A thousand-year-old ancient temple hidden in "Cán Gū Tuó" that even Beijingers don’t know about?

Tired of Xiangshan, Badachu, and Yanqi Lake in Beijing?
Then you definitely have to check out this divine spot Cán Gū Tuó, which even navigation almost “couldn’t find”!
Not to brag, but this place is basically a treasure tailor-made for “reverse travelers”: no crowds, no overpriced snacks, a trendy photo wall, only primitive mountain trails, a thousand-year-old ancient temple, mountains covered in red leaves, and a wild rabbit that might suddenly dash out of the woods.
📍 Where is it?
Deep in Mentougou, western Beijing, on the southern slope of Baihua Mountain, near a little-known hiking trail by Kuojishan.
If you search “Cán Gū Tuó” on the map, it will most likely say “not recorded.”
Don’t panic, this is the real ticket to a truly off-the-beaten-path secret spot!
Who is Cán Gū Tuó? Sounds like a character from a martial arts novel?
The legend is true!
This place worships “Silkworm Auntie” — the guardian deity of ancient sericulture workers.
She is said to be a woman from the Tang Dynasty skilled in sericulture who lived here in seclusion.
Later generations built a temple to commemorate her, with incense burning intermittently for a thousand years.
Today, the mountaintop still has the ruins of the Cán Gū Temple, built of stone with weathered beams,
guarded by two ancient pines at the entrance.
Go in and pay respects—not for promotion or wealth, but to wish for “smooth silk roads” (just kidding, actually for peace and safety).
Even more amazing, every year on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, a few local elders hike up to worship.
The ceremony is simple but solemn: burning incense and offering some fruit,
as if time here has never been accelerated by the city.
Why go now? Because Cán Gū Tuó is insanely beautiful in autumn!
From late October to early November is the best time!
The yellow sumac, maple, and oak trees on both sides of the ridge turn layers of color,
sunlight filters through the forest like a soft light filter,
and any photo you take with your phone is wallpaper-worthy.
📌 Recommended route (suitable for beginners + intermediate hikers):
> Start: Fangliang Village parking lot
> About 6.5 km loop, elevation gain about 600 meters, takes 2.5–3 hours
> Trail condition: first half dirt road + stone steps, second half requires using hands and feet to climb a small rock wall (with rope assistance)
【Classic route】
Fangliang Village → Baihua Valley stream area → Eagle’s Beak viewpoint (overlooking the mountains) → Cán Gū Tuó main peak → Cán Gū Temple ruins → return the same way / descend via a wild trail crossing to the neighboring mountain pass
🎯 Highlights:
- Babbling streams, you can still hear the “tinkling spring water” in autumn, super healing
- Take photos on the cliff edge at “Eagle’s Beak,” with a valley thousands of feet below—daredevils must check in
- When you reach the summit, you’ll understand what “the mountain is high but man is the peak” means
Hiking tips | Avoid mistakes here!
✅ Wear non-slip hiking shoes! After rain, the trail is muddy and moss hides under fallen leaves; a fall could make you go viral (negatively)
✅ Bring enough water and energy bars; no supplies on the mountain, don’t expect a “wild milk tea stand”
✅ Go with companions; signal is spotty, solo hikers beware
✅ Take your trash with you; such a clean place, don’t let us ruin it
✅ Travel light but bring a windbreaker—the summit is windy and can approach 0°C by mid-October
📸 Photo tips:
- Start early to catch the sunrise and sea of clouds at the summit, your social feed will be legendary
- Wear bright colors! Red, yellow, orange stand out beautifully in the autumn forest
- Don’t forget to take a photo of your back looking back at the temple gate, full of story vibes
📍 Address: Navigate to “Fangliang Village, Mentougou District, Beijing,” then ask locals “How to get to Cán Gū Tuó” (key step!)
⚠️ Note: No tickets, no development, no toilets, purely wild scenic area—please respect nature and stay safe.