Located northeast of the town of Yanqing, about 90 kilometers from downtown Beijing, Songshan Mountain area is one of the municipality's forest parks, and the only forest in northern China under state protection.

With an altitude of 2,199 meters, Songshan Mountain is the second highest peak around Beijing, just after Lingshan Mountain. Covering 4,660 hectares, Songshan Forest Park offers various sites and activities for urban visitors. The main attractions in Songshan Forest Park are the mountain's valleys; gorges rock formations, old trees, waterfalls and hot spring.

Travel tips:

Address: Zhangshanying Town, Yanqing Country;

Entry ticket: 30 yuan;

Opening hours: 6:00-18:00;

Transportation: Take Bus No. 919 at the Deshengmen Stop to Yanqing Country; then change local bus route 920 (5 yuan/60 US cents) to the forest park;

Tel: 010-69112634; 69112020;

Website: http://www.songshan.org.cn/

(China.org.cn May 17,2008)