Beijing City Province - 6 Outer Suburbs of Beijing, by China Report

A map of the Northern Half of Beijing Municipality

( Beijing is an autonomous City Province ) including the Summer Palace, Jundu Mountains and The Badaling Great Wall of China, Mutianyu Great Wall of China and more details. Same Map of the Northern Half of Beijing Municipality,

but now viewable in Great Detail.

Satellite Image of the

Northern Half of Beijing Municipality.

Larger Area , but

roughly same as our

above Maps. A map of

a Section of the

Northern Half of

Beijing Municipality

centering on the

Shisan Ling 13 Ming Ming Dynasty Tombs at the foot of the Jundu Mountains and The Badaling Great Wall of China, nearby at the Juyung Pass 20 kilometers away.

Outside of Beijing City lies the City Province (Municipality) of Beijing, where there are even more worthwhile monumental, historical and scenic sites to visit and enjoy.

Starting with an Introduction and Overview of the Cities' Province and its facts and figures, this text Reviews the highlights and Main Scenic Sights to be visited in and around The Province. From those Monuments located nearest Beijing and those most well-known, to the remote and more obscure this pages gives a short but thorough introduction to Beijing City Province and its historic Monuments.

Covering a surface area of 16 Thousand 800 Square Kilometers (6.487 sq. Miles) Beijing Municipality is one of China's 4 large City Provinces. To the South-East lies Tianjin Municipality and all other surrounding area's are taken up by Hebei Province.

Today Beijing Municipality counts some 15 Million + inhabitants, spread over 16 Districts and 2 Townships. For proper understanding and easy navigation and travel throughout the Province however, it is easier to see things in a slightly simplified perspective.

For all practical purposes, the recently "unlocked" City Province can be divided into Three Rings or Layers. The Inner Suburbs, the 6 Outer Suburbs and the 4 Rural Districts of Beijing.

The first Layer consists of the Inner Suburbs of Beijing, some of who's Monuments used to demand quite some traveling time and in practice lay at quite some traveling distance from the Ancient Walls of the Ming and Ching Dynasty Capital, and the Central City Center within the 2nd ring road.

The Inner Suburbs are Chaoyang District (朝阳区: Cháoyáng Qū), Haidian District (海淀区: Hǎidiàn Qū), Fengtai District (丰台区: Fēngtái Qū) and Shijingshan District (石景山区: Shíjǐngshān Qū).

Although until at least 2002 AD, the Northern Parts of Haidian District including both Summer Palace locations were in practice part of the Province rather than the City, in recent years this situation has been dramatically changed by the advent of modernity in Beijing

A Geographic Map overview of North-East China's Hebei Province entire, delineating Hebei Provincial Borders, Beijing City Province, Tianjin City Province and parts of neighboring Shanxi-, LiaoNing- and Shandong Provinces and Inner Mongolia AR. Map includes Great Wall of China Locations in Hebei Province, Main Cities and Towns (shown by size), Hebei Province Monuments, Main Mountains (with Height), major highways, railroads, waterways, and Airports (National & International) and links to furher information.

and an explosion in infra-structure spending. Blessed with the new Beijing City Public Transportation System as well as a remarkably expanded highway and road network the first three of these districts (Chaoyang,Haidian and Fengtai) are now well integrated and to be considered part of the City rather than the Province.

For Instance - the World Cultural Heritage Site of the (new) Summer Palace, the Yiheyuan of the Ching Dynasty Era (1644 AD - 1911 AD), was not connected to the Metro/Subway system, nor reachable by train in the past. The only options to visit this Great Palace and Park Garden were to travel by guided tour-bus, private cab or the cheapest but most time consuming method- the bus-line from Qianmen Bus Station, through Xidan and Xizhimen northward into Haidian. As can be deduced from the Map of the new "Olympic" underground transportation system, Subway Line 4 (aquatic blue) now reaches through Haidian to connect directly to the Old Summer Palace Ruins (YuanMingYuan) and the next stop, Summer Palace & Museum Garden south gate and ticket office.

Adjacent Changping County to the East lies Shunyi County.

