Chicheng county: Beijing's backyard

Chicheng county is located 180 kilometers north of the capital, Beijing, and covers 5,287 square kilometers. Chicheng, or red city, gets its name from the red iron-rich earth in the county.

Away from excessive development, many scenic spots in the county are seldom visited by outsiders, and are well-preserved in their original forms, including natural mineral fountains, primeval forest, high mountain meadows and glacial vestiges. If you are tired of hot tourism destinations congested by sightseers, Chicheng county may be a better alternative for pursuing a peaceful and cooler summer getaway.

Water therapy: Tang Quan Fountain

Tang Quan Fountain consists of six natural fountains that gained fame for Chicheng county. They were formed by rainfall and complicated geological movements. Rainfall was heated by lava after they penetrated the mineral stones 20 kilometers under the earth. Temperatures at the six fountains range from 0 C at the lowest Leng Quan fountain to 68 C at the hottest Zong Quan fountain. These fountains release more than 20 kinds of minerals that can benefit health and help cure arthritis, skin and bowel diseases.

The fountains were discovered more than 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 220). Temples and palaces were destroyed and built again throughout different ancient periods.

The bathing site of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang during the Qing Dynasty（1662～1722）

A vistor collects fountain water at Tang Quan Fountain in Chicheng county, Hebei province on July 19, 2012.

Front gate of Tang Quan Fountain.The fountain consists of six natural fountains that gained fame for Chicheng county.

Emperor Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty（1662～1722）came and stayed to enjoy the fountains for 51 days when he accompanied his mother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, in 1672. You can find Tang Quan fountain 7.5 km west of Chicheng county's central district.

Cooler world: Bing Shan Liang glacial vestige

Bing Shan Liang glacial vestige is one of the best places to get away from the heat near Beijing. The average temperature in July is 18.8 C, owing to its 2,211-meter altitude. Snow will not melt until June. The vestige was formed during the last ice age, 10,000 years ago, but it is now covered with grass and all kinds of flowers. Bing Shan Liang is located 45 km north of the county's central district. This place is definitely designed for hikers and amateur photographers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temple in the sky: Chao Yang Guan Temple

Chao Yang Guan is a temple that hangs high in the sky. It was constructed on a huge stone from 1553 to 1557 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Workers dug caves as halls for displaying sages' sculptures, such as Lao Zi and Confucius, on a vertical surface of a sharp stone 600 meters high. The temple consists of more than 10 caves where thousands of sculptures were carved into the cave walls 500 meters above the foot of the stone.

Caves dugged as halls for displaying sages' sculptures

Sculptures in a cave of the temple 500 meters above the foot of the stone.

Sculptures in a cave of the temple 500 meters above the foot of the stone.

 

Wild paradise: Hei Long Mountain Park

Hei Long Mountain Park lies 80 km west of the central district of Chicheng county. The highest peak is 2,292.7 meters above sea level. Visitors can have close contact with wild animals, such as red deer, black storks and boars, in this heavily forested park. In addition, people will find that many plants grown in the park are used as ingredients for Chinese traditional medicines.