New Year Sun at Yaji Shan

Yaji Mountain (Yajishan 丫髻山) rises from the green hills of Pinggu District, around 80 kilometres northeast of Beijing’s centre. Its twin summits resemble the “ya-ji” a graceful double-bun hairstyle once worn by ancient Chinese girls, evoking balance and harmony. This poetic resemblance mirrors the mountain’s spirit — a union of stone, forest, and faith where tradition and nature coexist in quiet equilibrium.​

The mountain is cherished for its serene spiritual character. Ancient temples and pavilions climb along its ridges, built to blend with the cliffs and pine trees rather than dominate them. Their curved roofs and parqueted courtyards, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, reflect the Taoist sense of order in nature. Even a gentle breeze through the cedar groves carries a contemplative rhythm, as temple bells echo softly across the valley.​

Beyond its historical sanctuaries, Yaji Mountain offers a rewarding climb through dense forest trails leading to panoramic viewpoints. The uppermost pavilion provides an unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside stretching to distant mountains. At sunrise or sunset, the granite peaks glow golden under shifting light — a moment that captures the mountain’s poetic stillness.

Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting, when the sky clears and forests turn vivid green or amber. In April, the long-standing temple fair fills the courtyards with local food, incense, and folk performances, celebrating the continuity of old Beijing traditions. Yet during winter, as in an early January visit, the mountain reveals another side — silent, pure, and largely untouched. For those seeking calm within Beijing’s crowded outskirts, Yaji Mountain feels like a sanctuary where stillness itself becomes part of the landscape.