In the early summer of 2016, the nicest place to visit in Beijing is the Fragrant Hills Park. Why is it the nicest place in Beijing during the autumn season? After getting off at the bus station, you need to walk a few minutes up a mountain path to the the east gate of the park. It’s been 800 years since the establishment of the park. During the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, imperial palaces were constructed in this area. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty built pavilions and other attached buildings, and the emperor named the palace “Jingyi Garden”, among the Three Mountains and Five Gardens in the west of Beijing.

Nowadays we seem to have no idea about Jingyi Garden but must be familiar with the Fragrant Hills, which serves as a place for a good rest for Beijngers. The most amazing view of the Fragrant Hills is nothing but the red leaves of November and December. Legend says that the dragon robes of the emperors were dyed by the pigment of yellow leaves of the hills. In late autumn, tens of thousands of tourists visit the park every day and this is one of the hottest spots in Beijing during this season.

Not only can you climb the hills in the park, but you can also tour the ancient temples: Biyun Temple, Zongjing Dazhao Temple and Shuangqing Villa where China’s first chairman ever lived here for many years.

However, the highest peak is only 557 meters high. For mountain climbers, this is not a difficult task but it is an amazing land to enjoy beautiful scenery. In addition, cable cars can also be found here too. There are rockeries in the garden, but the streams here also attract numerous tourists. The Fragrant Hills Park is among the top 10 gardens in Beijing.

There are also 260,000 trees of different species in the park, and some of them are already hundreds of years old. The afforestation of the park looks quite good. Moreover, traveling to the park, you can also spot one squirrel or two scampering in the trees.

Incense Tripod Peak, the symbol of the Fragrant Hills

Standing on top of the hills, you can watch the faraway beautiful scenery. Seeing from this spot, you may think the Summer Palace seems to be located at the foot of the Fragrant Hills.

The highest building in the faraway place is the Beijing TV Tower.

Admission: peak season: 15 RMB; off-peak season: 10 RMB

Getting there: Get on Bus No. 318, 331, 634, 696 or 698 and get off at East Gate of the Fragrant Hills.