As October draws to a close and late autumn arrives, it’s the best time to enjoy the leaves in Beijing. Let’s find a place to enjoy the beauty of autumn by strolling among the fiery maple forests.

Beijing Fenghuangling

Located in the northwestern part of the Haidian District, Beijing Fenghuangling is known as the "green lung of the capital". The scenic area is characterized by rolling hills, strange rocks, and a combination of humanistic and natural landscapes, which together form more than 40 attractions in the north, middle, and south.

The colorful foliage in the scenic area has entered its best viewing period, with a color change rate of around 75% at present and is expected to last until around mid-November.

The small park inside the East Gate, the North Line Trail, the North Line Yijing Pool, near the Tianti Pavilion and the large block of land are all better locations for viewing the leaves.

Address: 19 Fenghuangling Road, Sujiatuo Town, Haidian District, Beijing

Shengquan Mountain

Located 6 kilometres from Huairou, Shengquan Mountain is close to the ancient Hongluo Temple in the east, Mutianyu Great Wall in the west, Yanshan Mountain in the back and the Huaisha River in the front.

With an altitude difference of 288 meters and an average slope of trail is 25 degrees, it is suitable for hiking and fitness. From the Bell and Drum Tower to the Guanyin Temple, you can stroll on the road to enjoy the lush pine and cypress trees, birds singing and fresh air.

The coloured leaves on Shengquan Mountain have entered their best viewing period. More than 10 species of colored leaves such as maples, creepers, torches, sumacs and ginkgoes have changed, reflecting with the distant peaks and forming a vivid autumn picture together.

Address: Qiaozi Town, Huairou District, Beijing

Beijing Backyard Garden

Beijing's Back Garden is located at the intersection of Zhongguancun and Yangfang, with more than 500 natural landscapes, and one of the eight scenic spots of Yanping, the Shenling Thousand Peaks.

In autumn, the hills of Beijing Back Garden are red and the forests are dyed, with colorful views from afar and the leaves burning like torches up close, forming a magnificent picture.

The scenic area has a well-developed water system, with both trickling streams and large pools of water, including stacked pools and alpine pools dotted along the roadside.

Visitors can climb up the staircase and stand high up on the mountain peak with a panoramic view of the mountains.

Address: Beijing Back Garden Scenic Area at the intersection of Zhongguancun and Yangfang, Changping District, Beijing

Miaofeng Mountain

Located in Mentougou District, 55 km from the city centre, Miaofeng Mountain is famous for its "ancient temples, strange pines, and weird rocks". Miaofeng Mountain is a remnant of the Taihang Mountains, and its main peak is 1291m above sea level, making it the highest peak in the small western part of Beijing and the closest 1,000m peak to the capital.

It is the best time to enjoy the red leaves of Miaofeng Mountain in late October when the red leaves all over the mountain are dyed in layers. The main varieties of red leaves are Yuanbao maple, sumac, and hawthorn trees, while the yellow leaves include larch and apricot trees.

Address: Jiangou Village, Miaofeng Mountain Town, Mentougou District, Beijing

Qianling Mountain Park

Qianling Mountain Park is located in Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District. Known as the "No.1 mountain in southwest Beijing, its main peak is 699 meters above sea level. 

The park is currently holding an autumn tour, which will last until November 20. The park's 2,000 mu of colored foliage has entered its best viewing period, with sumac, maple, ash, ginkgo, and other species colorfully decorating the park.

On a sunny day, visitors can take the ropeway to the top and enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery of Qianling Mountain.

Address: North of Xizhuangdian Village, Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District, Beijing

Pofeng Ridge

Located 52 kilometres from downtown Beijing, the Pofeng Ridge Scenic Area is famous for its red leaves.

There are 200,000 sumacs in the core viewing area of more than 2,000 mu, and dozens of other varieties of red leaves such as the Yuanbao maple and torch are scattered throughout the mountains.

The dense foliage landscape forms a colorful world in late autumn, and the 6,000-metre stone walkway spreading from the bottom to the top of the mountain allows visitors immersed in the red foliage.

Address: Youlanshan Scenic Area, Huangshandian Village, Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

Translator: YE Lijuan

Reviewer: SHI Meiling