Autumn is here and brings with it several things to the city. Colder temperatures and wacky Halloween costumes, but also a chance to catch the foliage as trees light up in yellow and red. One of Beijing’s best known spots to catch the colorful foliage is around the Fragrant Hills, near the northwest corner of the Fifth Ring Road.
The Red Leaf Festival – not really a festival, just a fancy name for leaves changing to red – began last week and continues through the beginning of November. About a quarter of the trees have already changed, but an official quoted in the Global Times this week said the “colors would not peak until the end of this month.” If an official says it, it must be true.
Fragrant Hills does come with a disclaimer – like most parks and tourist areas around the city. Last year we checked the place out ourselves and came back with mixed feelings. If you can, go during the week rather than a weekend. And those that have experienced and love the striking North American foliage shouldn’t expect quite the same showing in Beijing.
Those looking for other options can try heading to Badaling National Forest Park. The park offers some of the earliest foliage and a bit more breathing room for those wanting to get a bit further out of the city. The Global Times also supplies a list of various outdoor activities from biking, to rock climbing, and fishing to get in before autumn breezes past.
Fragrant Hills Park. Xiangshan, Haidian District. 香山公园, 海淀区香山 (6259 1155)
Cost.
Until November 15: 6am-6:30pm, RMB 10.
Nov. 15-Mar 31: 6am-6pm, RMB 5.
Cableway: RMB 50 (weekdays)/RMB 60 (weekends)/RMB 20 (children).
Getting There.
By Bus: Take 714 from Fuchengmen, 318 from Pingguoyuan, 331 from Xinjiekou, 360快 (kuai “fast”) from Dongwuyuan, or 904 from Xizhimen directly to Fragrant Hills.
By Car: Take West Fourth Ring Road and exit at Sihai Qiao (四海桥). Head NW and take Beiwucun Lu (北塢村路) or Minzhuang Lu(闵庄路) to Xiangshan Roundabout and follow signs. App. Distance 19.5km
Want to stay?
Fragrant Hills Hotel. Inside Fragrant Hills Park, Haidian. 北京海淀区香山公园内 (6259 1166)
Niu Bi makes a good point.
It's very well worth a visit, but you really need a car if you want to avoid what could be major inconvenience.
It's a huge park, and I've been out there even on pretty crowded days and still managed to find pockets of peaceful solitude.
WARNING: China Foreign Teachers' Union (CFTU) is a scam run by a convicted felon. UPDATE: He's now calling it China Teacher's Alliance. Still a scam.
tiantan has some nice foliage if you don't want to brave so much traffic (crunchy fallen leaf piles were a real treat for my daughter, who's never seen so much of them before).
of course you have to wander away from the somewhat charming but ultimately irritating elderly park-goers with badly amplified boom-boxes and crappy microphones, neatly eliminating the peace and quiet of a park
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