“Did you bring your hiking boots?” I ask. Today we explore Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area. This gem sits in Fangshan District.
Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area is known for its autumn scenery. Imagine mountains ablaze with red leaves. The area is about 50 kilometers from the city. Its total area covers about 2000 acres.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties this area and nearby Hongluosanxian was a summer retreat. Huangshandian Village lies at the mountain’s foot. It is now a place for picking fruit and fishing. You can also sightsee there.
As you climb Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area you will see steep mountains. To the west lies the National Forest Park. Longgushan Peking Man Site is to the east. In the north the area connects with Yanshan Mountain. The south reveals a vast plain. You can almost touch the sky from the mountain top.
Autumn is the best time to visit Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area. Enjoy the red leaves under the sun. Leaves display colors from red to yellow to green and even black. The colors contrast beautifully with the blue sky and white clouds. Persimmon walnut wild jujube peach and pear trees dot the landscape. Hemp elm and wattles grow along the roads.
Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge is famed for its red leaves. When autumn arrives yellow smoke trees cover the mountains. Besides smoke trees the scenic area has maple trees. There are tens of thousands of trees. The red yellow green pink and black leaves dance in the sky. They create a colorful ocean. It is like a painter overturned a palette.
The diverse plant life contributes to the colors at Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area. On the mountain path you will see smoke trees. There are also elm wild jujube and mountain thorns. Higher up persimmon walnut peach and apricot trees grow. Wild pear and wild mountain chrysanthemum also grow there. Dense poplar trees cover the high slopes. It is a great place to relax.
The path from the bottom to the top of the mountain is made of stone steps. It is easy to climb. The path to the summit is 3000 meters. You can see the whole mountain from Eagle Beak Rock. There is another 3000-meter loop for going down the mountain. Every thousand meters there are pavilions and stone stools for resting. Locals built the 6000-meter path step by step. They used local stones. They carried sand cement and water up the mountain.
Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area has more than just natural beauty. It has deep historical and cultural roots. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties “Red Snail Three Risks” was one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Fangshan. It was known as a summer resort near Beijing. The “Jade Void Palace” also sits here. This was a Qing Dynasty retreat for officials.
If you visit Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area in April or May you’ll see smoke trees. The mountains are covered in purple-red flowers. Their fragrance fills the air.
You can also sample local cuisine at Zhoukoudian Slope Peak Ridge Scenic Area. Near the entrance is a farmhouse restaurant. It has a rustic decor. The restaurant serves freshly ground soy milk and tofu. The ingredients come from the Huangshandian Village agricultural cooperative. The braised pork made with local pork is popular. There are also vegetarian buns.
If you want to stay overnight consider the Huangshandian Village. There are many guesthouses there.