Baxian Mountain, located in the northwest of Ji County, Tianjin, is approximately 140 kilometers from Beijing and 150 kilometers from Tianjin, making it an ideal destination for weekend leisure and hiking in the Beijing-Tianjin area. The mountain is densely forested, with rivers and waterfalls among the trees, creating a beautiful environment. Every autumn, the mountain is adorned with a stunning display of red leaves.
The Baxian Mountain Nature Reserve features unique landforms, including natural wonders such as the ‘Skyline’, ‘Heavenly Ladder’, and ‘Ten Thousand Volumes of Heaven’s Books’. Visitors can also witness ancient rock walls that are billions of years old, offering the fascinating experience of ‘stepping across 1.8 billion years’. The scenic area of Baxian Mountain extends about 5 kilometers deep, with the highest peak, Ju Xian Peak, reaching over a thousand meters above sea level. The main route for visitors is to climb Ju Xian Peak, which can be reached on foot in about 3-4 hours. Alternatively, one can take the electric carts within the scenic area, which are divided into two sections, ending at the mid-mountain area. From there, it takes about half an hour to climb the stone steps to the summit. After reaching the top, visitors can either return to the parking lot via the same route or descend along Taiping Gully back to the main entrance of the scenic area. The entrance to Baxian Mountain Scenic Area is located at the foot of the mountain on the south side. Once inside, visitors can follow the mountain road on the right to hike or ride, enjoying the landscape dominated by geological features such as the ‘Crocodile Head’, ‘Stone Waterfall’, ‘Ten Thousand Volumes of Heaven’s Books’, and ‘Heavenly Ladder’. There are also ponds and waterfalls, creating a beautiful interplay of mountains and waters. However, this section does not stop if taken by vehicle, so visitors can enjoy the views on both sides from the car. The ‘Golden Turtle Looking at the Big Dipper’ marks the end of the first electric cart section. From here, visitors must walk along the plank road on the right side of the road. The plank road is not long, and it takes about half an hour to walk. Deep in the plank road, there are several clear and beautiful small pools such as ‘Yulong Deep Sea’, ‘Pearl Beach’, and ‘Yao Pool’. Among them, Pearl Beach is the essence, with many white stones in the pool water, making the water emerald green and very beautiful. While walking on the plank road, visitors can also look eastward to see the Great Wall built during the Northern Qi Dynasty winding through the mountains, which is very spectacular. After a loop around the plank road, visitors arrive at the Camel Peak, where they can take the second section of the electric cart or continue to hike. The distance by car is very short, and soon visitors will arrive at the small parking lot, which is the end of the electric cart and where all visitors must walk to climb the mountain. First, they will pass through the Forest Bathing Area, a dense forest with a cool and refreshing atmosphere, making it very pleasant to visit in the summer. After passing through the forest, visitors arrive at Ming An Liang, where the road is steep and requires climbing stone steps to the summit.After passing through the stone-paved path, you arrive at the summit of Juxian Peak, where the view is extremely expansive. Looking around, one must feel a sense of relief and exhilaration. Every autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves that catch the eye, making it an excellent spot for photography. On the north side of Juxian Peak, there is a flat large stone slab known as the Baxian Stone.
Legend has it that the Eight Immortals once picnicked and rested here, which is the origin of the name Baxian Mountain. Baxian Stone is a famous camping site accessible by mountain paths. Continuing west from Baxian Stone leads to Limutai Scenic Area, but this route is only recommended for outdoor enthusiasts, and general tourists are advised against it. From Juxian Peak, you can either retrace your steps back to the parking lot and take a vehicle down the mountain or walk down from Taiping Gully. Along the road of Taiping Gully, there are several uniquely shaped rocks such as the Flying Stone, the Turtle’s Shell, and the Meditation Stone. You can choose to visit these based on your interest, and it takes about 1-2 hours to descend the mountain. After visiting Baxian Mountain, you can either return directly or stay overnight locally and then proceed to the nearby Limutai Scenic Area. The two scenic areas are directly accessible by taking the ‘Jixian-Xiaogang’ bus, or you can arrange transportation through local farmhouses. There are several farmhouses near the entrance of Baxian Mountain Scenic Area, with rooms costing around 100 yuan each. You can relax in the simple rural courtyard surrounded by peaks and enjoy authentic local farm dishes, which is very pleasant. The entire area is open year-round from 08:30 to 17:00. Preferential policy for medical staff nationwide (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan): Medical staff nationwide (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from the day the scenic area resumes operations until December 31, 2020, can exchange for a free ticket at the scenic area’s ticket window with their medical practice certificate or nursing practice certificate. Free additional note: The above information is for reference only; please refer to the information disclosed by the scenic area on the day of your visit. Service facilities include transportation within the park: sightseeing buses are available next to the Baxian Mountain ticket office, operating from 8:30 to 16:00, with a round trip fare of 50 yuan per person. Cash, WeChat, and Alipay are accepted, and the buses operate at intervals within the scenic area. Essential tips: 1. Around November each year, the scenic area may close for a period due to forest fire prevention zones; please confirm by phone before departure. 2. In rainy weather, the mountain climbing route is more dangerous, and the scenic area may close; it is recommended to confirm and verify before departure and pay attention to the weather conditions.
