Mount Pan

Background

Mount Pan lies in the northwest of Jizhou District, Tianjin, roughly a hundred kilometres from both downtown Tianjin and Beijing. The mountain has five peaks; the main peak, Guayue Peak, rises to about 860 metres and is crowned by an octagonal pagoda first built in the Tang dynasty. The upper slopes are known for their pines, the middle for strange rocks and the lower for clear streams, forming three layers of scenery: "pines above, rocks in the middle, water below". From the Tang dynasty on, Mount Pan was already a place for sightseeing. Over the centuries 72 temples, 13 pagodas and a royal garden were built on the mountain, and emperors, scholars and poets of many dynasties came to visit. In 2007 the Mount Pan Scenic Area was rated a national 5A tourist attraction.

Local customs

• If you are not a strong walker, take the cable car up to the Guayue Peak area for views over the surrounding peaks. Mid-slope, rocks of every shape crowd the paths, while at the foot of the mountain the streams murmur along, good for a slow stroll. If you enjoy history and culture, look out for the old temples and cliff inscriptions along the way
• if you love hiking, follow the trails across all five peaks, which takes most of a day.

Travel tips

• The scenic area is large, so allow most of a day
• if you are not a strong walker, take the cable car up and down. Admission and the cable car are charged separately
• go by the rates the scenic area publishes. Temperatures vary on the mountain, so bring a jacket and plenty of water, and wear non-slip walking shoes. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so check the forecast before you climb.
• From downtown Tianjin, take a train to Jizhou Station and transfer to a tourist bus. By car, take the Tianjin-Jizhou Expressway to Jizhou District
• the drive from Beijing or Tianjin takes about an hour and a half. There is a car park at the entrance
• arrive early on holidays. Spring and autumn are best, with mountain flowers in spring and red leaves across the slopes in autumn. In summer the woods are lush and the streams cool, a good escape from the heat. In winter the snowy scenery is serene, but some paths are wet and icy, so take extra care.