Beiling Mountain
Beiling Mountain is a hugely popular hiking destination near Beijing, nicknamed ‘western Beijing’s little Altay’. Alpine meadows and herds of cattle and sheep make it accessible even to beginners. Here is a comprehensive guide you can follow directly.
Recommended routes
Beginner’s easy route, Jiulongwa out and back: about 8 kilometres, 400 metres of ascent and 3-4 hours. Navigate to Jiulongwa, then follow gentle meadow slopes through Jiucaipo to Beiling’s main peak and return the same way. There are no steep slopes, making it suitable for families, couples and first-time hikers.
Classic loop from Ta’ersi Village: about 10 kilometres, 700 metres of ascent and 5-6 hours. Leave Ta’ersi, pass through birch woodland, the unnamed second peak and the main summit, then complete the loop. Forest and meadows offer varied scenery and open views, suitable for beginners with reasonable fitness.
Advanced traverse, Baiyu–Huangcaoliang–Beiling: about 18 kilometres, 1300 metres of ascent and 7-8 hours. It passes ancient Great Wall remains, solid watchtowers, birch woods and broad meadows, and suits experienced hikers.
Transport and admission
Driving: from central Beijing, navigate to ‘Ta’ersi Village Committee’ or ‘Jiulongwa’, approximately 2.5-3 hours. Parking at the entrance to Ta’ersi is free; Jiulongwa’s car park has limited spaces, so leave early.
Public transport: no direct bus serves the trailheads. From Jin’anqiao metro station, transfer to the Zhaitang service, then take a taxi to the start, with a shared ride costing around RMB 30 per person. Alternatively, join an outdoor group’s coach.
Admission: a sanitation management fee of RMB 15 per person is currently charged, with children free, although some routes can be entered without charge.
Equipment suggestions
Clothing: a quick-drying T-shirt plus a windproof jacket or shell, abrasion-resistant hiking trousers and long sleeves even in summer. Summit winds are strong and temperatures can be 10℃+ below the city.
Footwear: slip-resistant mountain or hiking boots. Some stretches are stony and descending meadow slopes can be slippery.
Supplies: no commercial resupply along the route. Bring 1.5-2L of water per person and lightweight trail food such as biscuits, beef jerky and chocolate. Villagers occasionally sell water midway, but prices are higher.
Other items: trekking poles to protect the knees, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, offline maps in Liangbulu or Liuzhijiao, a power bank and rubbish bags.
Things to watch for
Reception: most stretches have no mobile signal. Download an offline track beforehand and do not go alone.
Weather: conditions change quickly. Check the forecast and do not enter in rain or thick fog; strong winds develop easily on the summit.
Environment: leave no trace, carry all rubbish out, avoid trampling meadows or picking plants, and respect nature.
Best season: May–August brings green meadows and wildflowers; September–October offers beautiful golden birch woodland. Summer mornings and evenings can be much colder, so bring a jacket.
Other points: there are no toilets on the mountain, so use one before going up. Tour groups leaving around 17:00 can cause traffic, so descend early. Do not approach or feed yaks.
Beiling is not particularly difficult overall, and its restorative scenery makes it ideal for a short weekend hike. The main issue is caring for the environment: please carry away your rubbish and protect this beautiful landscape near Beijing. (Author: 九华月)