Overview

Even though these magical mountains tower 93 miles north of Tianjin every tourist information center still rates them as one of the area's, if not the world's, greatest sites. Five main mountains are the dominant feature, highlighted by Moon Hanging Peak, a sheer wall of vertigo-inducing rock. Thick pine forests, echoing ravines, tumbling waterfalls and 72 ancient temples and pagodas provide the ultimate backdrop for hiking. Summer's wildflower season and fall's color show are the prime time awe-and-gasp periods. Two trains run daily from Tianjin.