Miaofeng Mountain - Beijing's First Immortal Mountain.

Miaofeng Mountain is located in the northern part of Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District, Beijing, 35 kilometers southeast of the city center. It borders Nanshan Mountain of Changping District to the north and Haidian District to the east, with the Dongdatuo (Yangshan) mountain ridge as the boundary. It covers an area of 20 square kilometers. The main peak of Miaofeng Mountain reaches an altitude of 1291 meters, towering above the peaks of the "Little Western Hills" and being the closest mountain over 1000 meters above sea level to Beijing. Miaofeng Mountain is known for its beautiful and precipitous scenery, lush vegetation, clear springs and waterfalls, and the fragrance of flowers and butterflies, earning it the title of "Beijing's First Immortal Mountain." This area boasts seasonal scenic wonders such as sunrises, sunsets, rime ice, and mirages; natural landscapes including uniquely shaped pines, strange rocks, flowing springs, and secluded caves; thousands of acres of roses and hundreds of acres of meadows; and ancient temples perched atop the mountain, with incense stalls, tea houses, and numerous cultural relics scattered like stars. It is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich scenic spots in the Beijing area. The renowned Huiji Temple (Bixia Yuanjun Niangniang Temple), built by imperial decree, is the main building on the mountain. Built into the slope, its red walls and yellow tiles are nestled among ancient pines and green trees, giving it a sacred and mysterious feel. The 14 halls enshrine various deities and gods from Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and folk beliefs, satisfying the spiritual needs of people from all walks of life. Historically, during temple fairs, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visited, making it the largest temple fair in North China. The Miaofeng Mountain Traditional Temple Fair originated in the Ming Dynasty. Every year from the first to the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month, hundreds of thousands of devout pilgrims flock to Miaofeng Mountain, from nearby Beijing and Tianjin to as far away as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Southeast Asia, to offer incense at the summit. Hundreds of folk performances and celebrations are held to thank the gods, and porridge and tea are distributed. The spectacle and the devotion of the believers are truly rare. Fucha Dunchong of the Qing Dynasty wrote in "Yanjing Suishi Ji" (Records of the Seasons in Yanjing): "Every year in April, the temple fair at Miaofeng Mountain opens on the first day of the month and lasts for half a month. The incense is extremely prosperous, the people are densely packed, and the carriages and horses are noisy. The lights at night are so bright that they resemble a brothel. The incense offerings are truly unparalleled in the world."