Panshan Scenic Area

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Spot Introduction

Located in Jizhou District, Tianjin, Panshan Scenic Area is a renowned scenic spot in North China, earning the title of “The First Mountain in East Beijing”. Covering a total area of 106 square kilometers with a main peak elevation of 864.4 meters, it is famous for natural landscapes such as the “Three Disks Twilight Rain” and “Five Peaks and Eight Rocks”. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Panshan 32 times, leaving a complimentary remark: “If I had known Panshan was this beautiful, why would I have bothered to ride north and south?”

Panshan was formed during the Yanshan movement period 180 million years ago and is a typical quartz sandstone landform. With a vegetation coverage rate of up to 95%, the scenic area boasts over 2,000 plant species, including rare and precious ones. The main attractions, including the pine trees on the upper disk, the rocks on the middle disk, and the water on the lower disk, constitute a unique “three disks” landscape system. The upper disk is known for its exotic pines, the middle disk for its unusual rocks, and the lower disk for its beautiful waters.

As a national scenic area, Panshan not only offers exquisite natural landscapes but also embodies rich historical culture. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been a Buddhist holy land, with ancient temples such as Yunsong Temple and Wansong Temple still standing. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Panshan became a royal summer resort, leaving numerous imperial inscriptions and garden architectures. There are over 300 cliff inscriptions in the scenic area, providing valuable materials for studying ancient calligraphy art.

In recent years, the scenic area has continuously improved its tourism facilities, including an 8-kilometer hiking trail and three sightseeing cableways. It welcomes over 2 million visitors annually, making it a significant eco-tourism destination in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The area also actively carries out ecological protection work, establishing a comprehensive forest fire prevention and wildlife protection system to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

Panshan offers different scenery in each season: spring brings blooming mountain flowers, summer provides a cool and pleasant escape, autumn paints the forests in vibrant colors, and winter transforms the landscape into a silver-coated winter wonderland.

Spot Introduction

This is not only a great place for hiking and fitness, but also an important window to understand the geological structure, vegetation distribution, and historical culture of North China.

Must-visit Attractions

  1. YunSong Temple

    • The largest temple complex in Panshan
    • Architectural style of the Qing Dynasty royal temples
    • Suggested visiting time: 60 minutes

  2. WanSong Temple

    • Ancient temple with a history of thousands of years
    • Well-preserved Buddhist architecture
    • Suggested visiting time: 45 minutes

  3. DuLe Garden

    • Garden landscape designed by Emperor Qianlong
    • Scenic garden view with mountains and rivers
    • Suggested visiting time: 50 minutes

  4. GuanYun Peak

    • The highest peak in Panshan
    • Offers a panoramic view of the entire area
    • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route

    • Visitor Center → YunSong Temple → WanSong Temple → DuLe Garden → GuanYun Peak
    • It is recommended to take the cable car up the mountain and walk down

  2. Visiting Schedule

    • It is recommended to depart in the morning to avoid the midday glare
    • Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking
    • Open all year round, with different scenery in each season

  3. Practical Tips

    • One-way cable car fare is 40 yuan, round-trip is 70 yuan
    • It is recommended to wear hiking boots and bring hiking poles
    • Prepare sufficient drinking water and dry food

Transportation Guide

  • Public Transportation: Take a dedicated tour bus from Tianjin Station
  • Self-drive: Take the Jing-Jin-Tang Expressway and exit at Jizhou
  • Chartered Vehicle: About 1.5 hours from downtown Tianjin
  • Dedicated Tourism Line: Direct buses are available from major bus stations in Tianjin
  1. Panshan Farmhouse
  2. Jizhou Fish Feast
  3. Panshan Specialty Snack Street
  4. Jizhou Farmhouse Cuisine

Special Reminders

  1. The mountain path is steep, so do what you can handle
  2. Bring sunscreen and warm clothing
  3. There is a medical clinic in the scenic area
  4. The road is slippery in rainy weather, so be careful
  5. Temple activities will be held during the Spring Festival
  6. Autumn is the best season to view the red leaves
  7. It is recommended to bring a camera as the scenery is beautiful.