Beijing has a long history, and every royal garden witnesses the passage of time in this city for thousands of years. The plants and trees here experience the changes of seasons and feel the joys and sorrows of ancient and modern people. This autumn, taking a stroll in the royal gardens, you may find yourself standing at the intersection of time and space, unable to distinguish between the past and present.

The Forbidden City

Some say that the Forbidden City becomes a painting once autumn arrives. This palace, with a history of over 600 years from the Ming and Qing dynasties, is a pearl on Beijing's central axis and the world's largest and best-preserved wooden palace complex. When the ginkgo and persimmon trees in the Forbidden City turn golden, combined with the architecture, it creates a sense of weight and beauty that transcends time.

Address: No. 4 Jingshan Front Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park is also worth visiting in autumn. Next to the cultural and creative center on the top of the Forbidden City, there is a tall ginkgo tree. When it reaches its peak viewing period, the golden leaves contrast with the ancient red walls, creating a charming autumn scenery.

Address: No. 44 Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park is a great place to see ginkgo trees, especially the ginkgo avenue inside the South Altar Gate. The ginkgo trees here are set against the blue sky, red walls, and tiles, creating a sense of "Beiping's autumn" described in literature and adding a unique charm to the Altar of Land and Grain.

The ginkgo trees on the west side of the South Gate are particularly beautiful. The ginkgo forest is planted along the corridor and extends westward to the lotus pond. The tall golden branches and leaves interweave into a dense network of leaves, and when they fall to the ground, they create a warm and romantic atmosphere.

Address: No. 4 Zhonghua Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Temple of Heaven Park

When entering the North Gate of the Temple of Heaven Park, a ginkgo avenue comes into view, with golden ginkgo trees and ancient buildings in the same frame, creating a delightful sight.

In addition to ginkgo trees, the red leaves in the Temple of Heaven are also beautiful. When admiring the scenery of the Double Ring Pavilion and looking south, a few red maple leaves of the yuanbao maple trees come into view on the road leading to the North Gate of the Zhaigong, creating an elegant scenery.

Address: No. 1 Tiantan East Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing

The Temple of Earth Park

The Temple of Earth, also known as Fangze Altar, is the second largest of the five altars in ancient Beijing. It was built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530 AD) and is located on the east side of Andingmen, opposite the Temple of Heaven and facing the Yonghe Temple, the Temple of Confucius, and the National Imperial Academy across the river.

There are more than 200 ginkgo trees planted in the Temple of Earth Park, which were planted in the late 1950s. In late autumn, the ground under the trees is covered with golden leaves. Walking on the long ginkgo avenue and stepping on the thick ginkgo leaves, the red walls reflect the yellow ginkgo leaves, creating picturesque scenery everywhere, allowing visitors to truly feel the splendor of autumn.

In addition to ginkgo trees, the maple trees in the Temple of Earth Park also show their most beautiful appearance of the year. When the wind blows, the red maple leaves fall with the wind, becoming a beautiful scenery line in autumn.

Address: Hepingli, Dongcheng District, Beijing

The Temple of Moon Park

The Temple of Moon, originally named Xiyue Altar, was built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530 AD). It is located on the south side of Xiyue North Street in Xicheng District, west of Nanlishi Road. It is one of the famous "Five Altars and Eight Temples" in Beijing, where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped the god of the moon at night.

A large number of ornamental leaf trees such as ginkgo and Acer buergerianum are planted in the park, with the embellishment of green pines and cypresses, forming a colorful painting. Late October is the most brilliant and unrestrained season of the Temple of Moon. The cool and clear autumn weather and light clouds and gentle breeze create a picturesque autumn scenery.

Address: No. 6, Xiyue North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

The Old Summer Palace Ruins Park

The white wax trees planted around the Qichun Garden and Fuhai are lush and have orange-yellow leaves in autumn, making them a good ornamental tree species. Strolling in the white wax forest of Qichun Garden or quietly watching Fuhai under the white wax tree are both pleasant things to do in autumn.

The straight trunks and agile leaves appear more dreamy against the golden background. The ginkgo avenue in the Old Summer Palace has become a "popular check-in spot" in autumn. Walking among them is like entering a fairy tale of autumn.

The colors of autumn are not just golden. The yellowhorn trees around the Yulinglong Hall in Changchun Garden have put on a new look, with red leaves dotted around, warming our hearts. When it comes to the red leaves of the Old Summer Palace, the Acer buergerianum in the Lion Forest cannot be missed. It was once the emperor's favorite garden within the garden. Nowadays, the fiery red maple leaves are a sight to behold in autumn, and every photo taken is a beautiful one.

Address: 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District, Beijing

The Summer Palace

In autumn, the Summer Palace is as tranquil and picturesque as a painting, with its shimmering lake and mountain scenery. On both sides of the Back Creek, the leaves of trees such as the big-leaved wax tree, the maple, and the small-leaved elm have already turned into a splendid display of red, orange, and yellow. The varying shades of the leaves and the autumn sunlight reflecting on the river surface create a beautiful and enchanting scene.

Address: No. 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing.