Mentougou: Ancient Paths, Ceramic Art and Culture

If you are looking for a hotel in Mentougou, its varied cultural and scenic themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip. The three themes are clearly distinct: Jingxi Ancient Road combines ancient paths with caravan culture, Dingdu Peak offers two routes of different lengths, and Liuliqu is known for its glazing craft.

Ancient Paths and Views

The Jingxi Ancient Road scenic area is located in Shuizui Village, Miaofengshan Town, and covers 1.5 square kilometers. A 1,500-meter section of the ancient road has been largely preserved within the village area. Those interested in its history can explore topics such as the road’s development, past repairs, its functions, and associated customs at the Folk Customs Museum. In the scenic area, you can also try a regional horse-caravan banquet and learn about caravan culture.

Dingdu Peak lies north of Sangyu Village in Tanzhesi Town. The scenic area covers 2,700 mu and combines sightseeing, recreation, and wellness retreats. For planning your route, the difference in length offers a specific point of reference: the eastern route is about three kilometers long, while the western route is about 4.5 kilometers. Dajuntai, Xiaojuntai, and Wangjingtai are among the sites along the eastern route; the western route passes Wangshitai and Guanghui Temple. From Dingdu Pavilion, the view stretches eastward across Beijing, taking in Chang’an Avenue, the TV Tower, the Guomao area, Yintai Center, and the new headquarters of China Central Television.

Glazing Craft in Liuliqu

Liuliqu is in Longquan Town and has been designated a “Chinese Famous Historical and Cultural Village.” It is home to the Liuliqu Scenic Area, the well-preserved Royal Glazed-Tile Museum, the Sanguan Pavilion Gate Tower, and the Guandi Temple. An exhibit focuses on the technique of firing glazed tiles, which is recognized as intangible cultural heritage.

The “古道拾遗” route, introduced in June 2024, brought together several sites featuring natural and cultural heritage as well as intangible cultural heritage projects; Liuliqu was one of its stops. At Jin'yu Liuli Culture Creative Industrial Park, visitors could make their own glazed piece as part of the described heritage experience, photograph an exhibition of contemporary glazed art, and create a glazed product. Jingbaili pears were also mentioned as something to sample along the route. This combination of craft, historic buildings, and regional experiences distinguishes Liuliqu from the scenic highlights of Jingxi Ancient Road and Dingdu Peak.

Ceramic History at the Museum

The exhibition “西山窑火，千年釉彩——北京龙泉务窑陶瓷展” opened at the Yongding River Culture Museum on March 18, 2025. It featured more than 300 ceramic works. To illustrate a historical kiln scene, it included a kiln bed, a fire opening, and a ventilation opening. Visitors could also experience stages of ceramic production: preparing clay, shaping blanks, and drying them. At the exhibition, visitors could choose a vessel shape, pattern, and glaze color, create a personalized “龙泉务窑陶瓷,” and generate a digital collectible.

Dongxinfang also offers a historical perspective. The area is credited with a thousand-year history of coal mining: mining is said to have begun during the Liao period, gained importance during the Yuan period, and played a particularly significant role during the Ming and Qing periods. The Yuhe Ancient Road, a well-known trade route in western Beijing and, at the time, a necessary route for transporting coal to the capital, ran through the area.

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