The Village of Shunyi lies due North of the Chaoyang Business District and is the home of its very own architectural marvel, the renewed Capital Airport with its stunning new Terminal and great rail and subway connections to all Northern Districts. Apart from the airport Shunyi County is home to the Tianzhu Development Zone - located in the region abutting the airport to the west. Among things the Tianzhu Development Zone has the largest international exhibition center in China, opened in early 2008 AD.

Shunyi is no longer a village by all means and an industrial zone with lots of economic activities. In practical terms it has become an indispensable district of the larger Metropolis of Beijing. Apart from all this Shunyi County is also the location of the "Beijing Central Villas District", a extended neighborhood with luxury housing and villa's for both the local well-to-do and foreign expats. From west to east, the villas' of Shunyi County include EuroVillage, the River Garden, Le Leman Lake, Capital Paradise, Gahood, Yosemite - one of the earliest- and Dragon Bay Villa. The Villas' area is a suburban downtown area which includes its own set of mini shopping malls and entertainment centra.

In the advent of the 2008 AD Olympic Games of Beijing a Rowing-Canoeing Park was constructed in the Shunyi District, now the busy sports facility of Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

Shunyi can be reached through the Subway/Metro system using the red line, connecting through SihuiDong Station Northwards on the Grey Line.

Dwell around the 40 square kilometer Ming Dynasty necropolis some 50 kilometers outside the city of Beijing proper, a complex designed and built in the 15Th century Daoist-Confucianist style and home to the burial tombs of 13 of the total of 16 Ming Dynasty Emperors. Take the Introductionary Tour and follow up with a Full Walk through Chang Ling Mausoleum, the oldest Tomb lying Central in the Ming Tombs Valley, China's Valley of the Kings. Chang Ling is the burial site of Zhu Di, Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, one of the greatest Emperors that ever lived in China. Find out more about China's rich history, The Ming Dynasty and much more.

Due South of the Historic downtown of Beijing lies the Daxing District. Daxing District (Simplified Chinese: 大兴区; Pinyin: Dàxīng Qū) was before an outlying city area but now is a suburb Beijing. Covering an area of 1,012 square kilometers, Daxing District is divided into nine towns and 18 townships with a population of 671,444. Although now connected through the subway/metro system, Daxing can best be seen as one of the satellite cities of Beijing. In the 1990's it was a remote urban area with few foreign visitors. Today, it remains a city section without much interesting sights of historic or entertainment value.

One worthwhile site to visit however is the Beijing Milu Yuan Park, a relic site of the Former Hunting Grounds of the Emperors of the Yuan, Ming and Ching Dynasties. Located near the Nan Hai Zi, or souther marshes of Beijing, the Park is home to the Pere David's deer (milu), a strange deerlike creature that became extinct in China toward the end of the Ching Dynasty Era (1644 AD - 1911 AD).

Currently the Milu Yuan Park functions as a biological research center that maintains a number of 200 Milu, who can be seen at the Park. Furthermore, some 400 of the odd-looking Milu - the Milu have the neck of a camel, horns of a stag, feet of a cow, and tail of a donkey- have been returned to the wild, reintroducing the species in China. Beijing Milu Yuan is probably the best place on earth to see the Milu Deer in their most natural environment. The Animals graze, enjoy green pastures and forest and have abundant fresh water. Apart from the Deer the Milu Park is home to a great variety of migratory birds who are attracted to the Marsh Lands. As such, the Milu Yuan serves as an important wildlife reserve in North-East China.

Other Park atrractions include several exhibitions and a Museum of Extinct Species, warning visitors to have a proper respect for Nature and Wildlife.

Travel to Beijing Milu Yuan Park through the Qianmen Tower and Station at the South of The Square of Heavenly Peace (TiananMen Sq.). From Qianmen Bus Station underneath the Towers south side, take Bus Line 729 to Jiu Gong Bus Stop. At Jiu Gong Bus stop switch to mini bus transport for Beijing Milu Yuan. Its only s hort drive.

