Searching for the Holy Lotus Mountain, Passing Through the North and South Temples, Climbing to the Summit of Tianmen Mountain, and Receiving the Blue Lotus Flower

Number of days: 1 day
Time: April
With whom: and friends

Shenglian Mountain, formerly known as Taishan, was renamed Lianhua Mountain because the mountain resembles lotus petals. It was later renamed Shenglian Mountain because of the Shengmi Stone Pond within the scenic area. Shenglian Mountain is a comprehensive cultural tourism resort that combines natural scenery, cultural architecture, and geological relics, combining danger, mystery, unique beauty, and beauty.

With its unique charm of "three religions embodying one mountain, and a myriad of scenic views nestled among its thousands of valleys," Shenglian Mountain has become a model for ecotourism and cultural experiences in Beijing. Whether exploring its geological wonders on foot or meditating and gaining enlightenment in its ancient temples, visitors can find a truly special place to call home. Driven by spring love, we came to Shenglian Mountain, nestled among the mountains. After arriving at the scenic area, we headed straight to the Tianmenguan Cable Car Station. As the cable car slowly climbed, the scene outside the window seemed like a geology textbook. The axe-cut Cuiping Peak appeared before our eyes like a page torn open by a giant. The rhyolite layer on the title page was filled with the Earth's annual rings, recording the Earth's code from billions of years ago. Cuiping Peak is also known as Blade Mountain. The thinnest part of the thousand-meter cliff is only 1.5 meters. During the rainy season, waterfalls pour down from the blade-shaped rock top, forming the wonder of "white silk cut by the sky".

Ascending by cable car, the 28-turn path winds its way like a giant dragon up the mountainside, a scene that suddenly appears before your eyes. The 28 turns echo the number of the constellations. Climbing the steps feels like traveling through time and space, ascending to the heavens. The Ming Dynasty poet Xu Xiake's admiration for "ladders reaching the clouds to the Han River" suddenly comes true. The S-shaped stone steps, like a ladder to heaven, appear and disappear beneath the lush greenery, connecting the mortal world with the clouds.

After getting off the bus, the Taoist secret Beimiao complex is right before your eyes. Built in 1924, Beimiao is the core of Shenglian Mountain's Taoist culture. Its main temple, Pantao Palace, along with the Holy Mother Palace and Doumu Palace, are known as the Three Palaces. Its green tiles and red walls are nestled among pine and cypress trees. This area was once a summer resort for dignitaries of the Republic of China. The ruins of the villas of Cao Kun and Wu Peifu tell of centuries of history. A bronze statue of Peking Opera master Yang Xiaolou, depicting him and Mei Lanfang in "Farewell My Concubine," tells stories both on and off the stage.

Saint Lotus Mountain is named Lotus Mountain because its entire massif resembles lotus petals. Since we couldn't quite discern them, we decided to climb to the summit of Tianmen Mountain. We'd get a close look at the Lotus Tower and a distant view of Lotus Peak, and then we'd keep climbing, aiming for Tianmen Mountain! The moment we reached the summit, the view suddenly opened up. Nearby was the iconic Lotus Tower, and in the distance, Lotus Peak resembled the blooming green lotus we'd imagined.