XiaoWutai Mountain Nature Reserve in Zhangjiakou
English name: Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve in Zhangjiakou
Chinese Name: 张家口小五台山自然保护区
Best Time: All day long from June 1st to October 30th
Recommended Hiking Hours: 1 or 3 days
Ticket Price: CNY 200
Location: Yuxian County and Zhuolu County of Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province
Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve
XiaoWutai Mountain Nature Reserve(小五台山) is located in Yuxian County and Zhuolu County of Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province, 78 miles (125 kilometers) to the west of central Beijing. “Wutai” literally means “five peaks” because the mountain has five main peaks. “Small” is added before “wutai” to distinguish it from the Wutai Mountain in Shanxi Province. Being part of Taihang Mountains, the Small Wutai Mountain takes up a total area of 53,951 acres (21,833 hectares), with a length of 37 miles ( 60 kilometers) and a width of 17 miles (28 kilometers). It was listed as a provincial nature reserve in November, 1983, and a national nature reserve in July, 2002.
Why is Small Wutai Mountain So Special
- The name is interesting. “Wutai” simply means “five peaks” because the mountain has five main peaks. “Small” is added before “Wutai” to distinguish it from the Wutai Mountain in Shanxi Province. It was listed as a provincial nature reserve in November, 1983, and a national nature reserve in July, 2002. There are two scenic areas in Xiaowutai Mountain Nature Reserve: Yangjiaping Scenic Area and Jinhekou Scenic Area.
- Xiaowutai Mountain is abundant with wild life resources, including over 670 kinds of plants, 41 Provincial Protected Animals, and 20 National Protected Animals.
- Xiaowutai Mountain is also a paradise for hiking and camping lovers. This is the most difficult hiking routes near Beijing that you can possibly find. Routes include the Shanjiankou Route, the Chiyabao Route, the West Jinhekou Route, and the Xiahuichuan Route. The reserve also prepares lots of camps along the routes for hikers to stop and have a rest or a snack.
Where is Small Wutai Mountain
The Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve is located in Yuxian County and Zhuolu County of Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province, 78 miles (125 kilometers) to the west of central Beijing. 150 kilometers to the north of Zhangjiakou City.
How to Get to Small Wutai Mountain
- Take a long-distance bus to Yuxian County at the Northern Suburban Long-distance Bus Station, the Zhaogongkou Long-distance Bus Station, or the Liuliqiao Long-distance Bus Station. Afterwards, take a taxi to the site at the price of about CNY 6. The schedule of the long-distance bus is listed below.
| From | To | Leave at | Duration | Ticket Price (CNY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Suburban | Yuxian | 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:40, 17:50 | 4h | 90 |
| Liuliqiao | 6:20, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 17:10 | 5h | 90 | |
| Zhaogongkou | 13:00 | 4h | 81 |
- Take a long-distance bus to Yuxian County at the Zhangjiakou Passenger Station. Afterwards, transfer to a taxi at the price of about CNY 6. The long-distance bus is available from 5:45 to 17:00 at the price of about CNY 43. The duration is about 3 hours.
- Take a coach to Wei County, get off at Xihe Camp, and then take a three-wheel drive Car or van to Chiyapu or Xijinhekou Management Station.
Recommended Visiting Route of Small Wutai Mountain
Hiking Route
The Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve is a paradise for hiking and camping lovers because the most difficult hiking routes near Beijing can be found here. These routes are the Shanjiankou Route, the Chiyabao Route, the West Jinhekou Route, and the Xiahuichuan Route. Besides, there are a lot of camps along these routes, where hikers can stop to have a rest or a snack.
- The Shanjiankou Route is the shortest and easiest one. Hikers can take a local tractor to the Shanjiankjou Camp with an altitude of about 6,562 feet (2,000 meters). Next, they will ascend the East Peak, and then the Middle Peak, the West Peak, and even the farthest South Peak one by one.
- The Chiyabao Route starts from Chiyabao, a village at the foot of the North Peak. At first, hikers will reach the North Peak. Then, they will ascend the highest peak, the East Peak. If they are energetic enough, they can challenge the West Peak, the Middle Peak and the South Peak.
- The West Jinhekou Route winds its way towards the West Peak. Upon arrival at the West Peak, hikers can go to the Fork Camp to have a rest. Then, they can either go northward to the East Peak and the North Peak, or hike southward to the Middle Peak and the South Peak.
- The Xiahuichuan Route leads to the South Peak. There are a lot of camps between the South Peak and the Middle Peak, where hikers can stop to enjoy the intoxicating scenery and get prepared for the next journey. After reaching the Middle Peak, they can go westward to the West Peak, or go northward to the East Peak and North Peak.
Best Time to Go
The best season for Small Wutai Mountain is summer，especially July and August. At this time, the mountains are cool and dense, and the alpine meadows are covered with mountains and flowers. It is suitable for outdoor relaxation travel.
Useful Tips for Hiking Small Wutai Mountain
1. The Small Wutai Mountain is unexploited, so hikers need to find several partners to go with.
2. Some slopes are very steep and dangerous. Hikers should be careful.
3. Hiking is time-consuming and energy-consuming, so take enough food and water.
4. The temperature is so changeable in high mountain. So, hikers should better take sleeping bags, damp proof mats, thick jackets and pants to keep warm and protect themselves from being frostbitten on the mountain tops if they want to stay overnight there.
5. Jinhekou Natural Scenic Spot, admission ticket: 75 yuan per person; other places as national nature reserves, access to mountains for science and technology fees: 45-200 yuan per person. Every year from October 31 to May 31 of the following year, it is a period of forest closure for fire protection. Climbing is prohibited.
Introduction of Small Wutai Mountain
There are two scenic areas in the Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve, including the Yangjiaping Scenic Area and the Jinhekou Scenic Area. Thirty-one major attractions are distributed in the scenic areas, including the Cool Valley, the Immortal Sleeping Stone, the Black Dragon Lake, the Pearl Spring, the Colorful Pebbles, the Buddha Watching Terrace…
- Yangjiaping Scenic Area
- Jinhekou Scenic Area
Located at the foot of the first peak of Small Wutai Mountain, Hebei, with an area of 330 thousand mu, it is the only virgin forest around Beijing. There are natural landscapes such as “the Pearl Spring, the Colorful Pebbles, the Buddha Watching Terrace”. - The Small Wutai Mountain is famous for Buddhism. A great number of Buddhist buildings which were constructed by eminent monks remain, including ancient temples, traditional grottoes, time-honored pagodas, and old tablets.