Near and Panggezhuang Village in Daxing many watermelons are grown, a fruit for which the Village is famous watermelons. However, since the Famous Melons are available throughout the cities hutong, this hardly calls for an urgent visit.

The Fifth of the Outer Suburbs is the Fangshan District, best known by foreigners and Chinese alike for its Peking Man Site. Located near Zhoukoudian Zhen or Village is a congregations of Caves in which, in the 1920's, evidence of a primitive human creature was found. To be exact, the Peking Man Site was discovered by Svedish archeologist Johan Gunnar Andersson in 1921 AD and was first excavated by Otto Zdansky in 1921 and 1923 AD. unearthing two human teeth. Later to be determined to be archeological traces of an early specimen of homo erectus not previously known, the finds caused quite a stir worldwide and made Zhoukoudian famous in archeological history as well as Chinese National History. Eversince, the first finds, fissures in the limestone in the caves have yielded the remains of about 40 individuals as well as animal remains and stone flake and chopping tools. The objects and remains found vary between 200.000 years old and 750,000 years old.

Although famous and a National Relic, the Peking Man has disappeared literally into history. That is, when the long expected final Japanese Invasion and War of Japan against China began in 1937 AD, the Peking Man was in Beijing. In an attempt to move it out of harms way, the archeological relics were packed into wooden boxes and sent by train to Tianjin. The trail leads to the grounds of the Tianjin University, however after having arrived there the traces of Peking Man vanish. The whereabouts of Peking Man remain a mystery today.

Another one of the historic Monuments of Fangshan District is the Yunju temple, a Buddhist shrine complex with quite some reputation among Chinese Natives. With a stunning architecture and many pavilions and pagodas constructed along the foot of Mount Baidai, the Yunju Temple is certainly wortwhile a visit. It can be considered as one of the hidden Jewels of the City Province.

The Temple Complex apart from having precious Buddhist relics, including “Sakyamuni’s Bone” and 14,278 stone slabs with sculpted Buddhist sutras the Temple Complex features an array of historical structures. Among these, seven Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 907 AD) Era pagodas and five Liao Dynasty Era pagodas, all of them well preserved. Among these, the North Pagoda, dating from the Liao Dynasty, is a unique architectural wonder. The upper part is Bell shaped, and the middle part is in the shape of a drum.

Next in line clockwise around is the Tongzhou District which lies due South of Shunyi County and East of the historic downtown area's.

Tongzhou, the town is well-known among those interested in Chinese History for it is the location of the Northern End of China's "Grand Canal", a man-made waterway and trading route equal in historic importance to the Silk Road and even The Great Wall of China itself. First constructed during the 6Th Century Sui Dynasty and elongated during the Tang Dynasty Era (618 AD - 907 AD), the Grand Canal reached its longest length during the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, it connected the Capital of Beijing in the North all the way to Huangzhou in the lakes are of current day Zhejiang Province, a distance of about 1200 miles. Apart from Being a vital economic conduit during most of Chinese History, it was also a vital artery through which the grain supplies of the Capital City of Beijing were assured.

Find Tongzhou Town at some 12 kilometers due East from downtown Beijing. To be exact, Tongzhou Town today is considered the very (eastern) end of the longest and widest avenue in Asia, Beijing's famed Chang 'An (Eternal Peace) Avenue. One could get in a Cab at TiananMen Square and simply drive down to Tongzhou and Grand Canal Cultural Park for a surprise visit ! Since the year 2008, Tongzhou is also connected to the Beijing Subway System through an extension of Line 1, the red line that travels through the North of TiananMen Square, passed Oriental Plaza and along Dong Chang 'An Avenue.

Apart from the Grand Canal, Tongzhou District has the recently popular attraction of The Songzhuang artists' village or community, a place where many Chinese contemporary artists live and work. Mostly popular with those inspired by modern Chinese Art, the Songzhuan Community sprang up in the year 2003 AD in the midst of an economic boom and an influx of wealthy overseas investors interested in investing in the now highly popular Chinese Modern Paintings and the Like. Songzhuan Artists Community provides an alternative for the downtown art galleries of the Red Gate, Wanfung Gallery and the Forbidden City Art Gallery.

