Feast Your Eyes on Fall Foliage at These Beijing Mountain Parks
The period from mid-October to mid-November is widely acknowledged to be the most pleasant season in Beijing, with a temperate climate that’s ideal for heading into nature for a stroll among the trees, and feasting your eyes on the spectacular autumn hues.
Forget about the tourist-jammed Fragrant Hills, and check out our selection of several lesser-known forest parks located in the suburbs of Beijing, for some outdoor fun.
Baiwang Mountain Forest Park 百望山
Located 3 kilometers from the Summer Palace, Baiwang Mountain is probably the best alternative to Fragrant Hills for its convenient location. Being heavily forested, the park is described as a “natural oxygen bar”, and is lush with an abundance of deciduous trees, which turns it into a sea of red leaves in autumn. Also, with a mellow elevation of 220m, trekking to Baiwang Mountain posts less challenge for a trip with kids.
Daily 6am-7pm. RMB 6.
19 Heishanhu Beikou, Haidian District
百望山森林公园（海淀区黑山扈北口19号）
Miaofeng Mountain 妙峰山
Located 55km from the downtown area, Miaofeng Mountain is home to an ancient temple complex consisting of 14 temples, and is especially well-known for the annual temple fair lasting for 15 days, a tradition which has been passed down since the Chongzhen Period of the Qing Dynasty (1627-1644). Over 95 percent of the mountain is forested, with a rose garden covering more than 60 hectares.
Daily 8am-5pm. RMB 40.
002 County Railway, Mentougou District
妙峰山 门头沟区002县道
Shengquan Mountain 圣泉山
Home to the thousand-year-old Hongluo Temple, Shengquan Mountain is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lying east of Mutianyu Great Wall, next to Yanshan Mountain and Shahe River, the 15-square-kilometer Shengquan Mountain attracts visitors not only for its Buddhist cultural heritage, but also for the magnificent natural scenery. Restaurants at the foot of the mountain serving fall-themed local delicacies are a highlight of any visit there.
Daily 8am-5.30pm. RMB 35.
50 meters north of Huaihuang Railway, Huairou District
圣泉山 山野公园（怀柔区怀黄公路北50米）
This article originally appeared on our sister account beijingkids.
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Photos: Mafengwo.cn, China.com.cn
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