A Must-See for Beijing Self-Drivers! The “5 Hidden Ways to Play” at Shenglianshan, Avoid the Crowds and Enjoy a Premium Experience

“Just 1 hour driving from Beijing! Free parking + free sightseeing shuttle + 28 switchback cliff ladder—this ‘Little Huashan of Western Beijing’ hides 2,000 years of Taoist culture, yet 99% of visitors only climb halfway up!”

Have you ever thought that near Beijing there’s an all-in-one scenic spot where you can see the Welcoming Pine, learn red history, and cool off with the whole family? No need to squeeze into the crowds at Badaling, no need to endure 40°C heat. At 800 meters elevation with an average summer temperature of 26°C, and staff as warm as friendly neighbors—the Beijing Shenglianshan Scenic Resort is the “hidden gem” for family trips in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region!

From driving routes to the 28 switchback ladder, from free sightseeing shuttles to the Welcoming Pine at the summit, this guide covers “how to play with ease,” “how to take great photos,” and “how to avoid pitfalls”! At the end, there are exclusive “lazy routes” and “cultural Easter eggs.” Read on and go!

1. Why is this called the “All-in-One Scenic Spot of Western Beijing”?

Shenglianshan is located in Liulinshui Village, Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, about 80 km from downtown, just a 1-hour drive. It’s not just an ordinary hiking spot but a treasure combining natural scenery, Taoist culture, red education, and summer leisure.

Key Highlights:

• Free perks: free parking, free sightseeing shuttle from the entrance to the mountain base

• Family-friendly: 28 switchback ladder can be climbed or taken by shuttle, suitable for elderly and children

• Cultural impact: a 2,000-year-old Taoist holy site, home to the “No.1 Taoist Temple in Western Beijing”

• Summer cool spot: average summer temperature 26°C, 8-10°C cooler than the city

By the numbers:

• Elevation ranges from 600 to 1,100 meters, forest coverage over 90%

• 28 switchbacks with 28 bends, vertical height 300 meters, equivalent to climbing 90 floors

• Weekend daily visitors about 800, never crowded

2. The 5 Most Loved Local Hidden Spots to Unlock Secret Ways to Play!

1. 28 Switchback Ladder: Western Beijing’s version of “Huashan Skywalk,” but safer!

Take the free sightseeing shuttle from the entrance to the mountain base, look up to see the 28 switchback ladder—28 Z-shaped bends spiraling upward, cliffs on both sides, Taoist paintings in the middle. Known as “Little Huashan of Western Beijing,” but friendlier than Huashan: wide steps, sturdy handrails, suitable for elderly and kids to climb slowly.

Hidden tips:

• Enter at 7 AM to climb the ladder when it’s less crowded and the light is perfect for photos of “one person owning the whole mountain”

• At each bend, there are stone carvings; find the characters “Lianfeng Shengjing” (Lotus Peak Holy Realm) at the 8th bend for a super ceremonial photo

• At the top, there’s a stall selling iced sour plum juice (8 RMB/cup), a perfect refreshment halfway up

2. Welcoming Pine: A more “Beijing-flavored” photo spot than Huangshan

At the top of the ladder stands a 300-year-old Welcoming Pine. Unlike the skinny pines of Huangshan, this one spreads its branches like an umbrella, backed by layers of mountain peaks—wear Hanfu or bright clothes for photos, and your friends will flood you with “Where is this fairy mountain?”

Photo guide:

• At 3 PM when the sunlight slants, the pine needles cast golden shadows on the ground—side profile shots are stunning

• Use a wide-angle lens from below to capture both the pine and the mountain peaks in one frame

• There’s a stall selling “Shenglianshan” folding fans (15 RMB each) nearby, great as props

3. Shenglian Pagoda: Climb to see the same sea of clouds as “Three Mountains and Five Peaks”

From the Welcoming Pine, continue 300 meters up to the 54-meter-high Shenglian Pagoda. Each floor inside has Taoist murals. At the top floor, open the window—the sea of clouds rolls beneath your feet, with the Taihang Mountain foothills in the distance. You instantly understand what “all other mountains are small” means.

Fun fact:

The wind chimes at the top are made of pure copper, producing clear sounds when the wind blows, known locally as the “Blessing Bells”

4. Eight Immortals Cave: Explore the “Home of Immortals” with kids

On the way down, don’t miss the Eight Immortals Cave—a natural karst cave turned Taoist cultural museum. It’s cool like spring inside (about 18°C), with colorful statues of the Eight Immortals like Lü Dongbin and Iron Crutch Li, plus interactive projection games that kids can play for half an hour without wanting to leave.

Family fun:

• Let kids find the hidden “Fu” character inside the cave (under Lü Dongbin’s feet); those who find it get a small gift

• Outside the cave, an old man sells “Eight Immortals sugar paintings” (10 RMB each), made fresh to eat

5. Red Education Base: Listen to “Old Revolutionaries” tell stories for free

Inside the park is an Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, displaying homemade guns and letters used by the Eighth Route Army, with a 90-year-old veteran party member volunteering as a guide. Kids learn history, adults hear real stories—100 times more vivid than books.

Avoid pitfalls:

• The memorial hall is closed from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, best to visit in the morning or after 3 PM

• Don’t record videos during the talk; the elder says “it’s disrespectful”

3. Family Trip “Lazy Route”: Save Effort + Worry + Money

1. Transportation money-saving tips

• Self-drive: Navigate to “Shenglianshan Scenic Resort,” parking is free (plenty of spaces)

• Public transit: Take Fangshan Line subway to Yancun East Station, transfer to F21 bus (get off at the last stop, walk 500 meters)

• Inside the park: Free sightseeing shuttle from entrance to mountain base; cable car from base to mid-mountain one way 50 RMB (recommended for elderly and kids)

2. Food must-tries and avoid list

Must-eat:

• “Shenglianshan Farmhouse” firewood pot stewed fish: 60 RMB per person (fish raised in mountain spring water, soup super fresh)

• Roasted sweet potatoes inside the park: 10 RMB each (sweeter than city ones, very warming in winter)

• Cold noodles near Eight Immortals Cave: 8 RMB per serving (sour and spicy, perfect after hiking)

Avoid:

• The souvenir shop at the entrance is overpriced, better to buy at the farmhouse on the way down

• Instant noodle stall at cable car exit charges 15 RMB per cup, bringing your own is cheaper

3. One-day highlight itinerary

8:30 Arrive at the park → Take sightseeing shuttle to mountain base → Climb 28 switchback ladder (1 hour) → Photo at Welcoming Pine (30 minutes) → Climb Shenglian Pagoda (40 minutes) → Explore Eight Immortals Cave (30 minutes) → Listen to stories at Red Memorial Hall (30 minutes) → 12:30 Lunch at farmhouse → 14:00 Cable car down (optional) → 15:00 Return trip

4. Local-only “Cool Facts”

• Best photo times: 7 AM (for misty 28 switchback ladder shots), 5 PM (for pagoda sunset shots)

• Free perks: Every Saturday at 10 AM, there’s a “Taoist Culture Performance” (reservation required)

• Souvenir recommendation: Buy a box of “Shenglianshan wild jujubes” (25 RMB/box), more practical than souvenirs

5. Why is this the “Ultimate Answer for Family Trips”?

When grandpa wipes tears at the red memorial, when kids play projection games in Eight Immortals Cave, when you take your “life photo” under the Welcoming Pine—there’s no exhaustion from “who compromises for whom,” only the joy of “discovering beauty together.”