Dajuesi–Beijian–Yangtaishan: The Classic Two-Peak Loop

Overview

The Dajuesi–Beijian–Yangtaishan loop is Beijing hiking's answer to the half-marathon: long enough to be a genuine achievement, demanding enough to require training, and celebrated enough to have developed its own culture of Strava-style time-keeping among local hikers. A "good time" on the Two Peaks is under 6 hours. Most mere mortals take 8–10.

The route begins and ends at Dajue Temple (大觉寺 / "Temple of Great Awakening"), one of Beijing's oldest and most beautiful Buddhist temples. Founded in 1068 during the Liao Dynasty, expanded under the Ming, and restored in the Qing, the temple is famous for its 300-year-old magnolia trees, its cypress-and-rat statue (a famous optical illusion carving), and its spring water — long considered the finest tea-brewing water in Beijing. The temple is worth visiting in its own right, before or after the hike.

From the temple, the trail climbs aggressively to Beijian (北尖 / "North Peak," ~1,140 m), a rocky summit with a communications tower and sweeping views over the Haidian plain. The climb gains ~800 m in roughly 4 km — one of the steepest sustained ascents in the Beijing region. This is the crux: a relentless dirt-and-rock firebreak that tests legs and lungs in equal measure.

From Beijian, the trail follows the ridge south-west to Yangtaishan (阳台山 / "Balcony Mountain," 1,276 m), the highest peak in Haidian District. The ridge between the two peaks undulates through pine forest and open granite outcrops, with the Mentougou mountains spreading to the west. At the Yangtaishan summit, a stone trig pillar and fire watchtower mark the high point. On a clear day, the Beijing CBD is visible 40 km to the east.

The descent loops back to Dajue Temple through a forested valley, completing the circuit.

This route is the foundation of Beijing's "Three Peaks" (三峰) system: Beijian (北尖), Yangtaishan (阳台山), and Miaofengshan (妙峰山). Master the Two Peaks, and the full Three Peaks traverse is your next goal.

The Route

This GPX runs counter-clockwise: start at the Dajue Temple shop (大觉寺商店) and finish at the Dajue Temple car park (大觉寺停车场).

Treat the loop as four checkpoints. Skip the second peak and you have only done half the route locals actually respect:

1. Dajue Temple → base of the firebreak. Walk past the temple wall and the trail kicks up almost immediately. This is your last shop and water for the next 8+ hours — fill up here.
2. The Beijian firebreak (THE CRUX). ~4 km of relentless dirt-and-rock climbing, gaining ~800 m to Beijian Peak (北尖, ~1,140 m) — a rocky clearing under a communications tower with the whole Haidian plain laid out below. Most of the day's suffering is behind you once you tag this.
3. The ridge to Yangtaishan. Follow the spine south-west through pine forest and open granite, over the Xiaofengkou (小风口) saddle, to Yangtaishan (阳台山, 1,276 m) — Haidian's highest point, marked by a stone trig pillar and fire watchtower. Do not turn back at Beijian: tagging both peaks is the entire point of the "Two Peaks."
4. Valley descent → Dajue Temple. Drop off Yangtaishan into the forested valley and follow the GPX closely (multiple junctions here) back to the car park where you started.

Getting There

By Subway + Taxi (Recommended)

By Bus

Return

The loop ends at Dajue Temple. Reverse your inbound route. DiDi operates in the Dajue Temple area but drivers are sparse — allow 10–15 minutes for a car to arrive.

What to Bring

• Water: 3 litres minimum. No water on the ridge. Dajue Temple has a small shop near the entrance.
• Lunch / snacks. Bring everything for 8–10 hours. There are no vendors anywhere on the trail.
• Hiking boots with grip. The Beijian firebreak is loose dirt and stone. Trail runners work in dry conditions.
• Trekking poles (strongly recommended). The Beijian climb and the long descent will punish your knees. Poles make a significant difference on this length of trail.
• Sun protection. Both summits and the ridge are exposed.
• Layers. Yangtaishan summit is windswept and cooler than the trailhead. A windbreaker is usually sufficient.
• Headlamp. 8–10 hours means you may finish after dark, especially in autumn/winter. Do not rely on finishing in daylight. Always carry a headlamp on this route.
• Offline map with GPX track. Mandatory. download the gpx file, There aren't many people on weekdays, but you might run into some on weekends, though those who do go there climb the mountain very quickly.
• Cash: ¥100–200. Backup for temple entry, taxi, and the small shop.

