Beijing/Mentougou

Mentougou District (门头沟区; Méntóugōuqū) is a rural district in western Beijing Municipality. The district has mountainous terrain and Mount Ling the tallest peak in Beijing is situated in the district. The historic village of Cuandixia is Mentougou's most notable destination. A number of other heritage villages have also sprung up catering to tourists.

Mentougou has a long history shaped by its location in the mountains west of Beijing. Archaeological evidence from Donghulin Village in present-day Zhaitang Town shows human activity in the area about 10,000 years ago. Over later centuries, the district developed important religious sites. Tanzhe Temple dates back more than 1,700 years and is regarded as the oldest Buddhist temple in Beijing, while Jietai Temple was first built in 622 during the Tang dynasty.

The mountains also influenced the area's economic and cultural development. The ancient roads of western Beijing connected villages in Mentougou with the capital and supported trade from the Liao through the Qing dynasties. Traditional mountain villages developed along these routes; Cuandixia, for example, still preserves courtyard houses dating mainly from the Ming and Qing periods. Coal mining later became another important part of Mentougou's history, with documented mining activity dating to at least the Ming dynasty. In modern times, railways and mining further shaped the district's industrial development.

Public transport service from central Beijing to Mentougou is mainly based on buses, many of them starting from Pingguoyuan (western final stop of subway line 1, temporarily closed for renovation in 2020) and stopping at Jin'anqiao (western terminus of subway line 6). Buses 336 and 931 run from Pingguoyuan (苹果园 píngguǒyuán) to Hetan (河滩 hétān) in Mentougou District. From there bus lines to most places of interest in the area can be taken.

For trips from Beijing city, renting a taxi for a day might be easier and less time intensive.

• 39.904167116.0241671 Tanzhe Temple (潭柘寺 tánzhèsì) (take bus 931 from Pingguoyuan subway station (Line 1) to Tanzhesi bus stop). Buddhist temple dating back as far as the Western Jin Dynasty (more than 1600 years ago). It is one of the oldest and largest temples in Beijing. The site is especially beautiful to visit in April when the surrounding Magnolia trees are in full bloom. ¥55 (students and seniors ¥30).  
• 39.875833116.082 Jietai Temple (戒台寺 jiètáisì) (take bus 931 from Pingguoyuan subway station (Line 1) to Jietaisi bus stop), ☏ +86 10 69806611. 08:09-17:30. Though not as popular and well-visited as Tanzhe Temple, this smaller Buddhist temple is definitely worth a visit. It was built about 1400 years ago, but its most famous features have been added later during Ming and Qing dynasties. A special attraction of this site are the huge pine trees, some of them being hundreds of years old. ¥45 (students and seniors ¥22).  
• 40.017086115.4536333 Mt. Lingshan Scenic Resort (灵山自然风景区 Língshān zìrán fēngjǐng qū). With 2300 meters in height, Mt. Lingshan is the highest mountain in Beijing.  

• 39.996944115.6383334 ^{[dead link]} Cuandixia (爨底下) (Take the subway to Pingguoyuan in West Beijing. (About 1 hour from east Beijing. ¥2). Then take the public bus to Cuandixia. (about 2:20 hours. ¥13-18). There is a direct bus leaving from Pingguoyuan at 12:40, and one in early morning. If you can't catch the direct bus take the bus to Zhaitang, and take a private taxi to Cuandixia. The bus number is 929支, but be aware there are many buses with this number driving to many different places, so ask the bus driver if he drives to Cuandixia, or Zhaitang). A beautiful ancient mountain village. It is very small, only around 70 traditional court yards. It is renovated nicely and seems rather authentic. Go in the weekdays if you want peace and quiet. In the summer months the climate is nicer than in Beijing because of the cooler mountain air. In the winter it could be cold, but the beds are heated, so it is still possible to go. Do at least an overnight trip or you will spend most of your time in the bus and not have time to enjoy the peace in the beautiful village. You can easily spend one day in the village walking around on the mountain paths. It costs ¥30 for tourists to enter the Cuandixia area.   ^{[dead link]}

• 40.01356115.6051225 Baiyu. A village with 100-200 traditional court yards. Baiyu is still rather unexplored, but it has plenty of guesthouses to sleep and eat in. Quality is good, prices low, the scenery is beautiful and the people friendly. Baiyu is about 6 km from the more well known ancient mountain village Cuandixia, so combining a visit to both places is a good idea. It costs ¥30 for tourists to enter the Cuandixia area.  
• Yanhecheng Great Wall (沿河城长城). A section of the Inner Great Wall, part of the double layer of Great Wall protecting Beijing. (updated Aug 2020)
• Pearl Lake. Good views of the mountain tunnels of the Fengtai–Shacheng railway which runs along the Yongding River. (updated Aug 2020)
• Mount Baihua (百花山). A popular day trip for Beijingers. It's a long 4km climb to the meadow at the top of Mount Baihua and the landscape is spectacular. On windy day a large misty cloud settles on top of the meadow which is filled with exotic flowers. (updated Aug 2020)
• 40.0667116.06676 Miaofeng Mountain (妙峰山风景名胜区), North of Jiangou Village, Miaofengshan Town (By public transport: From Pingguoyuan subway station, take bus 892 (Jiangou Village branch) to Jiangou Village. From there, walk about 1½ hours uphill or take a local car (about ¥80 per vehicle). The Jiangou Village branch of bus 892 runs only once a day, departing at 09:30 and returning at 16:00, and service may be suspended in rain or snow. By car: Follow Fushi Road through central Mentougou, then take Shidan Road toward the Miaofeng Mountain Scenic Area.), ☏ +86 10 61882936. 08:30-16:30. A mountain area known for its temples, traditional pilgrimage culture, mountain scenery and roses. The main peak is 1,291 m above sea level. Miaofeng Mountain has a long religious and folk tradition, and pilgrims have historically traveled to temples on the mountain to worship. Its traditional temple fair originated in the Ming dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years. The fair includes traditional folk performances and pilgrimage-related customs, and it was included in China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008. The mountain is also known for its roses, which usually bloom from late May to June. ¥40.  (updated Sep 2026)

• * 40.0667116.06671 Miaofeng Mountain Temple Fair (妙峰山庙会): 06–20 May 2027, Miaofeng Mountain Scenic Area, Miaofengshan Town, ☏ +86 10 61882936. A traditional temple fair with more than 400 years of history, held annually from the 1st to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. Visitors can experience traditional folk performances, pilgrimage culture and local customs. It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

• Longjiazhuang Market (陇驾庄大集), 160 m west of the intersection of Shidan Road and Longjiazhuang Ring Road (Take bus 890, 929, 892, M3, M4, M5, M7, M11, M16, M20 or M22 to Longjiazhuang). Tu, F, Su. A traditional local market selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, local foods, snacks, dried fruits, daily necessities and other goods. A good place to experience local life and buy local products. (updated Sep 2026)

• Longjiazhuang Shaobing with Pork (陇驾庄烧饼夹肉热肘子), 50 m east of Longjiazhuang East bus stop, Miaofengshan Town (About 50 m east of Longjiazhuang East bus stop). A local specialty in the Longjiazhuang area. Shaobing, a baked flatbread, is served with sliced pork and braised pork knuckle. It is a traditional local food that combines baked bread with cooked meat. (updated Oct 2026)