Qicai Forest Scenic Area is located in Datan Town, Fengning Manchu Autonomous County, Chengde City, Hebei Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a comprehensive scenic area planned and built according to national 5A-level standards in the Bashang Grassland region. The scenic area covers about 20,000 mu (roughly 3,300 acres) and lies in the transitional zone between the Inner Mongolia Plateau and the North China Plain, at an elevation of about 1,500 meters. Its core feature is the integration of diverse natural landscapes such as grasslands, forests, lakes, and hills. The forest coverage rate is as high as 80%. As the seasons change, the forest vegetation displays rich colors such as green, yellow, red, and orange, which is how “Seven-Color Forest” got its name. The scenic area is divided into two main parts: the Manchu Culture Park and the Ecological Leisure Area. It has facilities such as sightseeing buses, a glass walkway, and a forest train. Among them, Footsteps Above the Treetops (Glass Sky Bridge) is about 300 meters long, 2.6 meters wide, and about 12 meters above the ground. The total length of the wooden boardwalks in the scenic area is about 5 kilometers, connecting the main attractions. With Manchu culture as its core, it combines sightseeing, folk experience, and leisure vacation functions, making it a highly representative natural and cultural scenic area in the Bashang region.
History and Culture
This is one of the areas inhabited by the Manchu people and carries a profound Manchu cultural heritage. Manchu culture developed here over hundreds of years, from early hunting and nomadic culture to integration with Han and other ethnic cultures, forming a unique regional cultural system.
It was once an important part of the “Mulan Weichang” (Mulan Hunting Grounds) in the Qing Dynasty. Emperors such as Kangxi and Qianlong held the Autumn Hunting Ceremony here, trained Eight Banners soldiers, and received Mongol princes and nobles, witnessing the history of ethnic unity embodied by “training troops and pacifying frontier vassals.”
The scenic area deeply explores local Manchu cultural resources. Through the Manchu Culture Exhibition Hall, live performances, and folk experiences, it presents Manchu historical stories, traditional rituals (such as Shamanic sacrifices), traditional handicrafts (such as paper-cutting and embroidery), and distinctive food culture to visitors. For example, the scenic area has restored some traditional Manchu architectural styles. During festivals, it holds Manchu wedding performances, horse racing, and other activities, allowing visitors to directly experience the charm of Manchu culture and helping traditional ethnic culture be inherited and carried forward through tourism development.
Main Attractions
Manchu Culture Exhibition Hall
The Manchu Culture Exhibition Hall is the core area for displaying Manchu history and folk customs. It has seven sub-exhibition areas with a total area of about 800 square meters. Through cultural relics displays, illustrated introductions, and scene restorations, the hall systematically presents the origin and development of the Manchu people, traditional clothing (such as qipao and magua), living environment (such as pocket-style houses and wanzi kang heated brick beds), food features (such as saqima and niandoubao), and festival customs (such as the Banjin Festival), providing visitors with a window to understand Manchu culture in depth.
Five-Color Pools
Five-Color Pools is the collective name for a series of natural lakes in the scenic area, formed by multiple lakes of different sizes connected together, with a total area of about 5,000 square meters. The lakes are surrounded by birch and larch forests. The water appears in varied colors due to reflections of surrounding vegetation and differences in mineral content. Especially in autumn, golden leaves and blue lake water contrast beautifully. A wooden boardwalk about 800 meters long runs along the lake for visitors to enjoy the scenery.
Glass Sky Bridge
Spanning above the forest, the bridge is about 300 meters long, 2.6 meters wide, and about 12 meters above the ground. The deck is made of double-layer laminated tempered glass, with a load-bearing capacity of up to 800 kilograms per square meter. Walking on it, visitors can overlook forest meadows and look up at blue skies and white clouds from a perspective level with the treetops. On both sides are dense birch and pine forests. It offers both the excitement of a glass walkway and the tranquility of being immersed in nature. The whole visit takes about 20 minutes.
Tianjing Lake
Tianjing Lake is a man-made scenic lake with an area of about 3,000 square meters. Its surface is calm like a mirror and clearly reflects the sky and surrounding trees. Along the lake are a wooden boardwalk about 500 meters long, three viewing platforms, and photo-check-in facilities such as internet-famous water beds. In spring, wildflowers bloom by the lake; in summer, trees provide shade; in autumn, the layered forests are fully colored. It is an excellent place for photographing lake reflections and natural scenery.
Forest Ranch
Forest Ranch is a key area for family trips. It covers about 100 mu (roughly 16.5 acres) and is home to free-range sika deer, camels, goats, and other animals. Visitors can feed and interact with them up close. The ranch has a children’s play area, including a 70-degree squirrel-themed slide, swings, and other facilities. The slide is about 20 meters long and suitable for children aged 3–12. Large lawns around the ranch are suitable for picnics, kite flying, and other activities, full of natural rustic fun.
Cloud Pavilion
Cloud Pavilion is located at the top of a hill at an elevation of about 1,800 meters, with about 516 steps along the path. It is a wooden structure about 6 meters high and covers about 20 square meters. After reaching the top, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the scenic area, taking in the distant grasslands and nearby forests. On clear days, mountains dozens of kilometers away can be seen. It is named “Cloud Pavilion” because it is often surrounded by mist and clouds.