Navigation & Maps

• Download the survey-corrected GPX from this page. Standard hiking apps like AllTrails can show your location hundreds of meters off-trail in China; this track is corrected for the GCJ-02 → WGS-84 coordinate offset, so you always know exactly where you are on the ridge.
• Load the GPX into an offline map app (OsmAnd, Gaia GPS, etc.) before you leave the trailhead — signal is patchy in the valley and you do not want to be hunting for a track mid-climb.
• The Beijian firebreak is obvious: it is the single steepest line cutting up the hillside behind Dajue Temple. You cannot miss it.
• Beijian summit: the communications tower is visible from below. Aim for it.
• Yangtaishan: the fire watchtower and trig pillar are unmistakable. Follow the ridge south-west from Beijian and you will reach it.
• The descent route has multiple trail junctions. Follow the GPX track closely in the valley section.
• If lost, head downhill and east. Any eastward route eventually reaches the Haidian plain and a road.

Tips & Warnings

Best time to go

• October–November is the prime season. The autumn foliage on the ridge is spectacular, and the clear air gives Yangtaishan its best long-distance views. Cool, ideal hiking temperatures. Daylight hours are shorter — start by 07:00.
• March–May is excellent. Dajue Temple's famous magnolias bloom in late March/early April — worth planning your hike around. Mild temperatures, dry trails. The Beijian firebreak is at its grippiest.
• June–August: The Beijian firebreak in summer heat is brutal — it faces south-west and catches full afternoon sun. Start at 05:00–06:00. Carry extra water (4+ litres). Thunderstorms are a lightning risk on the ridges.
• December–February: The firebreak can be icy. Microspikes recommended. The descent trail in the valley holds snow and ice. Short daylight hours — start by 06:00 and expect to finish with a headlamp.

Safety

• The Beijian firebreak is the main physical challenge. Take it at your own pace. Rest as needed. The steepest sections are in the first 2 km — it eases after that.
• Length and timing: 14 km with 1,440 m gain is a full day out. Start no later than 08:00 (07:00 in autumn/winter). Carry a headlamp regardless of start time — delays happen.
• Heat exhaustion on the firebreak in summer is a real risk. The trail is fully exposed to the afternoon sun. Salt tablets or electrolyte powder recommended in hot weather.
• Emergency: call 110. Nearest hospital: Wenquan Town (~20 min). The firebreak is within 2 km of the Dajue Temple road — extraction is relatively quick compared to more remote routes.
• Tell someone your route and expected return. Cell signal is reliable at the summits.

Plan B — Payment & Language

• Dajue Temple area has a small shop and a restaurant near the car park. WeChat/AliPay accepted. Cash ¥100–200 as backup.
• Dajue Temple itself charges ¥20 entry (optional — you do not need to enter the temple to access the hiking trail). The temple is worth visiting for the magnolias (March/April) and the ancient architecture.
• DiDi from Dajue Temple: available but expect a 10–15 minute wait. The 633 bus stop is ~500 m from the temple.

Language emergency card — screenshot and show if you need help:

「我需要帮助 / 我受伤了 / 请帮我叫一辆车回北安河地铁站」 Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù / Wǒ shòushāng le / Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào yī liàng chē huí Běi'ānhé Dìtiězhàn "I need help / I am injured / Please help me get a car back to Beianhe Subway Station"

「我走不完环线了 / 请问最近的下山路在哪里？」 Wǒ zǒu bù wán huánxiàn le / Qǐngwèn zuìjìn de xiàshān lù zài nǎlǐ? "I cannot finish the loop / Where is the nearest way down?"

Key Landmarks

More Beijing Trails

• Fenghuangling–Xiaofengkou–Yangtaishan Loop — 凤凰岭—阳台山 · Tougher, shorter loop intersecting at Yangtaishan
• Xiangbala: Xiangshan–Badachu Traverse — 香八拉 · Easier Haidian ridge traverse
• Donglingshan 2-Day Traverse — 东灵山 · Highest peak, if 1,440 m gain was not enough