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5A LevelMountains and Canyons

Panshan Scenic Area

Panshan Scenic Area

Tianjin

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Category:Natural Scenery

Panshan Scenic Area, known as the 'Number One Mountain East of Beijing', combines natural wonders with cultural relics. Famous for its unique pines, strange rocks, clear springs, and ancient temples, it was visited 32 times by Emperor Qianlong, who exclaimed, 'Had I known Panshan, I would not have gone to Jiangnan.'

INTRODUCTION

About This Attraction

Panshan: The Number One Mountain East of Beijing

Panshan Scenic Area, located about 12 kilometers northwest of Jizhou District, Tianjin, stands on the southern edge of the Yanshan Mountains. It is a national scenic area and a 5A tourist attraction, renowned as the 'Number One Mountain East of Beijing'. With its majestic and steep terrain, layered peaks, and famous 'Four Wonders' of unique pines, strange rocks, clear springs, and ancient temples, it is a representative mountain scenic area in North China, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage. Covering about 106 square kilometers, its main peak, Guayue Peak, rises to 864.4 meters. The mountain is primarily composed of granite, shaped over billions of years into a myriad of fantastic peaks and rocks.

Overview

Location: Guanzhuang Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin; 12 km from Jizhou city center, about 80 km from Beijing, and about 110 km from downtown Tianjin.
Total Area: 106 square kilometers.
Main Peak Elevation: Guayue Peak, 864.4 meters.
Core Attractions: Unique pines, strange rocks, clear springs, and ancient temples (the 'Four Wonders').

PRACTICAL INFO

Travel Essentials

Opening Hours

Peak season (Apr 1 - Oct 31): 8:00-17:00; Off season (Nov 1 - Mar 31): 8:30-16:30 (subject to official announcements)

Ticket Price

Peak season: 78 yuan/person; Off season: 60 yuan/person; half price for students, seniors, etc. (subject to official announcements)

How to Get There

Panshan Scenic Area is located in Guanzhuang Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin, with convenient transportation. 1. Self-driving: From Beijing, take the Jingping Expressway to the Jizhou exit, or take the Jinji Expressway; the journey takes about 1.5 hours. From downtown Tianjin, take the Jinji Expressway to the Jizhou exit, also about 1.5 hours. The scenic area has a large parking lot, with a parking fee of about 10 yuan per visit. 2. Public Transport: - Train: Take a train from Tianjin Station or Beijing Station to Jizhou Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to the scenic area, about 20 minutes. - Long-distance bus: Tongsha Passenger Station in Tianjin has direct buses to Jizhou every 30 minutes, fare about 35 yuan; Beijing Sihui Passenger Station also has buses to Jizhou, fare about 50 yuan. - Bus: From Jizhou city, take tourist bus lines 11 or 12 directly to the scenic area, fare 5 yuan. 3. Internal Transport: The scenic area has cable cars and sightseeing buses. The cable cars are divided into Rusheng Cable Car (from Lower Pan to Middle Pan) and Yunsong Cable Car (from Middle Pan to Guayue Peak), with a one-way fare of about 60 yuan per person. Sightseeing buses run between the mountain gate and Tiancheng Temple, fare 20 yuan per person. For those with good physical strength, hiking is recommended to enjoy the scenery along the way.

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Architectural Layout and Scenic Structure

Panshan Scenic Area is characterized by a 'Three Pans' layout: Upper Pan, Middle Pan, and Lower Pan, each featuring pines, rocks, and water respectively. The buildings are arranged along the mountain contours, mainly divided into three areas: Rusheng Area, Tiancheng Temple-Wansong Temple Area, and Yunzhao Temple-Guayue Peak Area. The core architectural complex is distributed along the main climbing axis, stretching about 8 kilometers with an elevation difference of over 600 meters.

Lower Pan (Rusheng Area)

Lower Pan is famous for water and is the first area upon entering. At the entrance stands the 'Rusheng' archway, a four-pillar, three-bay, three-story stone archway about 8 meters high and 12 meters wide, inscribed with 'Rusheng' by a Qing Dynasty calligrapher. Walking upstream, one sees the 'Three Pans Evening Rain' scene, a landmark of Panshan. Here is the 'Shuxia' waterfall, with a drop of about 15 meters, powerful in summer and forming ice falls in winter. Main buildings in Lower Pan include:

Tiancheng Temple: First built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, it is the most complete ancient building complex in Panshan. The temple faces south, covering about 5,000 square meters. Main structures include the Mountain Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, and side halls. The Mahavira Hall is five bays wide (about 18 meters) and three bays deep (about 12 meters), with a single-eave hip roof covered with yellow glazed tiles, enshrining a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Inside the temple is a thousand-year-old cypress, about 1,200 years old, with twisted branches, hailed as the 'First Cypress of Panshan'.
Ancient Buddha Relic Pagoda: Located west of Tiancheng Temple, it is an octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave brick pagoda, 22.63 meters high. The base is a sumeru throne, and each story has niches with Buddha statues. Originally built in the Liao Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, it is one of the oldest buildings in Panshan and an important example of Liao Dynasty Buddhist architecture.