Jungle Tribe
This is a popular check-in spot after visitors enter the scenic area. As soon as they step in, they can see various small amusement facilities distributed on the green grass, with glass walkways, jungle adventures, slides, and more scattered among them. Beside it, a slightly curved “horse trail” winds through a dense larch area. Visitors can ride horses and stroll leisurely under the guidance of the horse owner. On the left, a wooden boardwalk leads straight up toward the clouds to Cloud Pavilion at an elevation of about 1,800 meters. After climbing 516 steps, tens of thousands of mu of forest and hilly grasslands come into full view, and Tianjing Lake can also be faintly seen, bringing a magnificent experience that makes the surrounding hills seem small.
Mushroom Street
Mushroom Street is a distinctive path themed on the mushrooms abundant in the forest. There are oversized mushroom sculptures, imaginative flower and plant shapes, and mushroom-shaped amusement projects. Visitors feel as if they have traveled into a microscopic world and are placed in a dreamlike fairy-tale kingdom.
Suggested Tour Route：
After entering the scenic area, visitors can first take the sightseeing bus (about 5 kilometers in total, 15 minutes) to the Manchu Culture Exhibition Hall and spend about 1 hour visiting to learn about Manchu culture. Then go to Forest Ranch to interact with animals and experience the children’s facilities, which takes about 1.5 hours. Next, follow the wooden boardwalk to Five-Color Pools and stroll for about 1 hour. After that, walk to Footsteps Above the Treetops and experience the Glass Sky Bridge for about 30 minutes. Then go to Tianjing Lake for photos and check-ins, taking about 40 minutes. Finally, choose to walk back to the entrance (about 3 kilometers, 1 hour) or take the sightseeing bus. The total tour time is about 5–6 hours. If you want to save energy, you can reduce walking sections and take the sightseeing bus more, making the total about 4 hours. It is recommended to enter the scenic area before 9 a.m. to avoid the afternoon crowd peak.
Travel Tips：
The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is large. Even in summer (average temperature around 16°C), a light jacket is needed. In autumn (8–15°C), prepare a sweater or outdoor jacket.
The best seasons to visit are June–August (for escaping the summer heat) and September–October (for autumn scenery). In June–August, the grasslands are green and the forests dense; in September–October, the leaves display colorful hues.
The trails in the scenic area are long. Comfortable sports shoes are recommended, with about 5–8 kilometers of walking per day.
You can bring a small amount of snacks and drinking water. Food outlets in the scenic area are mainly near the entrance and Forest Ranch, with per-person spending of about 30–50 yuan.
In summer, take sun protection measures (UV is strong) and mosquito prevention. You can bring sunscreen (SPF30 ) and mosquito repellent.
If you want to take beautiful photos, bringing a camera is recommended. In autumn, light before 10 a.m. is suitable; in summer, evening light is suitable.
During holidays (such as summer vacation and National Day), there are folk performances. Check the scenic area’s official website in advance for activity times and arrange your itinerary reasonably.
Precautions：
The Glass Sky Bridge (Footsteps Above the Treetops) prohibits sharp objects. Running, jumping, or leaning on the railings on the bridge is strictly forbidden. The maximum number of people at one time is no more than 200. Please follow staff instructions.
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the forest. Picking flowers and plants or harming wild animals is strictly forbidden. The scenic area has multiple waste sorting and recycling points.
When climbing to Cloud Pavilion, some sections are steep. Pay attention to foot safety. It is recommended to go with companions. Elderly people and children should be accompanied.
Mobile phone signal is weak in some areas of the scenic area. Keep in contact with your companions and avoid acting alone. You can get a paper map at the entrance.
If participating in paid activities such as horseback riding (about 100 yuan per hour), choose official operating points in the scenic area, follow the instructor’s guidance, and wear safety equipment.
In winter (November to March of the following year), some paths may freeze. The scenic area may close some attractions at appropriate times. Before traveling, it is recommended to ask in advance about opening conditions.
Transportation：
By car: From Beijing, drive along the Jingcheng Expressway and Daguang Expressway, exit at Datan Town, then follow signs for about 5 kilometers to the scenic area. The total distance is about 280 kilometers, about 4 hours by car. From Chengde urban area, drive along the Daguang Expressway and Capital Ring Expressway. The total distance is about 220 kilometers, about 3.5 hours by car.
Tourist shuttle: Dongzhimen Bus Station in Beijing has a direct tourist shuttle to Fengning Datan Town. It departs once daily at 7 a.m., takes about 5 hours, and costs about 100 yuan. After arriving in Datan Town, you can take a taxi (about 10 yuan) to the scenic area.
Internal transportation: The scenic area has sightseeing buses. An all-route pass is 50 yuan per person. Visitors can get on and off at stops at various attractions. Operating hours are the same as the scenic area’s opening hours.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area’s opening hours are adjusted according to the season. Peak season (June 1–October 7) is 7:30–18:00, with last entry at 16:00. Off-season (October 8–May 31 of the following year) is 8:30–17:00, with last entry at 15:00. From December to February of the following year, some attractions (such as the Glass Sky Bridge and Forest Ranch) may temporarily close due to weather. Please refer to the scenic area’s official notices.
Tickets：
As of August 16, 2025, the ticket price is 118 yuan per person.