Two days and one night, take you to wander the Shijingshan Moshikou Historical and Cultural District

Number of days：3 days
Time: September
Average cost: 2000 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2022.09.16

[Getting to Know Moshikou Street]

I've been to Beijing many times, but this was my first time visiting the Moshikou Historical and Cultural District in Shijingshan District, west of Beijing, with friends. It's a popular online photo spot showcasing a thousand-year-old ancient road and centuries-old villages.

Formerly known as Moshikou, the ancient village was named after its abundance of bluestone whetstones. Since ancient times, it has served as the Camel Bell Road connecting Beijing to the Great Wall. Xiangzi, the protagonist of "Camel Xiangzi," written by the People's Artist Lao She, originated here. In February 1922, the ancient village became the first village in Beijing to receive electricity when the Beijing Huashang Electric Light Company supplied electricity to the capital. This success transformed the village from a "grindstone mouth" into its current "model mouth." This restored and renovated cultural street, which has become a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities, is 1,500 meters long and runs east-west. Walking along the newly renovated streets, you'll be dotted with sculptures of camels, tigers, cats, and pigeons on rooftops, creating a vibrant fusion of ancient culture and modern fashion.

[Must-visit temples]

Address: No. 48, Moshikou Street, Shijingshan District, Beijing
Tickets: Regular price 20 yuan; discounted price 10 yuan
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Ticket sales stop at 4:00 PM, closed on Mondays, open on holidays)
Reservations: Use the "Shijingshan Travel" WeChat official account or the "Shijingshan WenE" app

The Cheng'en Temple and the Museum of the Eight Wonders of Yanjing are located only 400 meters from Fahai Temple. It comprises four courtyards and encompasses the Mountain Gate Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Main Hall, and the Dharma Hall. The Heavenly King Hall within the temple boasts a collection of Ming Dynasty murals, each of remarkable quality and artistry, a rare find. These murals were created by imperial painters. These murals are similar in style to those in the nearby famous Fahai Temple, both dating from the mid-Ming Dynasty. However, these murals hold even greater cultural value. Unfortunately, they are currently under restoration and closed to the public, so we missed the opportunity to admire them. The temple architecture is also quite distinctive, with two-story stone towers, approximately 10 meters high, built in square formations at each corner. These towers feature simple stone windows, a rarity among Beijing temples. Located within the thousand-year-old Cheng'en Temple, the Beijing Museum of Eight Wonders of Yanjing is the first intangible cultural heritage museum in Beijing to combine the display of imperial art with the experience of experiencing imperial skills. The museum houses hundreds of pieces (sets) of Yanjing's Eight Wonders crafts, including gold and lacquer inlay, filigree inlay, cloisonné, ivory carving, jade carving, lacquer carving, Beijing embroidery, and imperial carpets, as well as ancient wood carvings, root carvings, and stone carvings. The Cheng'en Temple and the Yanjing Eight Wonders Museum are currently under renovation and are expected to open in December. They are not open in the near future, so please manage your time accordingly.

[China Quaternary Glacial Relics Exhibition Hall]

China Quaternary Glacial Relics Exhibition Hall, this is a museum built on the remains of glacial scratches, or a geological museum, which popularized a lot of geographical knowledge. An inconspicuous trail on both sides starts from the Sinian Period and ends at the Quaternary Period. The exhibition hall has two floors. The first floor includes an introduction, glacier knowledge, the Glacial Scratches Conservation Area, and information on Earth's evolution and typical Quaternary glacial landforms. There is also a multi-purpose hall where you can watch popular science films about glaciers.

The exhibition hall has two floors. The first floor includes an introduction, glacier knowledge, the Glacial Scratches Conservation Area, and information on Earth's evolution and typical Quaternary glacial landforms. There is also a multi-purpose hall where you can watch popular science films about glaciers.

The Shishikou area is home to many hidden treasures, one of which is Tian Yi's tomb, now known as the Shijingshan District Stone Carving Cultural Relics Park.

The park features numerous stone carvings and statues, as well as exquisitely carved stone offerings in front of the tombs. It's well worth a visit. There are two open tomb chambers; those brave enough can go inside. A light switch is located at the entrance.

It's actually not that scary inside. It's like a miniature Dingling Mausoleum. The specifications are quite high. It's rare to see such a high-quality mausoleum built for a eunuch.

