Live Your Best Lives
Enjoy hiking in the picturesque mountains, explore the tranquil natural scenery, and visit the ancient temples scattered across the area. For adventure seekers, rock climbing and nature photography are popular activities.
The Yesanpo Scenic Area in Baoding, Hebei Province is located in Laishui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, at the intersection of the Taihang Mountains and the Yanshan Mountains. It is 100 kilometers away from the Chinese capital Beijing and 110 kilometers bordering Beijing. It has a total area of 498.5 square kilometers.
The Yesanpo Scenic Area in Baoding, Hebei Province, is a national key scenic spot, a national AAAAA-level tourist area, a national forest park, and a national geological park. It includes the Bailixia Natural Scenic Area, the Juma River Scenic Area, the Baicaopan Scenic Area, the Yugu Cave Scenic Area, the Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area, the Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area, the Lost Paradise Lavender Scenic Area, and the Nationalities Park.
The Yesanpo Scenic Area in Baoding, Hebei, is located in a continental monsoon climate with distinct four seasons. Located within the Taihang Mountains, adjacent to the Shanxi Plateau, temperatures differ significantly from those in the plains beyond. Summers are typically cooler, with an average annual temperature of 10.7°C, 1.4°C lower than the plains. Daily temperatures are 1-3°C lower than the plains. Annual sunshine hours are 2,095, and annual precipitation is 628.8 mm.
Bailixia Scenic Area
The Baili Gorge Scenic Area in Yesanpo, Baoding, Hebei Province, stretches 210 kilometers and consists of Baili Gorge and Jiangkou Lake, covering a total area of 105 square kilometers, of which the Baili Gorge scenic area encompasses 65 square kilometers. At the entrance, a "Fairy Official Leading the Way" attraction guides visitors to Scorpion Valley, named for the scorpion grass that grows throughout the gorge. A central gorge, "Begonia Valley," is named for the crabapple blossoms that cover it and stretches 70 kilometers. The third gorge, "Ten Hanging Gorge," is named for the dozens of curved cliffs within it and stretches 90 kilometers. It is known as the "No. 1 Gorge in the World."
Juma River Scenic Area
The Juma River, nestled among verdant mountains and crisscrossed with tourist trails, flows through the Yesanpo Scenic Area for over 140 kilometers before emptying into the Haihe River. In July and August, the average water temperature is between 20°C and 22°C, offering excellent, crystal-clear water that never dries up year-round and remains ice-free in winter. The area boasts the "Eight Scenic Spots of Xiazhuang," including sand pythons blocking the road, stone monkeys playing in the water, a stone gate suddenly opening, an arched skybridge, a cliffside plank road, and children making noises at school.
Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area
The Longmen Tianguan Scenic Area is a tourist destination that integrates nature, history, and folk culture. Within Shangtiangou, there are nine waterfalls, eighteen pools, and 10,000 mu of secondary forest. Among them are the "Wanren Tianguan" and "Thousand Peaks Arching." In addition, there are over 30 cliff carvings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it known as the largest "historical and cultural corridor" in North China. The scenic area's existing sites, including the "Dalongmen Castle," the "Cai Shu'an Great Wall," and the "Cliff Carvings," are all key cultural relics under protection in Hebei Province. Dalongmen Castle was once a crucial pass on the inner border of the Ming Great Wall, known as the "throat of the territory." The three peaks standing tall here were once the passage from Kyoto to the outer frontier and a strategic location.
Yugu Cave Scenic Area
Yugu Cave is located in the middle of Yesanpo Scenic Area, with a total length of about 1.8 kilometers and a total of 5 layers;
Yugu Cave is a scenic area dominated by its unique springs and caves. It boasts numerous famous springs, including four major spring clusters: Yugu Spring, Shenyu Spring, Shendong Spring, and Shentian Spring. Yugu Spring is particularly renowned and recognized as one of China's Eight Strange Springs. Yugu Cave boasts unique geology, including lifelike stone flowers, cloud basins, goose pipes, and stalactites.
Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area
Located in the northwest of the Yesanpo Scenic Area, Jinhua Mountain Scenic Area is one of the six major scenic areas in Yesanpo. It features famous mountains, waterfalls, forest scenery, and scenic spots. Covering approximately 67 square kilometers, its main peak, Jinhua Mountain, stands at an elevation of 1,711 meters. The scenic area boasts a sea of forests, the Lala Lake Waterfall, millennia-old ginkgo trees, and the ancient Qingdan Temple.
