Summer is over, but there’s no reason to be upset as that means autumn is upon us, arguably the best season of the year.

Beijing’s autumn is notoriously short, so parks around the city fill up fast with people coming to see the season’s spectacle – a show of changing colours as the trees turn from crisp green to deep red. There are plenty of places in the city center to catch the golden Gingko leaves, but I’m heading just outside of the fifth ring road to see the season on a larger scale.

Despite parks like Xiangshan getting so busy you need tickets a week in advance, there are still areas lesser-known and frequented by the Beijing crowds, and Baiwangshan, or Baiwang Mountain Forest Park, is one such place. Situation 3km from the Summer Palace to the city’s North West, it costs 6rmb to enter and offers hiking trails and beautiful views of the city and surrounding forests.

Several parks around the city are now putting on their very own natural display, and due to an unexpectantly warm October, the season may last a few more weeks! If you live in Beijing, get out and see the changing season and enjoy nature while you can. It’s closer than you think.