There are no popular historic sites to visit in Tongzhou Town or District.

Changping District is located due North-West of Beijing across the Northern Borders of Haidian and is among the first destination of interest for most Tourists and Visitors since it is home to the 13 Ming Tombs (Shisan Ling) and the Badaling Great Wall of China.

Changping District (Simplified Chinese: 昌平区; Hanyu Pinyin: Chāngpíng Qū), was a County until 1999 AD. Covering an area of 1,430 square kilometers, the District has Changping Town as the Capital and counts two more towns - Nankou and Xiaotangshan, 26 townships, one state-owned farm and a special tourist zone.

The Village of Changping is located about 34 kilometers

famed Western Hills of Beijing, at the foot of which lies the Imperial Pleasure Garden of the Imperial Summer Palace (YiheYuan) itself. The Western Hills extend throughout both Mentugou and parts of Fangshan District as well as a section of Shijingshan District and were once the luxury Home of Sir Reginald Flemming Johnston better known as the Tutor to the Dragon Emperor. Another famous temporary inhabitant of the area was Mao Zedong, who stayed in a Villa in the Fragrant Hills Park after the taking of Beijing in early 1949 AD (He later moved to Zhongnanhai). The Villa was the sight of the Early Headquarters of the Communist Party Headquarters in Beijing and is the historic location where most of the work on setting up the provisionary Government for the Future Peoples Republic of China (established Oct. 1, 1949 AD) was done. Especially among older revolutionaries it is known as the Fragrant Hills Hotel.

As his bodyguard recalls in the Book "Mao Zedong Man, Not God", shortly after the Central Committee and the Chairman occupied the Fragrant Villa, the soldiers and officers of the Guard took a liking to shooting their rifles at the many colorful birds enriching the beauty of the Hills. It became quite a common thing to kill the birds, who fell in flocks, until one day an incident occurred and the Chairman was confronted with the corrupted little corpses the

Starting with the foothills which are known as the Fragrant Hills, the Entire Western Hills area has long been a retreat for Chinese scholars, religious men, and members of the government and civil service and the Hilly Area is a treasure trove of cultural and historical Treasures. Not only that, the area is also abundant in greenery and wildlife, and Mentugou District supplies Beijing with fresh agricultural produce such as roses, wild jujubes, mushrooms, and Beijing white pears.

Among the most attractive highlights of the Western Hills are the Fragrant Hills Park, the Beijing Botanical Gardens and The Temple of the Azure Clouds - both near Fragrant Hills Park, the Temple of the

Reclining Buddha (Wofo Si) as part of Beijing Botanical Gardens, Tanzhe Si, the Rose Valley and nearby Zhenzu lake and further out West, the Yanhe City remnants.

To the northwest of the Fragrant Hills Park are lie more scenic sights such as Jiufeng (Vulture Peak) Forest Park (鹫峰森林公园), Dajue Temple, and Fenghuanling (Phoenix Ridge) Scenic Area.

Fragrant Hills Park or better Incense Burning Peak Park (Xiang Shan Gongyuan) is a Public Park in Beijing which is not part of the Mentougou District, but lies just across its borders within Haidian District of Beijing. The 1.6 Square Kilometer (395 acres) Park consists mainly of a natural pine-cypress forest, hills with maple trees, smoke trees and persimmon trees, as well as landscaped areas. First constructed during the Jin Dynasty (1115 AD - 1234 AD), who's Capital Yanjing was destroyed by the conquering Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1234 AD -1368 AD), the Park combines Jewels of traditional architecture with magnificent Chinese gardens. As a Historical Temple the Zhijong Monastery inside the Fragrant Hills Park houses a unique historic collection of cultural relics and has a unusually pointy 8 Storied Pagoda which can be recognized from afar. Among these Relics is the former Residence of Cao Xueyin (1715 AD - 1763 AD) renowned as the writer of Chinese Literary Classic "A Dream of Red Mansions".