Middle Pan (Tiancheng Temple-Wansong Temple Area)

Middle Pan is famous for rocks, with strange rocks standing in abundance. This area is between 300 and 600 meters above sea level, with steep mountain paths. Along the way, one can see famous rocks such as 'General Rock', 'Hanging Rock', and 'He Duan Rock'. Main buildings include:

Wansong Temple: Originally named 'Li Jing Nunnery' because the Tang Dynasty general Li Jing once lived here, it was renamed Wansong Temple in the Qing Dynasty. The temple is built against the mountain, covering about 3,000 square meters. Main structures include the Mountain Gate, Bell and Drum Towers, Mahavira Hall, and Sutra Depository. The Mahavira Hall is three bays wide (about 12 meters) and three bays deep (about 10 meters), with a flush gable roof with grey tiles. The temple is surrounded by ancient pines, among which the 'Phoenix Wing Pine', about 800 years old, has branches like a phoenix spreading its wings, a landmark of Middle Pan.
South Heaven Gate: Located at the junction of Middle Pan and Upper Pan, it is a stone-built gate-tower structure about 10 meters high and 8 meters wide. The gate is inscribed with 'South Heaven Gate' in Emperor Qianlong's handwriting. It is the only passage to climb Guayue Peak, offering a broad view of the Middle and Lower Pan areas.

Upper Pan (Yunzhao Temple-Guayue Peak Area)

Upper Pan is famous for pines, with ancient pines and rolling clouds above 600 meters. This is the essence of Panshan. Main buildings include:

Yunzhao Temple: Located on the southern slope of Guayue Peak, it was first built in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. Named for its location amidst clouds and mist, it covers about 2,000 square meters. Main structures include the Mountain Gate, Mahavira Hall, and meditation rooms. The Mahavira Hall is three bays wide (about 10 meters) and three bays deep (about 8 meters), with a hip-gable roof with grey tiles. The temple enshrines Vairocana Buddha, making it the highest-ranking Buddhist temple in Panshan.
Guayue Peak: The main peak of Panshan, at 864.4 meters. The summit is flat, covering about 200 square meters, and houses the 'Dingguang Buddha Relic Pagoda'. This octagonal three-story dense-eave stone pagoda is about 8 meters high, with Buddha statues and scriptures carved on the body. From the top, one can watch the sunrise in the east, see Beijing to the west, overlook the plains to the south, and view the Great Wall to the north, making it the best viewpoint in Panshan.
Jingji Mountain Villa Site: Located on the northern slope of Guayue Peak, it was an imperial temporary palace built by Emperor Qianlong, first constructed in the ninth year of Qianlong (1744), covering about 40,000 square meters. The villa originally had over a hundred halls, pavilions, and towers, including scenes like 'Taigu Yunlan' and 'Cengyan Feicui'. Only foundations and some stone components remain, making it an important site for studying Qing Dynasty imperial gardens.

Architectural and Natural Features

Architectural Features

The ancient building complex of Panshan exemplifies the perfect combination of northern Chinese mountain temples and imperial gardens, with the following notable characteristics:

Built along the mountain, staggered layout: All buildings are constructed according to the mountain's contours, creating a layered and rhythmic composition. For example, Tiancheng Temple, Wansong Temple, and Yunzhao Temple utilize cliffs and terraces, connected by steps and corridors, saving space while enhancing the sense of hierarchy and rhythm.
Integration of Buddhist and imperial elements: Panshan's buildings combine the solemnity of Buddhist temples with the elegance of imperial gardens. For instance, the Mahavira Hall of Tiancheng Temple uses yellow glazed tiles, a hallmark of imperially decreed temples; the Jingji Mountain Villa was built entirely according to imperial garden standards, reflecting the idea of 'harmony between heaven and man'.
Harmony with the natural landscape: The buildings are moderate in scale, with colors mainly grey and yellow, blending harmoniously with rocks, pines, and clouds. For example, the brick-and-stone tones of the Ancient Buddha Relic Pagoda merge with the mountain, and the grey-tiled roof of Yunzhao Temple is hidden among the pines, embodying the artistic conception of 'though man-made, it seems heaven-made'.
Rich stone carvings and steles: Panshan preserves hundreds of cliff inscriptions and steles from various dynasties, with the most from Emperor Qianlong, such as 'Rusheng', 'South Heaven Gate', and 'Yunzhao Temple', as well as the 'Panshan Map' stele, which are important materials for studying Qing Dynasty calligraphy and history.

