A view of the ancient paths in western Beijing
The Fengkou'an section on the Western Hills Ancient Paths
In the future, hikers will be able to traverse the mountainous regions of western Beijing without obstacles. Yesterday, Mentougou District unveiled China’s first national trail system plan. The area will build a 270-kilometer-long national trail centered around the network of Western Hills Ancient Paths, linking scenic spots such as Miaofeng Mountain, Ling Mountain, and Tanzhe Temple, along with over 30 ancient villages.
Mentougou District is the only all-mountainous district in the city, rich in both natural landscapes and historical-cultural resources. The Western Hills Ancient Paths, which have a history of five to six hundred years, attract numerous hikers for trekking. These ancient trails scattered across the mountains were once important trade and military routes connecting the capital with Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. However, due to the passage of time, most sections of the Western Hills Ancient Paths now exist only in fragments, are not continuous, lack service facilities along the way, and some parts are in poor condition, posing safety risks.
In April last year, Mentougou launched the "Mentougou National Trail System Plan." Based on the remaining relics of the Western Hills Ancient Paths and following the terrain and distribution of tourism resources, pedestrian pathways have been laid out to connect ancient paths, villages, towns, and natural attractions, forming a comprehensive national trail system that covers the entire district.
According to the planning map, the Mentougou National Trail System consists of five interconnected trails: the Taihang Mountain National Trail, the Great Wall National Trail, the Yongding River National Trail, the Miaofeng Mountain Incense Trail, and the Baihua Mountain–Ling Mountain Trail.
Currently, the first phase of the national trail construction has begun, including three routes: the Xishan Grand Road Ancient Path, the Tianjin Pass Ancient Path (Huangcaoliang), and the Shiyangou Ancient Path. With an investment of about 150 million yuan, the funding is mainly used for the development of supporting facilities such as parking areas, transfer systems, signage, trail repairs, waste management, landscape zones, rest seats, and emergency rescue services.
Once the national trail system is complete, it will form a transportation network stretching across Mentougou District, linking more than 10 forest parks, scenic areas, and nature reserves, including the Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park and the Miaofeng Mountain Scenic Area. The trails are also surrounded by cultural sites such as Tanzhe Temple and Jietai Temple, as well as over 30 ancient villages in western Beijing, such as Cuandixia and Lingshui. The area around the trails is home to numerous bird habitats and alpine meadows. Hikers can encounter various landforms such as caves and canyons, as well as water features including rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
It is understood that the Mentougou National Trail will be China’s first national trail to align with international standards. The trail will be equipped with environmental and landscape facilities, signage systems, campsites or mountain huts, safety protection measures, and emergency rescue facilities. In the future, it will further develop into an information hub and transportation transfer station for trail tourism, offering real-time weather updates, trip planning advice, and emergency contact services. Additionally, using nearby villages and urban areas, transfer stations will provide supplies, food and lodging, equipment rentals and sales, medical care, and emergency rescue services.
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What Is a National Trail?
The concept of a “national trail” originates from European and American countries. In these regions, national trails are multi-use paths—combining hiking, inline skating, horseback riding, and mountain biking—all integrated into one system. They feature specially designed signage at key points along the route, prohibit motorized vehicles, and typically span at least 50 kilometers, with the longest extending for thousands of kilometers.
The first recognized trail in the United States was the Appalachian Trail, built in 1921, intended for people to enjoy natural scenery and engage in hiking for fitness. It is now called the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. In 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the National Trails System Act, officially initiating the development of the national trail system. This act states: “The purpose of creating the trail system is to promote public protection, use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the nation’s natural and historic resources.” The U.S. national trail system is divided into four types: National Scenic Trails, National Historic Trails, National Recreation Trails, and Connecting and Side Trails, with the latter serving to link the first three into a cohesive national network.
In China, the construction of “national trails” is still in its early stages. These refer to hiking routes located in ecologically and culturally rich mountainous, riverside, or suburban areas. They traverse and connect representative cultural and ecological resources, linking diverse national-level scenic spots. While providing visitors with opportunities for natural and cultural experiences, environmental and cultural education, health and leisure activities, these trails also serve as pathways for heritage preservation, ecological resource utilization, tourism industry development, and rural economic revitalization.