Lost Paradise Lavender Manor
The Lost Paradise Lavender Theme Manor in Yesanpo covers an area of 0.67 square kilometers. The manor is located on the banks of the Juma River in Yesanpo. More than 100 kinds of plants, including lavender, verbena, rosemary, thyme, clover, etc., are planted in the manor. The manor is based on the theme of "pastoral landscape and romantic love" and is equipped with a love gate, French-style windmill, etc.
Yesanpo National Park
Established in 1991, the Yesanpo National Park is the earliest, largest, most comprehensive, and most fully-equipped leisure and tourist resort within the Yesanpo Scenic Area. Covering 0.1 square kilometers, with a building area of over 0.024 square kilometers, the park boasts stunning scenery, surrounded by mountains on four sides and water on three sides. Inside, visitors can admire wooden houses, costumes, and photographs of major festivals and celebrations, representing ethnic minorities such as the Miao, Dong, Mosuo, Lisu, and Dulong.
Sanhuang Mountain Scenic Area:
Located at the entrance to the 100-mile Juma River Gallery in western Beijing, the uniquely shaped mountains combine wonder, beauty, and danger. The Three Emperors Temple, dedicated to the ancestors of mankind, fulfills your wish to worship your ancestors. The surrounding Juma River blends with the persimmon forests that cover the mountains, forming a beautiful landscape painting.
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Wild Hillside in Baoding, Hebei is a historically rich area, known for its ancient temples and scenic mountains. It is an important location for both local culture and nature conservation.
Wild Hillside is located in the western part of Baoding, Hebei Province. You can get there by taking a bus or taxi from Baoding city center. There are no direct metro lines, so taxis or private vehicles are recommended.
The area is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during spring and autumn for the mild weather and beautiful landscapes. Typically, it is best to visit during the daytime, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The entrance fee for Wild Hillside is approximately 50-100 RMB depending on the area visited. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or through local travel websites in advance.
It is not necessary to book tickets in advance, but for convenience and to avoid long lines, it is recommended to book tickets 1-2 days in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
You will need around 4-5 hours to fully explore Wild Hillside, including hiking, visiting the temples, and taking in the natural beauty of the area.
Guided tours are available, and some English-speaking guides may be provided upon request, especially for group tours. Audio guides are also available in Chinese.
Top photography spots include the main summit of the Wild Hillside, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Zhiyuan Temple also offers a great photo opportunity against a backdrop of natural beauty.
Start with a short hike to the Zhiyuan Temple, then proceed to the summit for panoramic views. Afterward, take a leisurely walk through the nature trails, stopping for photos and relaxation. Finish your visit with a tour of the surrounding temples.
Night visits and special light shows are not commonly available, but the natural beauty of the area is best experienced during daylight hours. There are occasional cultural events in the area, but they are seasonal.
The area can get crowded during weekends and public holidays. The best times to visit to avoid crowds are on weekdays during the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn), particularly in the mornings.
Basic facilities such as toilets and water stations are available. There are a few small local food stalls, but it's recommended to bring your own water and snacks. Rest areas are located at strategic points along the hiking trails.
The terrain is rugged and not very accessible for elderly, children, or disabled visitors. Some parts of the area are suitable for light walks, but the more adventurous hiking trails may be difficult for those with mobility issues.
Cash is accepted, but mobile payments (like WeChat Pay and Alipay) are more commonly used. Credit cards are not widely accepted in most local areas, so it's advisable to use mobile payments or carry cash.
There are a few small local restaurants and food stalls nearby, serving traditional Chinese food. For more options, you can head to Baoding city center where a wide variety of restaurants are available.
Vegetarian food options are available at some local restaurants. Halal food is not commonly found, but vegetarian-friendly restaurants are more common in larger cities like Baoding.
There are a few small guesthouses and boutique hotels near the Wild Hillside area, but for more options, it is best to stay in Baoding city, where there are numerous hotels, ranging from budget to luxury.
Nearby attractions include the Baoding Ancient Lotus Flower Pond, the Baoding Museum, and the famous Daci Temple. You can easily combine these with a day trip to Wild Hillside.
There are a few souvenir shops near the entrance selling local crafts, including handmade items, calligraphy, and small statues. You can also buy traditional herbal products.
The best way to continue your trip is to take a taxi or local bus back to Baoding city center, from where you can catch trains or buses to nearby cities like Beijing or Shijiazhuang.
