentougou District Tourism Commission, introduced: “The Western Beijing Ancient Trails have a history of several thousand years, crisscrossing the entire Mentougou area with numerous long roads. Commercial routes, military paths, and pilgrimage trails are spread out and interconnected. They are a microcosm of the economy and culture of that era, embodying a rich cultural heritage and serving as an important symbol and historical witness of ancient civilization in Western Beijing.”
Indeed, when the group reached the first pass along the Western Beijing Ancient Trails—the Niujiaoling Pass Fort—they saw the deep and shallow hoof prints, varying in size like bowls, formed over the years by the trampling of mule and horse caravans. The surface was smooth as a mirror, densely packed and spectacular, truly “footprints of history.” After several autumn rains, the hoof prints became even clearer and more distinct, presenting the authentic charm of antiquity. Along the roadside, sculptures of muleteers leading horses laden with goods, hauling uphill, and merchants resting and drinking tea vividly recreated the bustling prosperity of the ancient trails in days gone by.
Upon reaching the relief murals in Shuiyuzui Village, one poem reads: “Since ancient times, Kyoto has been rich in goods; to the west, the towering Chong Mountain made the road hard to traverse. In olden times, merchant caravans carried goods on camels and mules, saying the hardship was worth the joy.” This line speaks to the long history carried by the ancient trails. Sculptures such as mule-driving merchants, blacksmith forges, general stores, horseshoeing, and customs stations are exquisitely crafted, transporting us back through time to the lively scenes of the ancient trails.
The endpoint of this leisure hiking event—Dongshiguyan Village—is listed in the “China Traditional Villages” directory. On the mountain is the renowned Stone Grotto Cliff Cliffside Stele. According to the Ming Dynasty’s Wan Shu Za Ji (Miscellaneous Records of Wan County), it is described as: “Ninety li to the west of the county. The mountain faces the Hun River (now the Yongding River), with cliffs a thousand ren high. There is only a narrow path upwards, barely wide enough for one foot, overlooking the river below, making it extremely treacherous. There is a stone grotto named Prajna Hall.” The eminent monk Master Ming’an, who practiced here, led his disciples to raise funds and encourage people to do good and build roads. From court officials of the Ministry of Rites to local officials and commoners, everyone responded enthusiastically, contributing money or labor. In the sixth year of the Ming Wanli era, this perilous stretch of road was transformed into a smooth path. To honor the contributors, four linked steles were engraved on a cliff face, recording the road-building efforts and the names of the benefactors. One of the steles features an inscription of three Buddha statues, and thus the area became known as Shifo Ridge and this section of the ancient trail gained its name.
The closing ceremony of the event was held in Dongshiguyan Village. The chill of late autumn could not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants. The approximately 5-kilometer leisure hiking experience, set against the unique autumn colors of the Western Hills, not only offered beautiful scenery and relaxation but also allowed people to touch the weighty historical aura that has lasted for millennia. As one participant, professional hiker A Liang, put it: “Here, you don’t just get the thrill of hiking, but also the warmth of culture under your feet and the depth of history!”
Ancient beacon fires, exchanges between ethnic groups, religious activities, fortress building and border defense, as well as countless magical tales like ancient trails, the west wind, and lean horses—all scattered or preserved along both sides of the trails. Through these, we can deeply sense the changes of the times and the footsteps of history. The Western Beijing Ancient Trails, with their thousands of years of history, blend their profound cultural heritage and the splendid culture of the Yongding River basin into a radiant whole.
The Western Beijing Ancient Trails, from ancient times to the present, await you in the deep autumn.