With a constant temperature of 13oC (55.4oF), the Shihua Cave is a rare seven-layer one, whose lowest layer is an underground river. At present, only the first four layers from the top are open to public. In total, the over 2,500 meters (2,734 yards) long route is made up of sixteen halls. Among them, a huge stalactite in the No.1 Hall, moonmilks in the first and second layers, two stone shields, a stone curtain and a stone flag are the most alluring ones.

In the No.1 Hall, the huge stalactite hanging with a height of 18 meters (59 feet) and a diameter of 3 meters (9.8 feet) is the biggest in China. As national treasure, moonmilk was initially found in the Shihua Cave and has a history of 10,000 to 50,000 years. These moonmilks resemble the shape of lotus and become water slag when twisted. This cave boasts the largest and the thinnest stone shields in China. The king of stone shields is 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) high, with a diameter of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) while the thinnest is only 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) thick. Having more than 540 layers and a width of 18 meters (19.7 yards), the biggest stone curtain adds charm to this marvelous cave. A thin and transparent stone flag at the top of the cave is also unique to the Shihua Cave in China.

Reputed to be the 'Underground Pearl of Beijing', the Shihua Cave (Stone Flower Cave) is located in Nancheying Village, Fangshan District, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of downtown Beijing. Deriving its name from a large number of colorful stone flowers, the cave was discovered in 1446 and is a representative landscape of karst caves in North China. A variety of stalagmites, stalactites, stone waterfalls, stone curtains, stone towers, stone pearls and crystal flowers make visitors feel they are in an underground palace.

Eighteen deep pools are scatter through the magnificent canyon, resembling shining pearls in an enchanting painting. The shining water waves are reflected on vast rock walls by the brilliant sunlight, presenting a dazzling sight. You could have a try to catch some small fish swimming around in the clear water. It is wondrous that underneath a deep pool lie several unfathomable caves!

Most of the area is covered by forests, green mountains, clear waters, blue sky, and the white clouds complement each other. In spring, marvelous flowers and rare plants come into your view in overwhelming succession. In summer, boating, swimming, or fishing in the water, and enjoying the bewitchingly beautiful scene, are really wonderful. If you come here in September and October, you will have the chance to pick many fruits, including Chinese gooseberries, wild grapes, Chinese date, hazel, and walnut.

Admission Fee:
CNY 35
Bus Route:
987 from Dongzhimenwai (东直门外) to Miyun Shuiku (Miyun Reservoir, 密云水库), then take a taxi to the Jiudaowan Canyon (九道湾大峡谷).
980, 970 from Dongzhimenwai ((东直门外) to Miyun Bus Station (密云汽车站), then transfer to a small bus to the Jiudaowan Canyon (九道湾大峡谷).

The fanciful canyon zigzags through the mountains, forming nine gulfs with each gulf offering exotic views. In the third gulf lies a vast stone resembling an energetic frog; seen from another direction, the stone looks like a toddling turtle. How interesting! Near the eighth gulf, a strange footprint of 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) long is clearly engraved in the straight rock wall. Was it made by dripping water or by some ancient people? It remains a strange mystery.

In the ninth gulf, a winding path in the woods leads to the extremely cool cave. This mysterious cave, noted for 'a natural air conditioner', is a great attraction in North China. In midsummer, the intense heat can be unbearable; however, one can feel a chill to the bone inside the cave. How greatly the temperature changes just a few steps away!

The Jiudaowan Canyon, the longest canyon in Miyun County, is located to the west of Beishicheng Village, Shicheng Town, about 88 kilometers (55 miles) from Beijing. With an area of 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres), the scenic area offers seventy-eight attractions, including a graceful lake, five grand waterfalls, eighteen deep pools, and an extremely cool cave. The canyon faces the pleasant Yunmengshan National Forest Park in the west, and the Miyun Reservoir in the east.

The picturesque canyon is known as 'the Huangguoshu Waterfall of North China', for it is as beautiful as the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou Province. The canyon is stunning with countless steep peaks and strange rocks, and they entrance visitors with their infinite variety of forms. Some look like sleeping dragons and some resemble intimate couples. A vast stone stands firmly in the water, while two towering peaks are visitors' prompts for happiness.

The natural scenery outside the cave is enchanting. Near the cave lies a temple with an unusual spring. The spring is rather cold in hot summer, but there is steam rising from the spring in bitter winter. To the east, an artificial lake and a great canyon are adorned with wild flowers in spring and red leaves in autumn. The tamed squirrels in a nearby park are unafraid of visitors and often come very close.

Admission Fee:
CNY 45
Opening Hours:
08:00-18:00
Bus Route:
917 (Tianqiao Long Distance Bus Station-Zhangfang) (天桥长途汽车站-张坊), and then take a taxi to the Xianqi Cave (仙栖洞).

There are more than ten varieties of karst landscape in the marvelous cave including stalactites, stone pillars, stalagmite, pinnacles, cobbles, stone curtains, cave flowers, and stone drums. The stalactites have unique shapes and exquisite coloring. Some stalagmites stand over 10 meters (33 feet), like grand pillars, while some gather together and look like forests of towers.

The white stalagmites offer thousands of shapes. Some are of massive, while others tower high and straight. Some are especially fascinating because they produce a musical ringing when tapped. The hall, bejeweled with colorful lights, presents a splendid view. Such a rare and magnificent karst cave which is enormous and possesses innumerable wonders combines extraordinary beauty with the strangeness of another world.

Located in the southwestern district of Fangshan, the mysterious Xianqi Cave is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from urban Beijing. The cave is a typical karst cave with large areas of karst formations. The karsts have infinite variety and are amazing and vivid. Naturally, the cave is called 'a Fairyland in Beijing'. With a waterway 450 meters (1480 feet) long, the cave is only accessible by boat. The deep cave has upper, middle and lower floors with numerous crisscrossed underground streams. It is said that the cave took form 1,600 million years ago and the flowers inside have developed for 1 million years. The cave has a total length of more than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), and 900 meters (2,950 feet) are available for sightseeing. The entrance to the cave makes it distinct from all others. Visitors enter the cave by a waterway located half-way up a hill and leave the cave on foot. The temperature in the cave is comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold.

This scenic area is unique with colorful aquatic sports. On the clear Qingliang Lake, sporting on bamboo rafts, climbing grids, and playing on swings are all very challenging. If you prefer to amuse yourself on land, horse-riding is for you.

Fees:
Qingliang Valley
CNY 36
Pearl Waterfall
CNY 16
Charge free for bamboo rafting, wire-walking, and aquatic grid-climbing
Opening hours:
08:00-18:00
Bus Route:
980 from Dongzhimenwai (东直门外), get off at Miyun Gulou (Miyun Drum Tower, 密云鼓楼), and then take a small bus to the Qingliang Valley (清凉谷).

The scenic area is characterized by various waterfalls and pools. Whether in rainy days, or during dry seasons, the magnificent waterfalls offer you unusual discoveries. About 5 kilometers from the entrance of the valley lies an imposing Pearl Waterfall. The water rushes down from a high cliff and resembles a charming curtain of pearls. A glimpse into a distinctive cave behind the Pearl Waterfall will impress you deeply.

The mountains command a fine view of the pleasant valley, including a grand canyon with high mountains and steep cliffs on both sides. In the canyon, the peaks tower into the sky, while the gullies are deep and awesome. A viewing platform at an elevation of over 700 meters (2,300 feet) gives you spectacular views of this beautiful land.