Feast Your Eyes on Fall Foliage at These Scenic Beijing Parks

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Fragrant Hills

By far the most popular place to watch the changing of the leaves in Beijing, Fragrant Hills (香山 xiāngshān) can get quite busy in autumn (visit mid-week and early in the day to avoid the worst of the crowds) but that doesn't distract from its beauty. The area is blanketed in warm tones as the maple trees display various stages of reds and yellows in preparation for winter. Within the park there are also scenic areas such as Jingcui Lake, Heshun Gate, Fragrant Hill Temple, and Yuhua Villa. 

Baiwang Mountain Forest Park

Located a stone's throw from the Summer Palace, Baiwang Mountain Forest Park (百望山森林公园 bǎiwàng shān sēnlín gōngyuán) is probably the best alternative to Fragrant Hills in terms of convenience. Being heavily forested and boasting a variety of maple trees from the US and Holland, the park is described as a "natural oxygen bar" for its abundance of deciduous trees, turning it into a sea of red leaves in autumn. Also, with a moderate elevation of 220m, trekking to Baiwang Mountain is perfect for a relaxed weekend stroll.

Miaofeng Mountain

Located in Mentougou around 60km west of the city center, Miaofeng Mountain (妙峰山 miàofēng shān) is famed for its ancient temples and striking rock structures. The area has a very interesting religious history and was once considered the home of the area's many goddesses. Look out for the deep valleys, breathtaking views of the hills, and dramatic outcroppings of rocks.

Shengquan Mountain and Hongluo Temple

Home to the 1,000-year-old Hongluo (Red Snail) Temple (红螺寺 hóngluó sì), one of the largest Buddhist temples in northern China built during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420), Shengquan Mountain (胜犬山 shèngquǎn shān) is a special place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and tourists alike. Lying east of Mutianyu Great Wall, next to Yanshan Mountain and the Shahe River, the park attracts visitors not only for its Buddhist cultural heritage but also for the magnificent natural scenery. Visitors can stroll the tree-lined path leading to Hongluo or take the cable car up to Guanyin Temple, which offers panoramic views from the peak of Hongluo Mountain. Restaurants at the foot of the mountain serving fall-themed local delicacies are also a highlight.

Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (慕田峪长城 mùtiányù chángchéng) not only offers a less crowded and peaceful portion of the wall than Badaling, but it's also home to more than 280,000 species of trees, which fill the landscape with red, gold, and green leaves. We recommend skipping the cable-car lift and hiking up the steps to the wall, thereby giving you access to a quieter and more peaceful section. 

Badaling Forest Park

Beigong National Forest Park

Located in Fengtai District, Beigong National Forest Park (北宫国家森林公园 běigōng guójiā sēnlín gōngyuán) sprawls over 1,800 hectares with a lake, orchards, a 240m-high viewing platform, and several scenic spots. There’s also a bird-watching section fittingly titled the"100 Species of Birds Forest,” so remember to take your binoculars with you.

Mangshan National Forest Park

Located near the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District, the Mangshan National Forest Park (蟒山国家森林公园 mǎngshān guójiā sēnlín gōngyuán) is the largest forest in the capital at 82 square kilometers. The park has over 170 species of trees and flowers and is a popular hiking spot for tourists who are up for the challenge of climbing the 3,666 steps to the highest peak. The park also contains the largest stone-carved Buddha in North China. 

Peking and Tsinghua University Campuses

Finally, you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy autumn leaves; two of the most prestigious universities in China happen to have campuses filled with an array of sumptuous trees. The grounds offer a quiet sanctuary and can be easily combined with a jaunt to nearby Wudaokou or the Summer Palace.

Photos: Mafengwo, Trover, China.org, China Discovery, Visit Beijing, China Daily, Visit Beijing, Easy Tour China, Tsinghua University

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