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 feast your eyes on the spectacular autumn hues.
Check out our selection of the best parks and forests located in the suburbs of Beijing for some wholesome outdoor fun.
Fragrant Hills 香山
By far the most popular place to watch the changing of the leaves in Beijing, Fragrant Hills 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.
RMB 5 (Nov 1-Mar 31), RMB 10 (Apr 1-Oct 31). Daily 6am-6.30pm. 40 Maimaijie, Haidian District, Beijing (6259 1155, www.xiangshanpark.com)
北京市海淀区买卖街40号
Baiwang Mountain Forest Park 百望山森林公园
Located a stone’s throw from the Summer Palace, Baiwang Mountain 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.
RMB 6. Daily 8am-5pm. 19 Heihu Beikou, Haidian District (6288 4508, 6287 7730)
海淀区黑山扈北口19号（近颐和园）
Miaofeng Mountain 妙峰山
Located in Mentougou around 60km west of the city center, Miaofengshan 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.
RMB 30. Daily 7am-6pm (summer), 8am-5pm (winter). Miaofengshan Township, Mentougou District (6188 2936)
门头沟区妙峰山镇
Shengquan Mountain and Hongluo Temple 圣泉山和红螺寺
Home to the 1,000-year-old Hongluo (Red Snail) Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in northern China built during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420), Shengquan Mountain 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 serve fall-themed local delicacies are also a highlight.
RMB 35. Cable car: RMB 60 (round-trip), RMB 40 (one-way). Daily 8am-5.30pm. Daily 8am-5.30pm (summer), 8am-4.30pm (winter). 2 Hongluo Donglu, Hongluoshan, Yanxi Town, Huairou District (6068 1175, www.hongluosi.com)
怀柔区雁栖镇红螺山下红螺东路2号
Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall 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.
RMB 45. Daily 7.30am-5.30pm (Nov-Mar), 7am-6pm (Apr-Oct). Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District (6162 6505, 6162 6022)
怀柔区渤海镇慕田峪村
Badaling Forest Park 八达岭森林公园
Located near the aforementioned Great Wall section of the same name, Badaling National Forest Park covers 56 hectares and contains more than 50,000 maple trees. Every autumn, the “Red Festival” attracts visitors looking to take in the resplendent fall foliage.
RMB 45. Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-5.30pm (summer), daily 9am-4pm (winter). South across the highway from Badaling Great Wall Center, Yanqing County (6912 1842/2591)
延庆县八达岭长城南
Beigong National Forest Park 北宫国家森林公园
Located in Fengtai District, this park 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.
RMB 10. Daily 6.30am-8pm (Apr 1-Nov 30), 7am-5pm (Dec 1-Mar 31). 55 Dahuiguang Donglu, Changxindian Town, Fengtai District (8384 0830)
丰台区长辛店镇大灰厂东路55号
Mangshan National Forest Park 蟒山国家森林公园
Located near the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District, Mangshan 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.
RMB 20 (adults), RMB 10 (students and seniors). Daily 8am-5pm. 2 Mangshan Lu, Changping District (6071 1866, www.msforestpark.com/lianxi.asp)
昌平区蟒山路2号
Peking and Tsinghua University Campuses 北京和清华大学
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.
Peking University (Beida) 北京大学
Free. 8am-9pm. 5 Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District (6275 1230/1, www.pku.edu.cn)
海淀区颐和园路5号
Tsinghua University 清华大学
Free. 8am-9am. Chengfu Lu, Haidian District (6278 9437, 8286 3785, www.tsinghua.edu.cn)
海淀区成府路
READ: Why Autumn Is the Perfect Season for Spotting Our Feathered Friends
Photos: Mafengwo, Trover, China.org, China Discovery, Visit Beijing, China Daily, Visit Beijing, Easy Tour China, Tsinghua University
