Longqing Gorge (龙庆峡), formerly known as “Gucheng Nine Curves,” originates from the southeastern foothills of Mount Haituo and flows into Gucheng Reservoir via Yudu Mountain. This area combines the delicate charm of southern landscapes with the grand and majestic features of northern scenery. The gorge twists and turns, with its waters long and emerald green. The cliffs on both sides are steep, and the forests are dense. Exposed limestone has formed unique shapes, especially the caves eroded by water over the years, featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. These resemble the karst scenery of the Li River, earning Longqing Gorge the nickname “Little Li River of Beijing.”
Travel Information about Longqing Gorge
Tickets
- Entrance: ¥40
- Boat Ride: ¥100
- Baihua Cave: ¥10
- Slide: ¥20
- Shenhua Garden: ¥50 (includes round-trip cable car)
Opening Hours
- April 15 to November 15: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time to Visit
Summer and winter are the best times to visit Longqing Gorge. In summer, you can enjoy boat rides and the beautiful mountain and water scenery. In winter, you can experience the colorful ice lanterns.
Getting to the Scenic Area
Location: Northwest of Gucheng Village, Yanqing District.
- By Bus: Take bus 919 from Deshengmen Bus Station to Yanqing Town. From there, take bus Y43 from Guishui North Street South to Longqing Gorge Station. Alternatively, take the S2 suburban train from Beijing North Station to Yanqing South Station and transfer to bus 875 directly to Longqing Gorge Scenic Area.
- Tourist Shuttle: On weekends, take the Y08 tourist shuttle bus from Qianmen or Andingmen subway west exits to Longqing Gorge.
- By Car: Drive via the Jingzang Expressway towards Yanqing. Follow the signs for Longqing Gorge once you reach Yanqing Town.
Highlights of Longqing Gorge
Baihuadong & Shenshanyuan
Baihuadong (Hundred Flowers Cave): This cave stretches 300 meters and covers an area of 3,000 square meters. It features 1,650 types of artificial flowers, plants, and trees, with various birds and animals adding to the scene. The cave is divided into several thematic areas, including the splendid floral display, tropical rainforest, northern landscapes, and southern Jiangnan scenery.
Shenshanyuan (Immortals’ Courtyard): Facing south, Shenshanyuan is divided into an upper and lower courtyard. The upper courtyard houses the main hall, which enshrines the three great masters of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. In the center is Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism; on the left is Confucius, the founder of Confucianism; and on the right is Laozi, the founder of Daoism. The courtyard also features attractions such as the Chessboard Stone, the Divine Basin, and the Demon King Tree.
To the left of the temple in Shenshanyuan, there is an oval stone basin measuring 4 meters in length, 3.4 meters in width, and 1 meter in depth, which is filled with water throughout the year. On the halfway up the cliff, there are several large square-column stones. The top of these stone pillars is flat and resembles a chessboard with faint grid patterns and a few small stones that resemble chess pieces.
Fengguan Island & Zhongshan Mountain
Fengguan Island: Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled against the mountains on one side, Fengguan Island forms a peninsula. Its striking composition, with the backdrop of surrounding peaks, makes it known as the “Symbol of Longqing Gorge.”
Zhongshan Mountain: With its majestic and powerful appearance, Zhongshan Mountain resembles a large bell immersed in the water from various angles, hence its name “Zhongshan,” meaning “Bell Mountain.”
Vajra Temple & Divine Brush Peak
Vajra Temple: Located at the foot of two mountains resembling the shape of a vajra (a Buddhist ritual weapon), the temple originally served as the True Way’s Taixuan Dao Palace during the Yuan Dynasty. After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, the temple was destroyed, and monks rebuilt Vajra Temple on the same site. It was also destroyed in the early days of New China but was reconstructed in 1987. A poem once praised Vajra Temple with the lines: “Two mountains stand tall with grandeur, a temple without monks but full of Buddhas. Moonlight shines on the hall, wind sweeps the courtyard; the mountain gate is unlocked with a vajra inside.”
Divine Brush Peak: Named for its resemblance to a large brush inserted upside down into the valley, Divine Brush Peak, when viewed in conjunction with the surrounding peaks, resembles a giant peacock spreading its tail feathers. This scenic view is also known as “The Peacock Spreads Its Tail to Greet Guests.”
Money-Making Furnace
The Money-Making Furnace, dating back to the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, was used by bandits to produce counterfeit money. The furnace has a depth of 20 meters and a height of 5 meters, and remnants of the iron and tools used in the counterfeit money production are still found inside. A unique phenomenon occurs if a fire is lit inside the furnace: smoke can emerge from a stone at the top that resembles a chimney, revealing the mysterious nature of the Money-Making Furnace.
Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival
The Longqing Gorge Ice Lantern Festival runs from mid-January to the end of February each year, covering an area of approximately 160,000 square meters. During the festival, the valley is illuminated with brilliant lights, showcasing colorful ice and snow sculptures, and vibrant lantern displays. The ice and snow transform Longqing Gorge into a magical wonderland and a joyful ocean of festivities. The ice lantern area is located in the valley, where the temperature is 5 to 8 degrees Celsius lower than in the city. Visitors should dress warmly to enjoy the festival comfortably.
Visitor Guide to Longqing Gorge
Transportation in Longqing Gorge Scenic Area
Tianlong Elevator: The scenic area features the Asia’s highest Tianlong Elevator, which holds a Guinness World Record. Shaped like a majestic dragon, the elevator hangs suspended on the cliff with a dragon’s head at the bottom and tail at the top. It is made entirely of fiberglass. After taking the elevator to admire the reservoir and dam waterfalls, you can board a boat to explore the beautiful landscape of Longqing Gorge.
Cable Car: A single-line cable car is available at the entrance of the scenic area, with its terminus at the Fairyland (Shenxian Yuan).
Boat Rides: At the Jingang Temple (金刚寺) dock, you can take a boat ride from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Water guns are also available for rent at the boat boarding area.
Accommodation
Within the Scenic Area: Options include Yudu Mountain Villa and Longqing Gorge Grand Hotel, with standard rooms priced around 200 RMB per night.
Nearby: Some farmhouses offer accommodation, though choices are limited.
Distance: Longqing Gorge is approximately 90 kilometers from Beijing’s city center, allowing for a same-day return if preferred.
Specialty Foods
Local Delicacies: Enjoy roasted whole lamb, roasted rabbit, grilled rainbow trout, roasted leg of lamb, and Longqing Gorge’s farmhouse-style earthen pot dishes. These specialties can be found at farmhouses around the scenic area.
Entertainment
Flying Drop: Set between cliffs in the scenic Longqing Gorge, this attraction offers a thrilling experience with a 30-meter natural drop. Participants glide through the air, feeling as if they are soaring between the blue sky and green waters below.
Bungee Jumping: Located on the cliff of Jingang Temple, this 48-meter-high bungee jump provides an exhilarating experience, eliciting a range of emotions from fear and excitement to shouting, screaming, cheering, and relaxation. It is a daring activity for thrill-seekers.
Slide: This slide stretches approximately 450 meters from the exit of Baihua Cave to the central island in the lake. With a relative drop of 38 meters, the slide features a 60-meter span over a double-arched bridge that resembles two rainbows. The suspension bridge appears as a giant guardian, and the undulating steel structure of the bridge seems like a dragon or colorful ribbon, meandering through the mountains.