Shenglian Mountain 

Located in Fangshan District, Beijing, Shenglian Mountain is a scenic spot with beautiful scenery and a long history and culture.  

In the middle of the mountain is the world's largest seated statue of Lao Tzu, with a total height of 57 meters and a pedestal height of 18 meters, on which the entire Tao Te Ching is engraved. In addition to the Lao Tzu icon, there are also suspension bridges "Changsheng Bridge", as well as "Heaven and Earth Root" and "Xuannu Cave". 

After passing the statue of Lao Tzu, you will arrive at the must-see place for mountaineering enthusiasts - Xiaoyao Valley. Xiaoyao Valley is a pristine hiking trail with a total length of 2,060 meters and a climbing height of about 650 meters, passing through Luohanpo (18 Arhats), the bronze statue of Maha Zushi Master, Round Lake, Thousand Buddha Hall, Baofeng Lake, Liangma Terrace, Heavenly Ladder (Yanwangbi, Shanshen Temple), Shengmi Shitang, Xuankong Temple, Tiansheng Bridge, Lotus Peak, Shengnu (Bodhisattva in the flesh) to Shengquan Temple.

At the top of the mountain, there are six scenic spots worth appreciating "one peak, two courtyards and three strange pines". "One peak" refers to the Lianzi Peak, located in the center of the scenic area. Standing at the top of the peak and looking around, you can see the overlapping mountain ranges, like blooming lotus petals, hence the name lotus peak. "Two courtyards" refers to the Shengquan Temple in the South Courtyard for Buddhist culture, and Pantao Palace in the North Courtyard for Taoist culture. "Three Strange Pines" refer to the sacred lotus Ping'an Pine, the thousand-year-old pine and Leipi pine in the Shengquan Temple, which have been towering into the clouds for thousands of years and are rare in the world. 

Address: Liulinshui Village, Shijiaying, Fangshan District, Beijing

Translator: BAO Minmin

Reviewer: WANG Yiwen