The Chinese name of the Park derives from the park's highest peak, Xianglu Feng (Incense Burner Peak), a 557 meters (1827 ft) hill with two large stones resembling incense burners at the top.

Read more on the Fragrant Hills Park on the Haidian Landmarks & Hotspots Page - Click Here !

Beijing Botanical Gardens (Chinese: 北京植物园; pinyin: Běijīng Zhíwùyuán) is a located roughly between Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) Park and Jade Spring Mountain (zh:玉泉山) in the Western Hills of Beijing as part of the Haidian District. Once the pride of the Nation and doubling as an important University Research Facility the Beijing Botanical Garden was established in 1955 AD. Today it covers a large area of 564,000 square meters the main portions - naturally- are taken up by Gardens and a multitude of plants and flowers. Apart from the usual Roses and Peonies this park features much more. Rare and unique attractions include a traditional Chinese medical herb garden, Greenhouses, exhibition halls, wild fruits,an endangered plants section, there is vineyard and testing station and them some. Latest additions include studies into environmental protection and water resourcing and an exhibition greenhouses for tropical and subtropical plants. Last but not least there are several Buddhist temples located within the grounds of the botanical garden, most notably the Wofo Si or Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Guards had brought in. The Chairman, in his sudden humanity, with the poetic spirit of a scholar and the simple nature of a peasant, took pity on the Birds. From that day on forward there were no more shootings and the birds were admired and enjoyed for the beauty and comfort they brought to the luxurious Party Home on the western outskirts of their age old Capital. Each single one could do and move about as it pleased and twitter its lively tune.

According to sources, exactly 40 years later during the hot summer of 1989 AD, the Politburo of the Communist Party of China retreated briefly to the cooling heights of the Western Hills and the Hotel, only that time it was strictly a crisis-meeting in order to deal appropriately with the unrest in the Central City. After the Party elders - among whom Deng Xiaoping - had been forced to "go back to their roots" (if you will), the Peoples Liberation Army had to be called in to restore order to an entire Nation in turmoil. Once more the Fragrant Hills played a short but important role in the Governance of the Chinese Nation.

Blessed with hundreds of hills and peaks the Western Hills can be seen from downtown Beijing's Bell-Tower on a clear day, but in fact lie at quite a distance travel from the City.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is located in the Western Hills at the southern foot of Jubao (also called Shou' an) Mountain, about 20 kilometers from Beijing City Center. Set as an integrated part of the Beijing Botanical Gardens, the rear of the temple is set beautifully against the mountain cliffs; at its front are open fields. Today's Reclining Buddha Temple was completed in the year 1724 AD, however, a temple was first built on this location during the Zhenguan period (627 AD - 249 AD) of the Tang Dynasty. During Yuan Dynasty Reign the Temple received a large-scale 250 Ton bronze image of the Buddha attaining Nirvana (which means he is in the reclining position), giving the Temple its name. Although hidden away in what seems to be a remote destination at some distance Travel from the City center, a visit to the Western Hills and Reclining Buddha Temple and Temple Gardens is possible traveling either by Bus, the Subway/Metro System and/or private cab.

Another worthwhile site to mention in Changping County is of a much more modern nature and is the (National) Aviation Museum. Not to be mistaken with the Aviation Museum of Beijing University in the Haidian District, the National Aviation Museum is located on the site of an old airbase once full of MIG's flying in defense of the Capital Beijing. At a distance of around 40 kilometers from the Central City it is now a large museum with a flashing display on Chinese Aviation History, air-defense, rocketry, the Korean Air War supported by China and more.

The National Aviation Museum was opened on the occasion of the 40Th Birthday of founding of the National Air Force and is the jewel in the crown of the Beijing Military. It is also known as the Air Force Museum.

Travel the distance and find the museum to inspect over 200 types of Chinese Aircraft. From early 20Th Century models to (just about) the very latest in Chinese Design. Naturally, the most recent developments are not included but this does not make the Museum any less worthwhile. For those who always wished to visit and inspect a communist Chinese airbase, here is truly unique opportunity. The only way to get there is to take Bus Line No. 912 at Andingmen station, and get off at the gate of the Aviation Museum directly. A Taxi Driver may not be familiar with the Place. Travel companies do not frequently offer tours to the base and museum.

