On Your Hike! Treks Around Beijing

If you’re stuck in Beijing this October holiday, why not take advantage of the mild weather and time off work to explore some of what’s around Beijing? Keep yourself in shape with a walk around one of the following outdoor spots.

Fenghuang Ling (Phoenix Mountain) Nature Park
Regarded as a “green lung” for the capital, Fenghuang Ling is also known as the “little Huangshan.” The park covers 15 square kilometers and has jagged peaks, vast forests and springs. It’s an ideal place for autumn fruit tasting, and also offers sights including numerous ruins and Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian sites. RMB 25 (Apr 1-Oct 31), RMB 15 (Nov 1-Mar 31). RMB 13 (ages over 60), free (ages over 70, children under 1.2m tall). Daily 6am-6pm. Fenghuang Ling Nature Park. Inside Xishan Nongchang, 19 Fenghuang Ling Lu, Sujiatuo Zhen, Haidian District. (6245 5933/6245 9492) 凤凰岭风景区, 海淀区苏家坨镇凤凰岭路19号（西山农场内）
Bus: Take Bus 346 from Summer Palace directly to Fenghuang Ling Nature Park.
Approx distance: 33km

Hongluo Si
Widely considered the birthplace of Buddhism in northern China, Hongluo Si is also the largest ancient temple in Beijing. Among the trees here, you’ll find royal bamboo, ginkgo and wisteria. RMB 40, half price (students, pensioners). Daily 8.30am-5.30pm. Hongluo Si. 2 Hongluo Donglu, Huairou District. (6068 1175) 红螺寺, 怀柔区红螺东路2号
Bus: From Dongzhimen Bus Station, take direct Bus 936 (from 7am-5pm, every 30 minutes).
Approx distance: 50km

Jiankou Great Wall
This is equally the most precarious and most magnificent section of the Ming dynasty Great Wall. It’s rugged and unrestored, which makes climbing difficult in places. The bird’s-eye views are your reward if you can manage to clamber up. Not surprisingly, Jiankou is a hot spot for photographers. Jiankou Great Wall. Bohai Zhen, Huairou District (10 miles west of Mutianyu Great Wall). 箭扣长城, 怀柔区渤海镇 (慕田峪长城以西10公里)
Bus: Take Bus 916 from Dongzhimen Bus Station to Huairou Fangshan, then catch a bus to Jiankou.
Approx distance: 90km

Jinhai Hu
Broad waters surrounded by beautiful mountains, with pavilions dotted all around. Jinhai is famous for its colorful aquatic entertainment shows, annual kite festival, dragon boat races and natural resorts. RMB 28 (half price for students and pensioners). Daily 8am-5pm. Jinhai Hu. Jinhaihu Scenic Area, Pinggu District. (6999 1356/6999 3943) 金海湖, 平谷区金海湖风景名胜区
Bus: Take Bus 918 from Dongzhimen to Pinggu Lu Interchange 9 to Jinhai Hu.
Approx distance: 80km

Labagoumen Primeval Forest
The largest natural forest in Beijing. Foliage experts may even find it hard to name a few of the species you’ll find here. It’s home to many wild animals and is a great place to escape city life. The best time to visit is from late September to early October, when the leaves turn a fiery red. RMB 15. Daily 7am-5pm. Labagoumen. Huairou District. (6062 7640) 喇叭沟门, 怀柔区
Bus: Take Express Bus 916 from Dongzhimen and get off at Yangjiayuan, then catch Feeder Bus 936 zhi to Tanghekou. Then take a bus to Sunzaizi Village and catch a taxi to Labagoumen.
Approx distance: 160km

Mangshan National Forest Park
Mangshan features a mix of mountainous natural beauty, Buddhist sites and thousands upon thousands of steps to hike up. RMB 20. Daily 8am-5pm. Mangshan National Forest Park. East of Ming Tombs Reservoir, Changping District. (6071 1866) 蟒山森林公园, 昌平区十三陵水库东侧
Bus: Take Bus 925 from Deshengmen directly to Mangshan.
Approx distance: 35km

Miaofengshan
Famous for its old temples and peculiar rocks, Miaofengshan was traditionally one of the most important pilgrimage sites in northern China. RMB 40 (half price for students and pensioners). Daily 7am-6pm. Miaofengshan. North of Xiangjiangou Cun, Mentougou District. (6188 2936) 妙峰山, 门头沟区北部乡涧沟村北
Bus: From Pingguoyuan subway station, take Bus 929 (once a day, 8.30am) directly to Miaofengshan.
Approx distance: 55km

Yesanpo National Geological Park
Yesanpo features 72 “scenic spots” across 600 square kilometers. RMB 90. Daily 7am to 6pm. Yesanpo National Geological Park. Yesanpo Cun, Hebei province. (0312 456 3519/456 8303) 野三坡国家地质公园, 河北野三坡村
Train: Take train 6095 from Beijing West Train Station to Gougezhuang (runs 6.20am to 9.50pm); return on train 6438 (runs 8.35am to 12.30pm) or train 6096 (runs 6.30pm to 9.40pm).
Approx distance: 150km