Liugou Folk Village (柳沟民俗旅游度假区)

Liugou was once a battlefield during the Song and Liao Dynasties and remains of walls, gates and ancient temples can be found around the village. It’s said that in the early years of the village, standing on Mount Yanyu, Liugou was the shape of a phoenix stretching its wings – which is why Liugou is also called the “Phoenix Ancient City.”

In this village, there are over 100 households, and it is a large village in the countryside around Beijing. Liugou Village has been developed into a folk culture village offering the well-known “Tofu Feast” or “Bean Curd Banquet” and farmhouse Inn service for urban residents and oversea travelers. Almost all the households in the village specialize in hosting the Tofu Banquet.

Features: The village’s north gate exemplifies the style and features of this ancient village. The gate remains splendid, with well-bedded bricks and a wide opening through which cars can pass. The village also has many ruined temples. It’s said that there were 20 temples in the past, though only the three main halls of Chenghuang Miao (Town God’s Temple) remain. Walking around it, one can catch the fading colors of frescos on the walls. A well in the village also attracts attention. According to a signage plate, the well was built in the early years after liberation by the People’s Liberation Army. The wall inside the well is built from twisted wood, giving it its name: Panmu.

The well water is limpid and sweet, making it perfect for cooking tofu. It’s because of the deliciousness of its “tofu meal” that Liugou has gained its reputation. Hundreds of thousands of visitors go there every year for its tofu. The clay braziers to cook the tofu were originally used for warming one’s hands. Later, villagers came up with the idea of putting a casserole of tofu, noodles, cabbage and pork inside the pan. The tradition almost died out before the Liugou government brought it back for a folk tourism event in 2003. Villagers altered the size of the traditional brazier pot to cook for 10 people at a time. The launching of the “brazier pot, tofu meal” folk festival not only saved a tradition but also injected some much-needed cash flow into villagers’ hands. The village is about 90 kilometers from downtown Beijing and lies in the southeast of Yanqing District with the Great Wall section of Juyong Pass to its south and Badaling to its southwest.