Nearby is the Xiao Tang Hill (XiaoTangShan) which overlooks the base.

The last attraction of Changping County is the International Shooting Range. However, this is not a public or tourist facility.

Changping County is renowned for its numerous scenic spots and tourist facilities among which first and foremost the Ming Dynasty Tombs and Valley.

The Ming Dynasty Tombs are a renowned World Cultural Heritage Site as they are the not only the 13 Burial Tombs of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD) Emperors, the ones that ruled from Beijing, they are also the only unique and preserved architectural remnants of such sites from the early Ming Dynasty surviving today, combining Confucian and Taoist ingredients. Apart from a Triumphal Gate and a long ceremonial causeway with statues of Animals, Generals, and Advisors, and the Ming Tombs Valley contains 13 burial sites. The most visited is the largest one, Chang Ling, the burial site of the Yongle Emperor who refounded Beijing as the Imperial Capital of the Ming. There are further an interesting and impressive Museum plus a whole rural valley to explore. Hiking in the area is greatly appreciated by many and it there are several trails through the surrounding area's. Although now much more developed, the Ming Tombs Valley is a Level 1 Protected site, and the valley -often shrouded

in mist in winter- offers a great getaway from the City Noise and Bustle.

Equal in historic significance as well as Tourist Popularity is the Great Wall at Badaling and the Jujong Guan Pass and Garrison Fortress. Although technically just across the border of Changping in Yanqing County, both Sites can be visited in combination for an excellent day. Most Tour-bus Itineraries include both, direct bus-lines from the city have been in operation for years and apart from the Changping and Badaling train stations, there is now a Metro/Subway connection as well.

More original is to undertake a visit the Inner Layers of the Great Wall of China. Equally famous and historically working in conjunction with the Badaling Pass in the protection of the City of Beijing is the Nankou Pass. Although part of an Inner Layer, the Nankou Pass and Great Wall of China have seen considerable history, and the last battles fought on the Pass date from the Japanese Invasion of mainland China in 1937 AD.

Nankou was always the first or the last hurdle to be taken. Its Great Wall of China sites are mostly unrepaired and interesting to Visit. To walk along the entire stretch: head Southward out of the Ming Tombs Valley and find the Great Wall of Nankou Pass at the North-West corner of the Ming Tombs Lake Fresh Water reservoir and head due West from there. About halfway the Inner Great Wall lies Nankou Pass, through which now runs the Beijing-Badaling Expressway. Take the pedestrian walkway passing over the busy traffic and continue due West. After a while the Wall makes a barely noticeable turn to head to the South-West. This section ends at a place called Xilongkou,the next pass gate, due west of Gecun Village.

Apart from these main places of interest the Fangshan District has many scenic spots like Shidu’s mountains and waters, the unique Stoneflower Cave and a natural ancient forests in the Shangfangshan Mountains.

Fangshan is situated to the east of the Taihang Mountains. The east and south of the district is a fertile plain, with a narrow hilly area running from northeast to southwest. The district has many rivers and lakes among which the Juma river, Dashihe river, Yongding river, and Xiaoqing river. Although blessed with several water sources, the district, as does the entire city, experiences an increasing water shortage which is met by applying evermore ingenious solutions. Since 1998 AD Fangshan is under development as an industrial zone with no less than 345 companies and growing. Among these are many international companies, transforming the old Fangshan County into an

As can be deduced the above schematic Map of the Area, Biyun Si can be found immediately West of Fragrant Hills Park. It is easy to find. Simply find the Northern Gate of the Fragrant Hills Park, and head across the road outside of it. Next Stop: Temple o/t Azure Clouds !

