True Colors: Where to See the Best of Beijing's Fall Foliage

There’s something spectacular about autumn in Beijing; golden light and highly contrasting splashes of red, gold, or orange against clear blue skies. You can snap some amazing photos this season at one of the following places. Be sure to bring snacks and water and wear proper walking shoes.

Badachu Park (also known as Eight Great Temples –八大处公园)
Located in the mountains south of the Xishan scenic spot, Badachu is well known for its eight ancient temples. This area was renovated in 1980 and has since been a tourist favorite for seasonal changes, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in fall. There’s a cable car available for RMB 60, however those climbing on foot will see shrines and temples that can’t really be experienced from the air. 

RMB 10. Daily 6am-7pm (summer), 6am-6pm (winter). Badachu Lu, Shijingshan District (8896 4661) www.badachu.com.cn
石景山区八大处路
Best time to go: Mid-October to mid-November

Fragrant Hills Park 香山公园
This overcrowded tourist attraction hosts the Fragrant Hills Red Leaves Festival from mid-October to early-November. Visit mid-week and early in the day to avoid the worst of the crowds. An explosion of warm tones blankets the area as the numerous maple trees progress through the different stages of changing color. Try to check out Jingcui Lake, Heshun Gate, Fragrant Hill Temple, and Yuhua Villa. 

RMB 5 (Nov 1 to Mar 31), RMB 10 (Apr 1 to 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
Best time to go: Mid-October to mid-November

Mangshan National Forest Park 蟒山国家森林公园
A tourist favorite because of the 3,666 steps to get to the highest peak, this sprawling 8,200 hectare park has over 170 trees and flowers. The largest forest park in the capital, it’s nestled near the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District. The park also contains the largest stone-carved Buddha in northern 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  
Best time to go: Mid-October to late November

Beigong National Forest Park 北宫国家森林公园
A bird-watching haven, this 1,800 hectare park has a section called “100 Species of Bird” and is a worthy option for viewing the changing season. It’s located in Fengtai District and features a lake, a fruit orchard, a 240m-high viewing platform, and several scenic spots. 

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
Best time to go: Early October to mid-November

Badaling National Forest Park 八达岭森林公园 
This highly popular destination near the Great Wall Section has more than 50,000 maple trees over 56 hectares. Droves of people attend the Red Festival each fall. 

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
Best time to go: Late September to late October
 

Baiwangshan 百望山 
Baiwangshan is covered with maple trees from the US and Holland. There are two main sightseeing points: the Friendship Pavilion and Langfeng Pavilion. The Friendship Pavilion is accessible through a flat walking path surrounded by trees. The Lanfeng Pavilion offers a panoramic view from the top of the mountain. 

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）
Best time to go: Mid-October to mid-November

Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
The less crowded restored section at Mutianyu offers a much nicer alternative to Badaling Great Wall. Nearly 75km northeast of the CBD, the area offers more than 280,000 species of trees, and is unsurpassed for viewing a variety of different colors and shapes of leaves. 

RMB 45/adult, RMB 25/child 12 and under. 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

Best time to go: Mid-October to late November

Hongluo Temple 红螺寺
The location of northern China’s largest Buddhist temples, Hongluo offers tree-lined paths leading up the mountain or a panoramic view from the peak via the cable car to Guanyin Temple.  

RMB 54. Cable car RMB 60 (roundtrip), RMB 40 (one-way). 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
Best time to go: Late October to late November

Peking and Tsinghua University Campuses
Two of China’s most prestigious universities present a sea of red, gold, and orange foliage, and a quieter location for a family trip. This is one for the weekends as weekdays see both campuses bustling with students. Make a day out of it by taking in 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

Best time to go: Mid-October to late November

Miaofeng Mountian 妙峰山 
The home of goddesses, Miaofeng Mountain is home to ancient temples, summer roses, and the rock formations that have made this area famous. Look out for deep valleys, breathtaking views of the hills, and dramatic rock outcroppings. 

RMB 30. Daily 7am-6pm (summer), 8am-5pm (winter). Miaofengshan Township, Mentougou District (6188 2936)
门头沟区妙峰山镇
Best time to go: Early October to early November
 
This article originally appeared in our sister publication beijingkids.

Photo: naturepictures.ru, Kanegen (Flickr)