Is it true that the mountains can speak? Here in Fangshan District, the mountains echo with tales of ancient civilizations. Fangshan District is a district of Beijing steeped in history and natural beauty. It is located southwest of Beijing. Fangshan is not just a geographical location. It’s a journey through time.
Imagine standing here centuries ago. You would see the bustling Yan Capital Site of the Western Zhou Dynasty. This dates back to the 11th century BC. It is a crucial piece of Chinese history. Today, the Liulihe Site houses the Western Zhou Yan State Capital Museum.
Fangshan District is known as the “Home of the Dragon”. This is because of the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian. This site is 700,000 years old. The district also boasts a superior ecological environment. It acts as a crucial ecological barrier for Beijing.
Consider the Temple of Cloud Dwelling, also known as Yunju Temple. It holds precious Buddhist relics. These relics include “Sakyamuni’s Bone”. There are also 14,278 stone slabs with sculpted Buddhist sutras.
Fangshan’s landscape is diverse. It features mountains, highlands, and plains. Rivers like the Juma River and Yongding River flow through the district. These rivers ensure abundant water resources. This makes Fangshan ideal for agriculture. The area produces wheat, rice, and high-quality fruits.
Let’s talk about the climate. Fangshan has a humid continental climate. The average annual temperature is 12.5 degrees Celsius. July is the wettest month.
Fangshan is also rich in mineral resources. It contains 2.1 billion tons of coal reserves. This makes it a “coal storehouse” west of Beijing. Marble deposits total 450 million cubic meters. “Chinese white marble” is famous worldwide.
In 2017, the regional GDP of Fangshan District was 68.17 billion yuan. The GDP per capita was 59.1 thousand yuan. The district has developed from traditional agriculture to a modern industrial system.
Transportation in Fangshan is convenient. The Jingguang and Jingyuan railways cross the district. The Jingshi Expressway also passes through. Fangshan Line and Yanfang Line provide metro services.
Fangshan District offers many scenic spots. Visit Shidu’s karst landscape. Explore the Stone Flower Cave. Discover natural ancient forests in Shangfang Mountains. Fangshan Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark. It is shared with neighboring Hebei.
Fangshan continues to evolve. It balances economic development with ecological preservation. As you explore Fangshan, remember its layers of history. From Peking Man to modern industry, Fangshan District is a testament to China’s enduring spirit.