Lingshan, Lingshan Mountain – Mt. Lingshan Mentougou Beijing

Lingshan is the highest mountain in Beijing with its highest peak (Dong Lingshan ) at the sea-level of 2302 meters. Lingshan Mountain is about 122km from the downtown, easily accessible.

Lingshan Mountain takes an area of 15 square kilometers. To its east is Longmenjian; its west is Xiaolongmen Forest Park and the National Highway G109 and Baihuashan Mountain is south of Lingshan Mountain Scenic area.

Lingshan Mountain is located in the northwest of Mentougou District Beijing. Lingshan is famous for its high peaks, alpine meadows, and rich resources of animals and plants. Lingshan Scenic Area is also inclusive of two ancient high mountain villages – Hongshuikou Village and Jiangshuihe Village.

The ticket office is situated at the entrance to Hongshuikou Village. At the center of Lingshan Scenic Area is Jiangshuihe Village. Hongshuikou Village and Jiangshuihe Village is about 9 km apart.

Lingshan has a unique landscape. It has a changeable climate in summer with the mountain shrouded by mist. It has both the temperate zone of vegetation and Siberia vegetation – the growth of rhododendron, lilac, birch, hazel, rose and other plants, especially the well known high mountain meadows. It is also the haven for Xinjiang fine-wool sheep, Ili horses, yaks.

Lingshan Mountain has a short frost-free period with seasonal climate change – a short spring and autumn, longer summer and winter. The day temperature between Lingshan and Beijing downtown is about 10-12 degrees Celsius.

June, July, August are the peak tourist season. Due the low temperature in the high mountain, even in summer, tourists need to wear long-sleeved shirts, with rain gear. For the rest of the season, tourists are advised to wear thick padded garments. In the Mountain scenic area there are heavy coats for rental at the price of 10 yuan / piece.

Now follow us to have a glimpse of Lingshan Mountain.

After visiting Longmenjian Canyon, we drive south along the county-level highway for 10 km and meet the National Highway G109. We turn right and drive to the west on G109 for Lingshan Mountain.

It is very easy to find our way since there are several placards pointing the right direction to Lingshan on the way before we get to our destination – Lingshan Mountain.

Driving about 30km on the Highway G109, we see a placard and get off from the G109, then we continue to drive north for our destination.

There is a mountain leading to Dong Lingshan 2303 meters high. If you are going to hike Dong Lingshan, you should branch and go for Dong Lingshan.

We have no intention to climb the highest peak. So we continue to drive along the county-level highway for Jiangshuihe Village which is the center of Lingshan Scenic Area.

The 9-km drive road from Hongshuikou Village to Jiangshuihe Village is a sightseeing driving trail with stunning views – zigzag roads, towering peaks, grand canyons and even you can spot 2 or 3 watch towers of the Great Wall. The road used to be an important ancient Beijing path linking Beijing with the its west.

We see a watch tower of the Great Wall on the hillside high above the deep valley. There used to be several guide towers of Great Wall.

Here not only has Beijing’s largest spruce trees, the highest temple terrain, the longest high-altitude cable, but also the only breeding yak pastures in Beijing, a national level to protect animals – brown-eared pheasant.

One thing is quite strange that each household shows their names for accommodation and dining, a very clever act.