[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Jingxi Ancient Path (Updated Apr)

Today's ride: 82 km Explore the ruins of the Peacock Nunnery in Nancun, Mentougou. 🌺 From the foot of the mountain on the west side of Shijingshan to Nancun, the round trip on National Highway 108 is about 20 km of winding mountain roads. The highest point, which is also about halfway, is Jietai Temple. I was so tired from climbing that I almost threw up. The cold wind on the downhill made my nose run. 🌺 The exact date of the construction of the Peacock Nunnery is unknown... But according to an article, the author heard from the elderly in the surrounding villages that it was built in the late Ming Dynasty by people who admired the Peacock Nunnery built by Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty after he visited Tanzhe Temple and played with birds in the mountains. Emperor Zhangzong: The sixth emperor of the Jin Dynasty (1168–1208). 🌺 The Peacock Nunnery, like the rumor that once went viral in the ruins exploration circle—the Prostitute Bridge in Western Beijing, was also given the so-called conclusion of being built by courtesans in Beijing by a video media. An article by "Elder Zhao" refuted this with detailed textual evidence. 🌺 If you want to go, it is recommended to arrive near sunset. In the afterglow of the setting sun, The mountain gate The two ruined halls The colorful prayer flags and two Buddha statues... All are bathed in silent warmth.

Last time I went hiking on the ancient Jingxi trail with friends We took the subway and then transferred to the bus, finally reaching our destination!! Both the oil road and the gravel road can lead up the mountain~ Along the way, we saw horse hoof prints naturally formed over a hundred years The bustling ancient trade route is evident The natural scenery along the way is still very beautiful Blowing the wind on Niujiaoling, overlooking the entire village and the mountains 🔸Scenic spots along the way: Blacksmith Shop, Tea Shed, Octagonal Pavilion, Niujiaoling, Ancient Trail Hoof Prints, Poetry Pavilion, etc. 🎫Ticket 💰27 yuan/person ⚠️Many gravel roads, not suitable for the elderly 🅿️Few parking spaces, not many people in winter Make an appointment with friends on the weekend and set off for a hike together~

📍Attraction address: Navigate to 'Lao Wang's Baked Buns with Elbow', there is a small path behind the opposite public toilet leading to the railway. Turn left at the railway to find the Wild Creek platform, and turn right for Tunnel No. 1 🚗Transportation to attraction: Convenient by self-driving or taking the bus. 👍️Must-visit spots: Wild Creek platform, Tunnels No. 1 to No. 5, each with its own characteristics. 🎟️Ticket information: Free 💗Other tips: 1. Bring a flashlight, thick-soled trekking shoes, a simple lunch, and a garbage bag. Be sure to take your own trash with you. 2. This section of the Jingmen Railway is a branch of the Jingzhang Railway and has been around for a hundred years. It is 15 kilometers long, and you can walk to the road below at any time if you get tired, to end the trek.

