Weekend Getaway | Fenghuangling

⛰️Fenghuangling 📍No. 19 Fenghuangling Road, Haidian District, Beijing Fenghuangling, known as "Little Huangshan," is a must-climb peak in Beijing and is considered the nearest and highest mountain to Beijing's eight urban districts. [Climbing Difficulty] 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The overall climbing height is about 600 meters above sea level, slightly higher than Xiangshan Mountain. Except for the Ladder to Heaven on the middle route, there are no particularly difficult sections. The scenery is very natural and beautiful, but it lacks some of the ethereal beauty of Huangshan. [Route Recommendations] Fenghuangling has three routes: south, middle, and north. 1. South Route: Not recommended 🙅 It's short and doesn't reach the summit. The north and middle routes connect and both lead to the summit. 2. Middle Route: Recommended for experienced hikers 🙆 The steepest of the three routes, it's also the fastest way to the summit. There are two sections of "cloud ladders" in the middle, with hundreds of steep steps requiring considerable physical strength. People with acrophobia should definitely avoid the middle route. 3. North Route: Recommended for leisurely sightseeing ✅ Ascent: North entrance - Shenquan Spring - Jade Rabbit Stone - Ladder to Heaven - Gongbao Stone Village - Flying Stone Pagoda (summit) Descent: Flying Stone Pagoda - Tantric Pagoda - Dakuaidi - Nantianmen - Eighteen Turns - Shady Pavilion - Xinghuacun - Scenic Area Entrance If you're purely climbing, the round trip can be completed in about three hours. [Important Notes] The Ladder to Heaven is the highlight of Fenghuangling. It has 53 steps and only one chain for support. Reaching the top can be psychologically challenging. After passing Guanyin Cave, there's a very narrow crevice in the rocks beside a small path, requiring you to squeeze through and climb up while holding onto an iron chain. This path is very hidden; we had trouble finding it after ascending and eventually followed other experienced visitors. The Ladder to Heaven is not recommended for overweight or acrophobic individuals due to its narrowness and some degree of danger. There are regular steps alongside the ladder that lead to the same point. 🚠Cable Car: No cable car. There's a shuttle bus from the park entrance to the north route entrance, a distance of about 2 kilometers. It's a short walk, so the bus isn't recommended. 🅿️Parking: 10 yuan/unlimited time.