Renowned for its many historical and cultural relics, the fine Biyun Si - Temple of the Azure Clouds counts as a landmark of Political Significance as well, as it is the Temple where the body of the founding Father of China's 1st Republic, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, was kept after his Death in 1925 AD. Visitors can find an exhibit and old photos from the episode at the Temple. For those more interested in scenery and architecture the Jewel in the Crown of their visit may well be the masterpiece Diamond Throne Pagoda (Jingang Baozuo Ta). Originally constructed in 1366 AD, the Pagoda is of an unusual Indian Design and stands among accompanying Stupa's. Climb the Pagoda to enjoy a smashing view of the surroundings and don't forget to find your way to the Hall of Arhats, and 18Th Century addition to the Temple which holds 512 statues of which 500 of the Buddha's Disciples known as the Arhats.

Beyond the Fragrant Hills lies the District of Mentugou of which the next main scenic spot to visit is the Tanzhe Si or Temple of the Pool and (the) Zhe Tree. (Chinese: 潭柘寺; pinyin: Tán Zhè Sì).

Although located in a remote section of the Western Hills, off highway 108 in the Mentugou District, as one of the oldest surviving Temples in Beijing entire, this structure receives quite a substantial amount of daily visitors. In fact, surprisingly it is one of the most well-known Temples in the City !

Not only was Tanzhe Si first built a staggering 1600 years ago (Jin Dynasty (265 AD–420 AD), it was once one of the most important Temples in the Nation.

Today the Buddhist Temple remains active and its 6.8 hectares of grounds offer a multitude of spiritual attractions and natural bliss. Over time more structures were added and most of the existing buildings in the temple are from the Ming

Fahai Temple Temple is part of Shijingshan District.

For those who insist on going this far, beyond and Qingshujian the Village of Xiaweidian lies the Rose Valley. To travel there, either a Car or a planned trip by railway from Beijing Southern Station is needed.

The Rose Valley lies in the far West on the Border of Mentougou District and Hebei Province. Nourished by the waters of nearby Zhuwo Fresh Water Reservoir (constructed in 1958 AD and now euphemistically renamed Pearl Lake) the Rose Valley is locally renowned as the main growing area of Roses in the Region and most roses found in Beijing have been grown here.

In the immediate vicinity lie the obscure Zhenzu lake and further out West, the Yanhe City historic remnants.

This Area is Part of Yanchi Township, nearly rural and knows wide open spaces, natural sceneries and increasingly steep and high mountains. Among things, dare devils can get to work on climbing

Vulture Peak - Jui Shan and explore its Forest Park (鹫峰森林公园), go explore Dajue Temple, and Fenghuanling (Phoenix Ridge) Scenic Area.

Dajue Temple, or the Temple of Enlightenment, is a renowned old Temple supposedly well over a 1000 years old. Set between rolling hills, sometimes said to resemble a sleeping lion, Dajue Temple stands at the foot of Yangtai Hill. Among its greatest attractions are its near rural setting and a little river spring flowing through the Temple from the highest Hall and Courtyard..

The Yanchi Township knows two ancient Caves - Sanxian and Gaibuyan Caves, as well as -mind you- the oldest surviving bridge in Asia entire !

To get to Dajue Temple (and Miaoling Villa), take the Badaling Highway to the north and get off at the Beianhe Exit. Then take Beiqing Road to a T-junction. Turn left for the villa and turn right for the temple. Check your road signs along the way to make sure.

To Get there to Pearl Lake Scenic Area: try taking Bus Line 336 from Pingguoyuan Subway/Metro Station to Hetan; take Mid-size bus to Zhaitang and then transfer to a small public bus to Zhenzhu Lake. Take your Time since it is quite a trip. An overnight stay could well be considered in order to further explore this area. Blue sky, white clouds, small rivers, mountains and steep gorges provide a stunning landscape excellent for pleasure hiking and perhaps fishing. A most worthwhile Canyon to visit is Yongding River Gorge. Also known as Yanjing’s three small gorges of the north or Small Lijiang.

On the Border with Hebei Province lie Miaofeng shan and Lingshan Mountain, the highest mountain in the entire Jundu Shan Range encircling Beijing. A most remote location of the Great Wall near Beijing, known as the "Seven Floor" Great Wall of China can be found in this area.