🧗‍♀️The ancient trail that I didn't finish last year, I have to cry and climb up. · ⛄️Having a time management master by your side is amazing, making what was originally a two-day journey rich, compact, and colorful. I have to go to the places that I should go, even if it hails; the rest is up to fate. ⛰️A few days before the trip started, I said: Please let me be a fool, thank you! You arrange the itinerary, I'm fine with anything! I've been to all the places before, so I'm retracing the old paths and finishing the ancient trails that I didn't complete. · ⛩The ancient trails west of Beijing now belong to the village's scenic area. Last year, various annual passes could be used for free entry, but this year you have to buy a ticket! 🎫Ticket: 27 RMB, can be reserved on-site 🕙Duration: 2H · 🌄The path is mostly stone roads, with some uphill sections. The scenic area is not large, and if you have good physical strength, you can reach the top of the mountain in less than an hour. The route passes through Niujiaoling Guancheng. · ⚠️Note: Once you reach the top of the mountain, please be sure to return the same way! Otherwise, you will detour to other villages, and it will be difficult to come back. Unlike us, we thought about taking a big loop, and then we got barbecued. If you climb at noon, it will not only be physically demanding but also quite hot. Along the way, you will pass several small pavilions, with the coolest spot at the 'bridgehead' leading to the wooden walkway. · 🏔There is a very beautiful wooden walkway at the top of the mountain, and you must not miss this section. The pavilion at the top of the mountain has a 360-degree breeze, clear and cloudy, surrounded and enveloped by mountains. ❌When you see the signpost, do not go down the mountain towards 🚫Jiuyuan Village🚫❌ · 📷Scenic spots: Glass walkway✔️ Mountain top viewing platform✔️ Mountain top pavilion with a view of the entire village✔️ Niujiaoling Guancheng✔️ · 📝Nearby places to play: 🏞Miaofeng Mountain 🛕Daitai Station (hiking) It's best to start 2 kilometers ahead from Daitai Station, you can walk to the railway and continue hiking. 🛤Jingmen Railway Crossing Several landmark buildings are nice, but be careful not to linger near the railway crossing 🏞Qingshuijian (one of the two remaining steam train water towers in Beijing) 🗾Qianjun Platform abandoned coal mine (exploration) 🈯️The ancient trails west of Beijing can be the second choice after the surrounding major attractions, no need to spend a lot of time, 1-2 hours is enough. · ☀️The small roads in the suburbs of Beijing are becoming more and more summery, surrounded by lush greenery, with sunlight lightly sprinkled on the car windows, shining with a bit of ripple, and the clouds in the distance, following me all the way. Playing music on the country roads, heading north. The destination is unknown, but it's best to keep going as far as possible.

Here, the traces of history intertwine with the steps of the modern era, serving as a meeting place for past travelers and merchants. The ancient trails, like the veins of time, have injected a continuous vitality into the prosperity of the capital. Today, they still stand between the mountains to the west of Beijing, becoming an indelible cultural mark. During the May Day holiday, we invite you to embark on a hiking journey along the ancient western trails, to feel the weight of history and the gifts of nature. Recommended Route: The Ancient Western Trails Scenic Area's City Gate Tower - Blacksmith Shop - Tea Pavilion - Octagonal Pavilion - Forever Exemption Pavilion - Niujiaoling Pass City - Ancient Trail Hoof Pits - Guandi Temple - Poetry Pavilion Starting Point: Depart from the ancient trail mountain gate of the Ancient Western Trails Scenic Area, and step onto the journey of history along the carefully paved stone slope path. Niujiaoling Sculpture: Hiking up to the mid-mountain, you will witness the sculptures in front of Niujiaoling Pass City. These sculptures tell the glory and vicissitudes of the ancient trails, and the deep and shallow hoof pits on the stone road bear witness to the history of coal transportation by the caravan day and night. Niujiaoling Pass City Stele and City Pass: This was once an important military fortress to the west of Beijing, where trade and commerce, as well as pilgrimages, converged. Today, you can still feel the solemnity and ancient charm. West Mountain North Road: Continuing forward, you will see the stele from Niujiaoling to Jiuyuan Village section, follow the downhill road until you reach the monument of the Ancient Western Trails, where the hiking journey comes to an end. Route Length: About 2.1 kilometers, suitable for hiking beginners, to easily experience the charm of the ancient trails. Surrounding Activities: Participate in the 'Poetic and Picturesque Wandering on the Ancient Trails' event in the Ancient Western Trails, and feel the perfect integration of culture and nature. Photo Spot: The Ancient Western Trails Scenic Area in Shuiyu Mouth Village, leaving you with beautiful moments blended with the ancient trails.

There are many sections of the ancient trail in Western Beijing, and besides the toll section of the Western Beijing Ancient Trail scenic area, the most famous are the Yuhedao Ancient Trail and the Matiwo above it. In fact, the Yuhedao Ancient Trail was also a toll scenic area ten years ago, but later it was abandoned due to mountain floods and the relocation of the village. Now the Yuhedao Ancient Trail scenic area has been deserted, and it can be visited for free.

