Situated south-west of Beijing, Fangshan District is one of the capital's largest suburban areas and its greatest treasure house of tourist attractions.
Covering an area of 2,019 square kilometers, the district has a total of 559 cultural relics and many major scenic spots open to the public.

The Fangshan District Publicity Office has designated four major categories of tourist resources in Fangshan: cultural relics tours (including Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site, the ruins of the Yan State Capital, Yunju Temple and Haotian Park), landscape tours (including Ten Ferries, Shangfang Mountain and Puwa Hunting Forest), karst caves tours (including Yunshui Cave, Stone Flowers Cave and Silver Fox Cave) and modern countryside village tours (including Doudian Village, Hancunhe and Green Brook Fishing Pool).

For further information, please contact the Fangshan Tourism Administration on 89352764.

The Fourth Fangshan Tourist Cultural Festival

Following the success of three previous tourist cultural festivals, Fangshan District has organized a fourth event to be held from May 18 to June 18. The festival will be formally launched on May 18 at the districtÕs new Haotian Park in Liangxiang Town.

The opening ceremony will feature a major group performance with yangge dancing, drum dancing, dragon dancing, martial arts, kite-flying and a model ship exhibition.

During the festival, all scenic spots in Fangshan will offer a 20 percent discount. Two shopping streets - one in Liangxiang and one in Fangshan - selling local goods will be open between May 18 and 25.

The festival is aimed at promoting both tourism and business in Fangshan. Business people will taken to modern villages and enterprises to study investment opportunities in agriculture, industry and urban infrastructure. Details of projects will be released to business people throughout the course of the festival.

For anyone who is interested in joining the tour, contact the fistival's organizing office by calling 69313001 ext. 346.

Ruins of the Yan State Capital

The ruins of the Yan State Capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty were excavated in Liulihe Town in the 1970s, providing strong evidence that Beijing was a civilized city more than 3000 years ago.

Route: Bus 917 branch line (917 zhi xian) from Tianqiao

Tel: 89381435

Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site

This is one of the "must-sees" for visitors to Beijing because it is where the ancestors of todayÕs city slickers lived 400,000 to 500,000 years ago. The site is 48 kilometers southwest of Beijing. Human remains and animal fossils are on display in an exhibition at the site.

Route: Minibus from Liuliqiao, then walk about one kilometer. Tel: 69301278

Yunju Temple

Yunju Temple lays claim to being the world's largest carved stone library, containing 14278 stone tablets with inscriptions of Buddhist sutras. There are only 21 Tang Dynasty (618-907) pagodas still standing in China and seven of them are at Yunju Temple.

Route: Tour bus No. 10 (you shi lu) from Qianmen, 6:00am-8:00am

Ticket price: 60 yuan (round trip)

Tel: 61386101

Haotian Pagoda Park

Haotian Pagoda is the only pavilion-style pagoda in Beijing. It has beautifully designed carvings on the walls and eaves. Inside you can climb up and have a good view over Fangshan. A park has been created around the pagoda. The opening ceremony of the Fangshan Tourist Cultural Festival will be held here.

Tel: 69354447

Ten Ferries

Stretching for more than 50 kilometers, the Shidu Scenic Area features stunning natural landscapes, combining clear water scenery and lava landforms.

The fame of Ten Ferries has been carried farther afield thanks to its installation of a bungee jump ±Ä¼«Ìø last summer. The thrill of the jump and cheers of the crowd are really an unforgettable experience.

Other famous spots along Ten Ferries are Gushan Zhai and Muke Zhai

Route: Tour bus No. 10 (you shi lu) from Qianmen, 6:00am-8:00am

Ticket price: 60 yuan (round trip) Tel: 61340078

Puwa Hunting Ground

Puwa is nicknamed "Beijing's Little Tibet". It is 120 kilometers from the capital, and National Road (guo dao) No. 108 leads directly to the mountain's foot. To its east is Baihua Mountain, while to its south lies the Ten Ferries Scenic Area. A hunting ground containing more than 10 kinds of animals is available. There is also a small man-made ancient hunting ground and a wild animal breeding farm for visitors. A hotel, dancing hall, karaoke service, billiard room, checker room, function room and restaurant are all provided to secure a wild yet convenient weekend stay.

Tel: 61340822

Qinglong Lake

Qinglong Lake is only 20 kilometers from Beijing. Close by is a group of ancient buildings including tombs and temples of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Tel: 80378206

Green Brook Hot Spring Hotel

The hotel is furnished up to four star level, with comfortable rooms and a variety of entertainment facilities. A large indoor fishing pond and several outdoor fishing ponds are available for anglers. There are several hot spring pools for bath and massage purposes, a 24-lane bowling alley, 15 billiard tables, table tennis tables, KTV rooms, a fitness center, an electric games center and chess rooms.

For reservations, telephone: 69892133, 69892399, 69892577

Doudian Village and Hancunhe Village

Hancunhe and Doudian Village are wonders of modern Chinese village development. The poor villages have been transformed into well-off areas where people live in new houses and have a rich variety of entertainment. Those curious about the life of a modern Chinese farmer should try this tour.

Route: Bus 917 branch line from Tianqiao

Tel: 69392079

Yunshui Cave

This is one of nine caves on Shangfang Mountain. The cave is 613 meters long, consisting of six halls with 108 natural spots. The cave also has the largest stalagmite in China, topping 37 meters.

Tel: 69889518

Stone Flowers Cave

This is one of the biggest caves in China and contains a superb collection of formations such as stalactites. Six levels have been discovered in the cave and three are now open to the public. The cave is full of life-like stalactites in the shapes of animals, flowers and even musical instruments.

Route: Bus 917 from Tianqiao to Fangshan, then change to minibus. Alternatively, take tour bus No. 7 from Qianmen (east of arrow tower). Ticket price: 22 yuan for round trip. Time: 6:00am-9:00am Tel: 80379170

Silver Fox Cave

This karst cave is named after a large fox-shaped crystal-clear stalactite in the cave. Boating on the underground waters through the 300-meter cave is an incredible experience.

Route: Bus 917 branch line from Tianqiao. Ticket: 20 yuan for round trip.

Shangfang Mountain

Located 70 kilometers southwest of Beijing and famous for its picturesque ranges, the mountain has nine caves and 12 peaks. Yunshui Cave consists of six halls.

Route: An expressway leads directly to the foot of the mountain. You can also take bus 917 branch line from Tianqiao at 7:30am on Saturday and Sunday.