Southwest of the city center, Shangfang Mountain has long attracted Buddhists seeking to escape the world. It is dotted with shrines, temples, tombs and monasteries, though only a third of the latter remain open.
Hiking around and up the 800-meter mountain gives a chance to discover its waterfalls and varied plant and animal life - keep an eye out for monkeys! Located on the side of Shangfang Mountain, the Yunshui Caves are home to a mix of neon-lit Buddhas and Buddhist scenes set amongst a hundred millennia's worth of geological formations.
Keep an eye out for lifelike rock shapes, such as ones resembling mushrooms and tigers, as well as 18 naturally formed "monks." One cave is notable for sculptures laid out to depict the 18 layers of Buddhist hell in a Dantesque snapshot.
Bus: Take bus 917 from Tianqiao (near Tiantan Park) to Fangshan, then switch to a minibus. Be careful, though as there are apparently several different 917 buses, so make sure you get on the one that goes directly to Shangfang Shan.
Car: Take Jingshi Expressway to Fangshan, then drive west towards Zhoukoudian and then follow Zhanbei Lu. For the caves, pass Zhoukoudian heading towards Yunjusi, but turn north at the sign for Yunshui Caves. Approximate distance: 75km
RMB 40, RMB 28 (students)
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