Spring has arrived. Where to go for a spring outing in Beijing? The Botanical Garden has more people than flowers. It is said that the Garden Expo Park is also the best time when peach blossoms are in full bloom, but on rest days, you can't take pictures of the flowers in all their glory, it's all heads of people. Today, I recommend a place with few people, easy parking, and close distance. Search for 'Jingxi Ancient Trail - North Gate' in your navigation. 27 yuan for a ticket. Drive along the road upwards, the mountain road is a bit steep, and you can stop at any time on the roadside when you see a nice view, parking is free. If there are elderly or children with poor mobility, you can also consider driving all the way, but you will miss some experiences. We stopped halfway to walk and take photos. The peach blossoms all over the mountains are very beautiful. I came here on 2024-3-23, when they were in full bloom, and I feel they could last for one to two weeks. If you have a drone, you can try taking photos with it, which will definitely be more beautiful. Of course, you can also bring meals or fast food and have a picnic in the small pavilions by the roadside, which is also a very nice experience. The weather has warmed up, let's all get out and walk, feel the breath of spring, the vitality of spring. When you see the plank bridge in the pictures behind, you are almost at the center of the scenic area, inside there are hoof prints left by the caravans, all marks of history. If you have time, you can also visit the former residence of Ma Zhiyuan To experience the environment of the poem 'Dead vines, old trees, crows at dusk, small bridges, flowing water, people's homes, ancient trails, west wind, thin horses. The setting sun is setting, and the heartbroken person is at the end of the world', you can really find the small bridge, old trees, and the ancient trail is actually the Jingxi Ancient Trail. I didn't know before, the poetry I memorized since childhood is actually so close to us.

The ancient roads of Jingshi, like a large net, crisscross the entire territory of Mentougou, with many and long roads. These ancient roads mainly include commercial roads, military roads, and incense roads, which are interconnected. Among them, the historical relics of the commercial roads are the most, and after hundreds of years of history, they show a dilapidated and decadent appearance, but the charm of the ancient rhyme is still there. The ancient beacon smoke, ethnic exchanges, religious activities, city-building and border defense, as well as countless magical stories of ancient roads, west wind, thin horses, etc., are scattered or left on both sides of the ancient road. Today, let's talk about the things about the Cross Road Village in Beijing. The Cross Road Village is an abandoned ancient village in the deep mountains of Beijing. It was once an important pass on the ancient road of Jingshi. As for why it was abandoned, there are many rumors! According to relevant data, this village was located at the intersection of the ancient Jade River Road and the Tanwang Ancient Road. The Jade River Ancient Road goes from east to west, and the Tanwang Ancient Road goes from south to north, hence the name Cross Road. The city gate at the entrance of the village is called the Cross Road Pass, which is a well-known pass on the ancient road of Jingshi. The earliest record of this road can be traced back to the end of the Tang Dynasty, and it has been repaired in all dynasties ever since.

Xijing West Road Jingxi Ancient Road, not a single route, it is like a large network horizontally in the Mentougou District of Beijing, the road is many and long, these ancient roads mainly have commercial roads, military roads, incense roads, they are interoperable. Among them, the commercial roads have the most historical relics, and after a few hundred years of history, they have shown their disillusionment, and the ancient charm is still there. You can choose a short walk on your own, and the scenery is beautiful. In the valley of the spring waters, there is now a crystal clear icicle hanging upside down. The rivers that have been flowing in the past have now condensed into a continuous "silk" dancing in the mountains. There is a wide and magnificent ice waterfall hanging high above the cliff. Under the yellow grass, everything seems so devastating, and it is hard to sigh the wonders of nature. The ice of the tank knot combines with the unfrozen water to mirror the large and small waterfalls in the valley. The waterfall is like a solid art, waiting for the visitors to appreciate. They either solidify into a stupa of stupa, or calm down into a sharp sword, or bloom like a lotus flower, making people look intent. The tens of meters high waterfall is steep and vertical, and the layers of jade carvings stay on the cliffs. It is like a jade Buddha with ice and clear jade. Although the scenery is picturesque, there is no artificial carving. Walking in this snow and ice world, the heart is filled with joy.