The Undisputed No.1 Mountain in Beijing and Hebei: Baishi Mountain

As the saying goes, “Huangshan in the south, Baishi in the north.” Many visitors are drawn to Baishi Mountain precisely because it combines the wonder of Huangshan, the precipitous cliffs of Huashan, and the elegant beauty of Zhangjiajie.

On May 20, a group from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Tourism Media Alliance visited Baishi Mountain for an exploration tour.

We entered the scenic area from the East Gate, took a cable car and then transferred to a sightseeing bus to reach Jiucaiyuan.

The scenery of Baishi Mountain encompasses five key characteristics of mountain landscapes: wonder, grandeur, precipitousness, mystery, and beauty, with “wonder” being its core essence.

Peak forests bristle with bizarre rock formations; sheer cliffs and deep ravines create a magnificent yet precarious sight. The mountaintops are adorned with countless grotesque rocks in myriad shapes, forming labyrinth-like peak clusters that are impossible to count. The landscape features an abundance of peaks, steep cliffs, diverse forms, and perilous terrain—four distinctive traits. Being immersed in it brings endless fascination.

Strolling through the valleys and taking deep breaths, you are surrounded by dense vegetation—the forest coverage rate reaches 98%, and the negative oxygen ion concentration is 30,000 per cubic centimeter, making it a true natural oxygen bar.

It boasts China's only marble peak forest landscape and the most spectacular sea of clouds, as well as the largest larch and red birch forests in northern China.

Even more astounding is the ethereal mist and surging clouds that make the peaks appear and vanish, as if in a dream. Scenic spots such as Jiang Taigong Diaoyu, Wanjuan Tianshu, Bajie Quqi, Shuangxiong Shoushan, Lingbo Weibu, Shanmeng Haishi, Baishi Songyun, Jingxin Liulan, Taihang zhi Shen, Sansheng Chaofo, Xianren Shaixue, and more.

Nature has been especially generous to Baishi Mountain. The “Kiss Stone,” known for its “eternal love and billion-year kiss,” makes you marvel at the romance of this 'Lovers' Mountain.' What a wonder!

Xianren Shaixue has a legendary tale: “An emperor touring his realm got both boots wet crossing lakes and seas. One was dried here on Baishi Mountain, the other on Huangshan.”

At an altitude of 1,600 meters, there is an Instagram-worthy glass coffee house. Here you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, sip coffee, taste local delicacies, and admire Baishi Mountain's soaring peaks, deep valleys, and magnificent cloudscapes.

Baishi Mountain Scenic Area not only has a rich revolutionary history and cultural heritage, but also unique natural resources and ecosystems, making it a rare tourist destination.

From Xiangyunmen, looking toward the 1,820-meter altitude point, that is the best spot for photographing sunrise and the sea of clouds — watching the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening.

From a wide-open vantage point, you see the distant view where all other mountains appear dwarfed, and up close, the deep ravines and gullies reveal nature's exquisite craftsmanship — China's only marble peak forest landform.

Baishi Mountain possesses the scenery of Huangshan and the features of Zhangjiajie, making it the premier majestic and scenic area in northern China, a masterpiece among northern mountain ranges.

While Beijing's weather is already hot, with people wearing dresses and short sleeves, it remains quite cool here. You might even need a robe to ward off the chill. It is definitely an excellent summer retreat — ideal for sightseeing, holiday relaxation, and eco-tourism.

Jiucaiyuan — Nantianmen — Juebi Changlang — Xianren Shaixue — Sanfo Chaosheng — Kanhai Ting — Sanchakou — Sandongtian — Taihang zhi Shen — Feihu Xia — (cable car) Feiyunkou — Baishi Hualang — Shuangxiongshi Restaurant — Fengyun Jihui — Ceshen Ya — Jiang Taigong Diaoyu — Huoran Ya — Haitun Chushui — Jiucaiyuan

Walking this loop is really quite a tough challenge. Every step reveals a new vista; the scenery is so beautiful it lifts your spirits. Only by completing the full loop can you truly grasp the essence of Baishi Mountain. After a 6-hour tour, even though I was hastily snapping photos, I left with great reluctance, truly unwilling to part.

Goodbye, Baishi Mountain — until we meet again!