Yougushentan Natural Scenic Area （幽谷神潭自然风景区）

Yougushentan (literally, "the Mystic Gorge and Ponds") Natural Scenic Area is located at the southern foot of Yunmeng Mountain National Forest Park, 25 kilometers northeast of Huairou district and 75 kilometers from downtown Beijing. Located among the green mountains and blue waters, the gorge and ponds are famous for their mystery, tranquility, and beauty, and the area has a reputation of being something akin to a natural oxygen bar. Owing to its wonderful scenery, the scenic area attracts numerous tourists from home and abroad every year. There are green mountains with soaring peaks, lofty cliffs, luxuriant trees and grass, dainty wildflowers, babbling streams, natural ponds and waterfalls. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, visitors enjoy not only extraordinary natural beauty, but also the calligraphy, seal cuttings and pictures that are engraved into the cliffs.

This scenic area has excellent service facilities. It is possible to taste delicious countryside snacks, barbecues and dine on rainbow trout when visiting. All kinds of entertainment activities are available, including karaoke, table tennis, chess, cards and the distinctive campfire parties during the evening. In summer, the recreation pools and swimming pools of running springs are ready for tourists. Each year the scenic area is closed from November to March of the following year.

Featured Attractions: The Flying Waterfall, standing a hundred feet tall, is divided into two tiers. The upper tier cascades down from a steep cliff, with the gushing spring water resembling a dragon emerging from the valley. The massive drop causes a thunderous roar as the water crashes onto the granite cliffs, creating a spectacular display of flying water droplets and mist. The water then spreads over the scales of the rock, forming a wide, graceful curtain of water that cascades down several meters.