Natural Features

Panshan's natural landscape centers on 'unique pines, strange rocks, and clear springs', forming a distinctive mountain scenery:

Unique Pines: Panshan has numerous ancient pines, with thousands over a hundred years old. They grow on cliffs and in various shapes, such as 'Welcome Pine', 'Phoenix Wing Pine', and 'Crouching Dragon Pine'. The 'Welcome Pine' at the Lower Pan entrance is about 15 meters tall, with branches extending to one side like a welcoming gesture, a landmark of Panshan. The pines, rocks, and clouds create a magnificent scene of 'pine waves and sea of clouds'.
Strange Rocks: The granite of Panshan, weathered and eroded over billions of years, has formed many bizarre rock formations. Famous ones include 'General Rock' (about 20 meters high, resembling a standing general), 'Hanging Rock' (suspended on a cliff, supported by a single point), and 'He Duan Rock' (legend says it was split by Tang Dynasty general Li Jing). These rocks are not only lifelike but also rich in folklore, adding cultural depth.
Clear Springs: Panshan has abundant springs, including the 'Three Pans Evening Rain' waterfall, Shuxia Waterfall, and Dragon Pool. The springs originate from fissures in the mountain, with clear and sweet water that never dries up. The 'Three Pans Evening Rain' is the most famous water feature; after rain, clouds and mist envelop the mountain, and waterfalls cascade, creating the 'evening rain' spectacle. The springs converge into streams that flow down the valleys, forming pools such as 'Dragon Pool' and 'Washing Heart Pool', ideal for rest and sightseeing.

Cultural Significance

Panshan is not only a natural scenic area but also a mountain bearing profound historical and cultural significance. Its cultural importance is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Buddhist Sacred Site: Since the Tang Dynasty, Panshan has been an important Buddhist center in the north, with 72 temples and thousands of monks at its peak. Tiancheng Temple, Wansong Temple, and Yunzhao Temple are all thousand-year-old temples, and historically, many eminent monks emerged, such as Master Baoji of the Tang Dynasty and Master Zibai of the Ming Dynasty. Panshan Buddhism belongs to the Linji sect of Zen, and its tradition of 'farming and meditation in parallel' had a significant impact on the development of Buddhism in North China.
Imperial Garden: In the Qing Dynasty, Panshan was incorporated into the imperial garden system, becoming an important royal retreat in the capital region. Emperor Qianlong visited 32 times and built the Jingji Mountain Villa, making Panshan comparable to the Chengde Mountain Resort and the Summer Palace in Beijing. Qianlong left over 1,700 poems about Panshan, which are important materials for studying Qing Dynasty royal culture and aesthetics.
Source of Inspiration for Literati: Throughout history, literati such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Yuan Haowen, Zhao Mengfu, and Xu Xiake visited Panshan, leaving numerous poems and inscriptions. The Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake recorded Panshan's landforms and scenery in detail in his 'Travels of Xu Xiake', providing valuable data for later research. Panshan's natural and cultural landscapes also became important subjects for Chinese landscape painting, such as the Qing Dynasty painter Shi Tao's 'Panshan Map', which depicts the mountain's magnificent scenery.
Military Fortress: Panshan is located at the southern foot of the Yanshan Mountains, guarding the gateway to the capital, and has been a strategic military site throughout history. In the Tang Dynasty, Li Jing stationed troops here; in the Ming Dynasty, Qi Jiguang built the Great Wall here; during the War of Resistance Against Japan, Panshan was an important part of the Jidong anti-Japanese base, and anti-Japanese sites remain today. Panshan's military value makes it an important location for studying Chinese military history.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours: Peak season (April 1 - October 31) 8:00-17:00; Off-peak season (November 1 - March 31) 8:30-16:30.
Ticket Prices: Peak season adult ticket 78 yuan/person; off-peak season adult ticket 58 yuan/person (subject to official announcements).
Transportation:
- Self-driving: From Beijing, take the Jingping Expressway to the Jizhou exit, then drive about 15 km towards Panshan; from Tianjin, take the Jinji Expressway to the Jizhou exit, then drive about 20 km towards Panshan.
- Public Transport: From Tianjin Station, take the Jinji Railway to Jizhou Station, then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus to Panshan; from Beijing Sihui Long-distance Bus Station, take a long-distance bus to Jizhou and get off at the Panshan intersection.
Recommended Routes:
- Classic one-day route: Rusheng Archway → Tiancheng Temple (Ancient Buddha Relic Pagoda) → Wansong Temple (South Heaven Gate) → Yunzhao Temple → Guayue Peak (Dingguang Buddha Relic Pagoda). The whole walk takes about 4-5 hours, or you can take the cable car up the mountain (one-way fare 60 yuan/person).
- Relaxed half-day route: Rusheng Archway → Tiancheng Temple → Three Pans Evening Rain → Wansong Temple (take cable car down). Takes about 2-3 hours.
Best Seasons: Spring (April-May) for mountain flowers, autumn (September-November) for red leaves, summer (June-August) for coolness and waterfalls, winter (December-February) for snow and ice.
Notes: The mountain area has large temperature differences, so bring a jacket; some sections are steep, so wear sports shoes; protect the environment and do not litter; do not climb unopened areas.

Panshan Scenic Area, with its majestic natural scenery, profound cultural heritage, and exquisite ancient architecture, is a shining pearl in the eastern Beijing region. Whether climbing to the top of Guayue Peak to overlook the mountains or strolling through ancient temples listening to the chanting, one can feel the unique charm of the 'Number One Mountain East of Beijing'. As Emperor Qianlong said, 'Had I known Panshan, I would not have gone to Jiangnan.' The beauty of Panshan is worth experiencing for everyone who loves nature and history.