Old Beijingers all know that Beijing has "Three Mountains & Five Summits." The alleged "Five Summits" refer to the five Niangniang Temples in Beijing.
Ease Summit Niangniang Temple is known as Xinggong Temple; the west Guangren Court; the south is located at Dahongmeng, Fengtai District; the north in the Olympic Park; and the middle at Caoqiao, Fengtai District.
The so-called "Three Mountains" refer to Yaji Mountain in Pinggu District, Tiantai Mountain in Shijingshan District, and Miaofeng Mountain in Mengtougou District. The three mountains are lined from east to west, cultivating the famous Path of Ancient Capital.
Today, I will take you to a famous and sacred place for many worshippers—Yaji Mountain.
Yaji Mountain is named after two towering peaks that resemble old hair buns on girls' heads. It was highly regarded by the royal family as a Taoist fairy palace. Emperor Kangxi once referred to it as the "Blessed Land Near Capital." Three times, Emperor Qianlong visited Yaji Mountain and sang poems. Many emperors erected steles here to commemorate their reigns. The Yaji Mountain Temple Fair is one of North China's four most famous temple fairs.
In the Imperial Steles Journal of Yaji Mountain, Emperor Kangxi wrote, "Each summer, worshippers across the country gather here to pray. They are in a number that is countless."
This year, the Yaji Mountain Temple Fair was chosen as one of the eleventh category of folklore (16 items altogether) in the national intangible cultural heritage representative items list's extended item list. The forty-eight steps going to the top of the mountain are a significant obstacle for tourists. Yaji Mountain, which faces the southeast from the northwest, is densely forested with pines and cypresses. The twin summits of Yaji Mountain tower in late summer and early fall, and the stone forests are gorgeous and luscious. The lush and green Pinus tabulaeformis forest grows rapidly, obscuring the sky and the sun, and the wild flowers beneath the forest bloom in a rainbow of hues.
The Yuhuang Pavilion, Bixiayuanjun Relic Site and so on are all famous Taoist temples in Beijing. Bixiayuanjun Relic Site was first built in Tang Dynasty and has been continuously renovated to gradually form a complete building complex.
On March 30, 2019, a wildfire broke out near Miyun, however owing to strong winds, the fire had a significant impact on Yaji Mountain.
A firefighting team of about 3,000 people fought for 22 hours in Yaji Mountain, eventually extinguishing the mountain fire with no injuries, illnesses, or casualties, and no historical buildings were harmed. When the Yaji Mountain Scenic Place reopened to the public, it announced: "As a homage to our firefighters, the scenic spot will henceforth provide permanent ticket-free service for active and retired firefighters and soldiers visiting Yaji Mountain Scenic Spot." Netizens reacted positively to the news as soon as it was released.
Such a considerable spot deserves your visit at least for once.
Reminder:
Address: Liujiadian Town, Pinggu District, Beijing
Tickets: 50 yuan, free of charge for active and retired firefighters
Opening hours: 08:00-16:30 throughout the year
Transportation: Take Jiao 82 Road and get off at Yajishan Station
Translated by LUO Xiongwei
Edited by LIU Yu
