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| Longqingxia Ravine
Travel Guide |
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Longqingxia Ravine (Dragon Rejoice Ravine) has been a local attraction since the Song Dynasty. Emperor Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty was born south of here. When he ascended the throne, he named the county Longqing Prefecture to commemorate his birthplace.
About 85 kilometers north of Beijing proper, this recreational site is part of a large reservoir on the Gucheng River. The dam was built in 1981.
There is good skating in the winter, as well as lanterns and sculptures to enjoy. Boats are available the rest of the year for tourists to view the natural scenes of the valley, which are inaccessible by other modes of travel.
Some say the scenery can be compared to Lijiang in Guilin and the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River.
There is a temple built in 1639 along the water’s edge. At one time there were images of the founders of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism there.
Beside them is a famous pond, the bottom of which can be seen through clear water over one meter deep. There are nine old cypress trees on the cliff behind, one called the “magic king of trees” with its trunk extending way beyond the edge of the cliff.
The only way to the ravine is by boat along the reservoir at the present time. It is possible to rent a tent and stay at the foot of the hill overnight. The next morning you can hike to Songshan Forest Park for a change of scene.
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