Small Wutai Mountain Nature Reserve

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. “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.

The Small Wutai Mountain is comprised of numerous peaks, and the slopes vary between 35 and 70 degrees. There are as many as 134 peaks with an altitude of over 6,562 feet (2,000 meters). The peaks higher than 7,546 feet (2,300 meters) amount to 50. The five main peaks are the highest. The East Peak, North Peak, Middle Peak, South Peak, and West Peak are 9,455 feet (2,882 meters), 9,308 feet (2,837 meters), 9,190 feet (2,801 meters), 8,999 feet (2,743 meters) and 8,763 feet (2,671 meters) above sea level respectively. As the highest among the five main peaks, the East Peak is renowned as the main peak of Taihang Mountains and the highest peak in Hebei Province.

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, the Dongpo Site, and the Thin Strip of Sky. More importantly, 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.
 
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.

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 annual average temperature is about 25 F (-4 C). The winter is long, while the summer is pretty short. The temperature fluctuates greatly between day and night in summer. The temperature decreases dramatically with the increase of altitude. 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.

 From Beijing
 By Long-distance Bus:
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 Zhangjiakou
 By Long-distance Bus:
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.