Miaofeng Mountain, formerly known as Yangshan, is renowned for its towering peaks and rugged terrain. It is also called Miaogao Peak because of its majestic summits, with Miaogao being one of them. The mountain is famous for its “ancient temples,” “unique pines,” “strange rocks,” and “rare flowers.” The base of the mountain is spacious, with fresh air and abundant shrubs, teeming with vitality. It is home to numerous woody plants and high-quality medicinal herbs. Various exotic flowers bloom throughout the year, including mountain peach blossoms, wild carnations, wild jasmine, rhododendrons, strawflowers, expansive fields of roses, and pear blossoms, creating a unique landscape where “every view is like a painting, and flowers bloom all year round.”
On the mountain, you can enjoy seasonal views such as sunrises, sunsets, rime, and mountain fog. It is also home to the renowned “One of the Best in North China” fields of roses and the largest traditional temple fair in North China. At the base of the mountain lies Yingtaogou Village, a site rich in cultural heritage, where you can explore historical relics, pick cherries, fish in ponds, and experience local customs. It is one of the most culturally rich scenic spots around Beijing.
Moreover, Miaofeng Mountain houses many famous ancient temples, such as the royal Liao Dynasty temples Yangshan Qiyin Temple and Dayun Temple, as well as Dripping Water Rock, one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Wanping,” known as “Exploring the Lingyan.” Additionally, the villa of Reginald Johnston, the English tutor of the last emperor Puyi, is also located here. The integration of the natural scenery and Buddhist culture enhances the charm of both, creating a harmonious and picturesque setting.
Travel Information about Miaofeng Mountain
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets: ¥40, Rose Valley ¥20.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Best Time to Visit
Miaofeng Mountain has two peak tourist seasons:
May, when the roses on the mountain are in full bloom, creating a very romantic atmosphere.
Early October, when you can enjoy the red autumn leaves and the lively Miaofeng Mountain Temple Fair.
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District.
By Bus: Take Metro Line 6 and get off at Jin’anqiao West Station, then transfer to bus M6 and get off at Jiangou.
By Long-Distance Bus: From May to September, there are direct long-distance buses from Pingguoyuan Station on weekends. During the temple fair, buses are available daily. Alternatively, you can take bus 326 or 336 from Pingguoyuan Station to Hetan and transfer to a long-distance bus.
Attraction Ratings
- Culture: ★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Features: ★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★★★
Highlights of Miaofeng Mountain
Niangniang Temple
Niangniang Temple is located in a secluded corner of the terrace on the main peak of Miaofeng Mountain. It was originally built during the Liao Dynasty and primarily enshrines the Holy Mother Bixia Yuanjun. The temple is situated on the Golden Summit, facing southeast towards Beijing. The temple complex consists of three main groups of buildings (Linggan Palace, Huixiang Pavilion, and Yuhuang Summit) that are arranged in a staggered and harmonious manner, following the natural contours of the mountain.
On the west side of Huiji Shrine, a small path leads to a secluded area where several independent scenic spots are hidden within a valley. At the entrance of the valley, two massive rocks are squeezed together, blocking the sky and leaving only a narrow slit. In the twilight, purple rays of light shine through the gap, illuminating the path with a brilliant glow. This phenomenon is often referred to as “Buddha’s Light Shining.”
Every year on the first day of the fourth lunar month, Miaofeng Mountain hosts a grand Spring Temple Fair that lasts for half a month. In addition to preserving traditional practices from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as pilgrims climbing to the summit, temple fairs, porridge distribution, tea offerings, and bun donations, the fair now also features new activities like trade fairs, folk culture displays, and cultural performances. This event has become a unique, vibrant, and healthy folk activity in Beijing.
Rose Valley
Miaofeng Mountain is known as the “Land of Roses” in China. The eastern side of the main peak, Yangshan, and other areas on the western side are covered with rose bushes, spanning tens of thousands of acres. Walking along the stone paths in the rose garden, the intoxicating fragrance of roses fills the air, creating a truly enchanting experience.
Related Details:
- Around May each year, the mountains are covered in blooming roses, creating a spectacular and romantic scene. This time of year is especially perfect for couples to visit.
- The best places to view roses on Miaofeng Mountain are: the Yangshan Rose Planting (Tourism) Base and the rose garden on the western side of the scenic area, where visitors can find a statue of the “Rose Fairy.”
- To truly appreciate the roses, one must venture deep into the flower fields. From a distance, the terraces may look similar to any other mountain, but up close, the beauty of the roses is revealed.
Yingtaogou Village
Yingtaogou Village is located at the foot of Miaofeng Mountain. During the Qing Dynasty, it was known as “Temple Bottom” due to the presence of the famous Liao Dynasty royal temple, Yangshan Xiyin Chan Temple, situated on Lotus Peak within the village.
In the 1990s, Yingtaogou Village developed into Beijing’s cherry-growing base, featuring 18 varieties such as Nalong, Hongdeng, Hongmi, Dazi, and Jiahong. The cherry orchard is adorned with various styles of pavilions, thousands of meters of streams and paths winding through the orchard, and several wooden bridges, water wheels, bird nests, rabbit hutches, and free-range chicken areas, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of the southern Chinese landscape of “small bridges, flowing water, and houses.”
In April, the orchard is filled with blooming cherry blossoms, and in May, when the cherries ripen, the trees are laden with cherry-sized fruits that look like red rubies or agates. The green leaves and red fruits of the thousands of cherry trees create a natural landscape painting.
The entrance fee for cherry picking in Yingtaogou Village is ¥100. Inside the orchard, you can eat as many cherries as you like. If you wish to take cherries home, they cost ¥80 per jin (500 grams). The cherry-picking season typically ends in late June, with picking hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Visitor Guide for Miaofeng Mountain
Food and Accommodation
At the foot of Miaofeng Mountain, there are many farmhouses that offer accommodations at similar prices. These farmhouses provide home-cooked meals, primarily featuring wild vegetables and traditional farmhouse dishes, which are quite tasty. Additionally, there is a higher-end resort at the entrance of Yingtaogou Village. Visitors can choose their accommodations based on their preferences and needs.
Recommended Itinerary: Hiking Route
- Start: Pass through the front archway of Miaofeng Mountain to enter the scenic area.
- Hike Up the Mountain: Follow the mountain path to visit several cultural sites:
- Niangniang Temple, Lingguan Hall, Tianqi Temple, and Dajue Temple
- The rose garden on the west side of Niangniang Temple is the best spot for viewing roses, but it requires a separate fee. The roses are particularly abundant around Jiangou Village on the southeast side of the main peak.
- Peak: Reach the summit and visit Yuhuang Temple.
- The entire hike takes about 3 hours.
- Post-Hike Activity: After completing the hike, take a vehicle to the nearby orchards to pick the famous Jingbai pears.