The Silver Mountain will be really silver-looking with the recent fall of heavy snow onto Beijing ! Join our hiking group to see the snow-clad mountain and stupas.

This hilly forest area is made up of black granite and is often topped with snow. There are 7 well-preserved stupas commemorating honorable Buddhist monks. Amongst them, five date back to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) while two others were first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Evergreen trees help make it one of Beijings favourite scenic spots with visitors. A community of monks and nuns once lived there, adding further historical interest to the attraction.

Haizi village lies on a quiet road, which runs north from the large village of Xia Zhuang north of Beijing. It is a little known area of quiet valleys and wooded hills, with the Silver Mountain peak visible for all around. The huge boulders of this metamorphic mountain stand out for miles around. In the sunshine, the shimmering smooth slabs of rock really do look like silver.

While there are many valleys pushing into the mountains north of Beijing, this is one of the quietest, the ranges and mountains are unspoiled, unlittered and perfect for walking. Farming can be seen in the side valleys: haws, chestnuts, walnuts, peaches, apples, pears and almonds from the trees, with pumpkin, lettuce, and corn in the fields. Traditional architecture can be seen al along the valley, and there is evidence of older houses being restored. It is such a shame, though, that the people are still content to tip their rubbish and rubble into the river bed.

Driving hours: 2 hours each way; Walk: 1.5-2 hours
Village visit: 2 hours; Level of difficulties: 4+

* Please prepare your own picnic.
* Wear good hiking boots, a jacket and long pants and perhaps a walking stick.