For those who enjoy history, I recommend taking a closer look at the stone carvings; they're rich in content and well worth a look. Moshikou History and Folk Customs Exhibition Hall: "Gudao Sicun" (Moshikou History, Culture and Folk Customs Exhibition Hall) was originally the "West Lord Temple." Over the years, it was contracted by surrounding residents to operate a pharmacy. After renovation, it has been renovated to incorporate museum exhibitions and a boutique coffee shop, showcasing the many unique cultural relics and attractions of Moshikou and the unique folk customs of western Beijing. ZIP COFFEE × MOSI is located within the Moshikou Historical and Folk Customs Exhibition Hall. Enjoy a miniature display of history and culture within its courtyard. Sip a cup of coffee and soak in the rich history and culture.

Sipping courtyard coffee here and feeling the traces of history through old photos and objects is truly a unique experience!

[Fan Deng Bookstore]

Fan Deng Bookstore, originally a dilapidated residential building, was repurposed and repurposed through the classification and integration of existing conditions, along with the introduction of the renowned "Fan Deng Bookstore" brand. The resulting building has been transformed into a comprehensive family-themed boutique cultural courtyard, integrating parent-child experiences, a boutique homestay, and a cultural bookstore.

This place not only provides you and your children with a home-like warm and cozy resting environment, but also an atmosphere rich in books and cultural and creative products with sci-fi and scientific attributes displayed inside and outside the courtyard, and can also inspire children's passion for exploration and learning. A small shop steeped in traditional Beijing culture, run by a shop owner who is passionate about it. The rabbit figurine in the shop is arguably the largest I've ever seen in Beijing. I highly recommend bringing your kids here for a stroll and a chance to learn about Beijing's traditional culture.

The store also offers many DIY activities, such as painting bunny figurines and other plastic objects, which is quite fun.

It's a great place for family activities, and children love crafts.

[Jia Mao Immersive Cat Experience Center]
The only way to relieve worries is to pet cats. Beijing is full of cat cafes, and Jia Mao, located at 179 Moshikou Street, Shijingshan District, is an immersive cat experience center with 20 resident cats, each of which is a master of cuteness, making it a perfect place for girls and children to check in! The museum offers entertainment options such as arcade games and small board games, and displays nearly 100 cat-themed cultural and creative products. The owner is incredibly kind. On weekdays, the place isn't busy, and even if you're late, he won't rush you. He'll even pick out a docile cat for you to hold. There's a wide variety of cats, all chubby and charming, creating a truly delightful experience. The immersive experience center not only allows you to get close to pets, but also allows you to pet the cats and share your good looks on social media.

[Shimakou Food]

When visiting Shimakou Street, you can't miss the popular Fahai Temple fried cakes. The fried cakes and glutinous rice balls are freshly made and sold, with a crispy crust and sweet glutinous rice. The homemade red bean paste is smooth and not overly sweet, making it a great value.

Start lining up early; if you're late, you'll miss out. Next to the Fahai Temple fried cakes is a popular Shandong multi-grain pancake shop. Since both shops are located at the intersection leading up the mountain to Fahai Temple, they attract not only local residents but also tourists from Fahai Temple and even Moshikou Street. Holding the lukewarm pancakes in your hand, they smell incredibly appetizing, and you can clearly see the layers of fillings wrapped inside – a truly satisfying experience. 【Restaurants worth visiting in Mofangkou】

Huizhen Kitchen

Recommended signature dishes include the chef's signature stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu on the tip of your tongue, and Huangshan bamboo shoots.

Grandma's Kitchen is an American-style Western restaurant that combines Chinese "tastes", using fresh ingredients, creative dishes and skilled cooking techniques to create a series of delicious dishes. We recommend the Spanish Chorizo Brunch, which comes with Parma ham, garlic bread, prawns, fried potato wedges and more. The rich, balanced brunch is complemented by a secret sauce that creates a delicious and delicate flavor.

The booths next to the transparent glass windows and the open terrace on the second floor are both excellent places for taking photos, and the atmosphere is perfectly captured. This is a quiet courtyard house, a fusion of a bar and a unique courtyard. After a day of strolling around Moshikou, stepping inside is a refreshing revelation. Peaceful and tranquil, a rare piece of pure land. There's a wide variety of cocktails here. I opted for the famous Manhattan, which was a bit heady, but it suited my mood perfectly. The Negrolin was also quite good, both in appearance and taste.

Listen to soothing music here and end the day perfectly.

[Postscript]

How was it? Did the renovated Mofangkou Historical and Cultural District catch your eye?
This early autumn, let's explore the transformed Mofangkou. Wandering along the Camel Bell Trail, you can experience the ancient culture of the Daxishan Mountains, listen to the fading sounds of the camel bells, and sigh at the vicissitudes of history and the changes of the times...