The Lingshan Mountain, with an elevation of over 2,300 meters (7,546 feet), is the highest mountain in Beijing and it has the reputation as 'Beijing's Mount Everest'. About 120 kilometers (75 miles) from downtown Beijing, it lies in the northwest of Mentugou District. The superb natural scenic area is renowned for its magnificent mountain peaks, a vast area of alpine meadow, and a rich resource of animals and plants. In the south the mountain faces the beautiful Baihua Mountain, and is close to the grand Longmen Gully in the east. Nearby is a rare attraction in the city of Beijing, the only farm in Beijing for Yak, Xinjiang fine wool sheep, and Yili horse, a kind of sturdy horse. Find it located on an alpine meadow at an elevation of over 1,900 meters (6,234 feet)inside the valley.

This area awaits you with tempting scenery of plateau and grassland. The vast alpine meadows resemble a green carpet covering the mountain top. There are 825 acres of woods and an abundance of rare plants and over 700 species of animals found here.

Foxes can be spotted, flocks of berghaan, squirrels, stirring hares, wild goats and mothers. The endangered species of rare brown-eared pheasants is aid to inhabit the area.

Hikers are advised to be aware of the wild boars, which can attack viciously especially when fostering their young.

To Travel to Lingshan Mountain take Bus Route Number 929 Zhi (929支) to Shuangtangjian (双塘涧), and then take a taxi to the Lingshan Mountain (灵山自然风景区). One can also hire a Private Cab for a day and get there in style. Mind the gridlock of Beijing's Road's and go on Time !

Read more on the Beijing Botanical Gardens and Wofo Si on the Haidian Landmarks & Hotspots Page - Click Here !

For a Bus Trip use Bus-Lines Numbers 333 (via Summer Palace) and Bus 318 from nearby PingguoYuan Station of the Red Subway Line 1, 360 (from Beijing Zoo), 904, or use the special tour buses from Qianmen Bus Station located off the South End of TiananMen Square in the City Center. The westward bound trains of the Subway/Metro Line 4 - the RED LINE, will take you to its end station at PingguoYuan, from where one can explore both the Temple and the wider Area.

All three of the above highlights, Beijing Botanical Gardens, Fragrant Hills Park and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha can be visited in combination for a great day. And even then there is more. A Fourth Monument stands just nearby and is the Biyun Si,better known as the Temple of the Azure Clouds.

Especially of Interest to those involved with the Beijing City Economy, Beijings Yi Zhuang district is a Part of Daxing District that was developped as a High Technology Development Zone.

The Yi Zhuang Zone is located approximately 16.5 Kilometers (10 miles) to the South-East of central Beijing and by now is home to about 20 more enterprises ranked among the worlds top 500. Factories of YiZhuang Zone include Nokia, Coca-Cola, GE and car-maker Mercedes-Benz. Other industries are Pharmaceutical and Medical Companies.

The Special Development Zone has seen a rapid growth over the last few years, becoming ranked among one of the countries finest and most important. It is a bit of an elite community.

The total added value of high-tech industry in Beijing Yi Zhuang Scientific-technological Development Area accounts for 20% of added value of all industries in Beijing and Yi Zhuan, 15 years ago a small agricultural village, is now a satellite city and white collar workers community near Beijing.

Apart from this Yi Zhuang Economic Development Zone is home to Beijing's first and only Grand Prix Circuit.

The circuit is made up of sections of the main roads within the high-technology economic development area. In November 2006 AD saw its first race, the third round of the A1GP. However, since in March 2007 the Shanghai Daily Newspaper announced that no more races would be held at Yizhuang Racetrack due to the high cost of preparing the roads for racing.

Much of the industry in Daxing is related to distribution of food and consumer goods to service Beijing. Daxing is further somewhat noted for its many hutong like villages for china's many city migrants. moved in from the countryside without a residential permit and seeking employment in Beijing's construction and other industries, most are poor and have to resort to self-built housing, creating communities of little sheds and homes that are a modern reflection of the ancient Hutong created after the City of Beijing was layed to waste by the conquering Mongol Armies in 1215 AD.