The Songshan Forest Tourist Area is a part of the Songshan Natural Protection Region. It is situated to the northwest of Yanqing District, Beijing, in the middle of the Jundu Mountain region. It is more than 90 kilometers from the city. The tourist area is a specially administered region. It has an exceptional natural environment with rich plant and animal resources. In 1986, the area was designated as a National Nature Protection Area by the State Council. In the year 2000, it was designated as a Municipal Tourist Attraction.
The total area of the protection area is 4,660 hectares. The
core area is 1,819 hectares, the experimental area is 1,578 hectares, and the
tourist area is 1,263 hectares. There is a lot of wildlife within the park. The
forest is lush and dense, and there are more than 180 types of vertebrate
animals and 700 types of plants in the area. There are more than 50 hectares of
Chinese pines that have been well preserved. Stele inscriptions from the reign
of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty recorded about this area read as such,
Green pines and cypresses show off their beautiful dark green. In the spring
and autumn, hundreds of wild flowers are in full bloom and the birds are tuning
their singing voices here. The area thrives with natural vitality.
The
Haituo Mountain Peak within the beautiful park has an elevation of 2199.6
meters, and is the second highest peak in the Beijing area. There are also more
than 30 scenic spots such as the Natural Chinese Pines, the One-Hundred
Waterfall Spring, The Eight Immortals Cave, Flying Dragon Cliff, and other
natural splendors, each of which have their own special characteristics.
The Songshan Tourist Area enjoys a classical mountain climate. Because
of the high elevation and its geographic features, the climate is extremely easy
for people to bear. It is one of the few parts of Beijing that has a
lower-than-normal temperature. The average annual temperature here is 7 C, 4
degrees lower than Beijing and 2.9 degrees lower than in Chengde.
The hot springs of Songshan Mountain are popular for people of all ages, and the area has been a destination for medical pilgrimages for a long time. The temperature of the hot springs is 45 C. Every day more than 2,000 cubic meters of water pours from the springs. The water contains 37 different natural elements such as potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and others. The fluorine content in the water is as high as 12mg/liter, making the spring particularly effective for the treatment of skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatism and neuralgia. Over the ages, a great many people have been attracted to the baths.
The Songshan Natural Protection Zone is an ideal place for scientific
research or educational practices. It is also a great place to pass a vacation,
seek medical treatment, write poetry or paint, or enjoy the splendor of the
wilderness. After but a few years of development, the facilities here are quite
extensive.
Location: Zhangshanying Township, Yanqing County
Bus
Routes: Bus 919 from Desheng Gate and transfer to 920 at
Yanqing
Admission: 50 yuan (adults) ; 25 yuan (students)
Open
Hours: 08:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. (April 3rd to October 31st)
Telephone:
+86-10-69112020, 69112634
Website: www.songshan.org.cn