As November arrives, Beijing is bathed in the warm golden hues of ginkgo leaves and sunlight. The thousand-year-old ginkgo trees in these ancient temples are now at their peak, showcasing rich autumn colors. Don't miss this golden season to enjoy the vibrant foliage.
Dajue Temple
Dajue Temple, originally built during the Liao Dynasty, faces east and sits on the western slope. The temple layout flows from east to west, featuring the Mountain Gate, Bell and Drum Towers, Tianwang Hall, Daxiong Hall, Wuliangsi Hall, and Dabei Hall. The architecture is grand, ancient, and arranged with a meticulous and expansive layout. Towering ancient cypress trees fill the grounds, complemented by lush forests and clear springs.
Dajue Temple is famed for its three-hundred-year-old magnolia trees and thousand-year-old ginkgo trees, considered among the most renowned in Beijing. Inside the temple, there are four distinguished first-grade ancient ginkgo trees: a thousand-year-old male ginkgo king, a symmetrically positioned female ginkgo, a unique "Nine Offspring Embracing the Mother" ginkgo that grows as a "forest from a single tree," and a "Male and Female Embracing" ginkgo tree. Each tree possesses its own distinct character.
The temple itself exudes a sense of simplicity, tranquility, and solemnity. The thousand-year-old ginkgo trees shine in a brilliant golden hue, their beauty both vivid and intense. The quiet, ancient temple and the vibrant ancient trees complement each other in a perfect blend of stillness and movement.
Red walls and green tiles, with upturned eaves, contrast beautifully against the golden fan-shaped leaves. Light and shadows dance among the branches, adding a deep sense of autumn charm. Walking through the ancient temple, you'll find thick layers of ginkgo leaves covering the ground, steps, and patches of grass—a golden carpet glimmering underfoot.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, open year-round except under special circumstances (ticket sales and entry close at 4:30 PM).
Address: No. 9, Dajuesi Road(Lu), Sujiatuo, Haidian, Beijing
Jietai Temple
Jietai Temple was built in 622 AD, boasting a history of over 1,400 years. The ancient temple is oriented eastward and is built against the mountains, featuring majestic halls and numerous stone tablets. The area is lush with pine and cypress trees, creating a tranquil environment.
The temple houses the largest Buddhist precepts platform in the country, earning it the reputation of the "First Platform Under Heaven." With its red walls, gray tiles, and flying eaves, the ancient architecture exudes a sense of historical charm. Within the temple stands a centuries-old ginkgo tree, reaching over twenty meters in height and featuring both male and female characteristics. The female tree turns yellow first, and once its leaves have fallen, the male tree also transforms into a brilliant golden hue. From late October to mid-November, visitors can enjoy the stunning beauty of the golden ginkgo leaves.
"Follow the TV and Film" Check-in at Jietai Temple
"Xuanqiu Film City" filming location check-in event
Event Dates: November 2, 3, 9, and 10
Check-in Point: Designated area at Jietai Temple
Visitors can dress in Hanfu and step into the world of numerous TV dramas, including "Empresses in the Palace," the 1986 version of "Journey to the West," "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," and "The Legend of Qianlong," while enjoying the autumn scenery and experiencing the fun of being "ancient people."
Opening Hours: Spring and Summer: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Autumn and Winter: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Address: Jietai Temple Scenic Area, Ma'anshan, Yongding Town, Mentougou, Beijing
Tanzhe Temple
Tanzhe Temple has a history of over 1,700 years and is the oldest royal temple in Beijing. The temple is situated facing south, surrounded by mountains, offering a pleasant scenery. Ancient trees and famous plants are scattered throughout the temple, creating a serene courtyard. Each hall, platform, and room has its own unique characteristics, while the pavilions and terraces provide extraordinary views.
The main buildings of Tanzhe Temple are divided into three routes: central, east, and west. At the end of the central axis, there stands a Pilu Pavilion, flanked by two ancient ginkgo trees known as the Emperor Tree and the Queen Tree, both estimated to be over 1,400 years old.
By passing through the Emperor Tree and the Queen Tree and walking around the sides of the Pilu Pavilion to the back of the hall, you can find a colorful forest formed by yellow-leafed trees and maple trees.
In August of this year, the lower pagoda forest of Tanzhe Temple reopened, featuring a total of 75 pagodas in the upper and lower pagoda courtyards. This site boasts the largest number of well-preserved pagodas in the Beijing area, allowing visitors to enjoy the autumn foliage while also experiencing the charm of ancient architectural artistry.
The "Tanzhe Temple Ginkgo Festival" features the "Bai Shi Ru Yi" intangible cultural heritage market, taking place from October 26 to November 15. The main event location is at Yuanbao Mountain in Tanzhe Temple.
The market will feature traditional intangible cultural heritage crafts such as carving, hair monkeys, and paper-cutting, all embodying auspicious elements. Visitors can also take photos with the popular "Wuhuang Cat."
Additionally, there will be an NPC interactive experience called "Fortune and Wisdom Increase," taking place on November 2, 3, 9, 10, and 15. Key interaction points include Lishuyuan, the Emperor Tree, Liubei Pavilion, and the Stone Fish.
Visitors can engage in fun interactions with NPCs dressed in Hanfu and complete quiz tasks to earn a "Pass Document" for stamp collection, which will allow them to access other levels.
The "Joyful Heart" series of art therapy, tea ceremony, and incense ceremony activities will take place during six sessions from October 26 to November 15. These activities will be held near Jiafu Binshe, Lishuyuan, and Liubei Pavilion.
Visitors can register for cultural and artistic experience projects such as sound bowl therapy, tea ceremony, and incense ceremony through reservation. This offers a chance to relax and welcome a better life during the festival.
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Address: Below Tanze Mountain, Tanzhe Temple Town, Mentougou, Beijing.
Badachu Park
Badachu Park is situated at the southern foothills of the Xishan Scenic Area. It is both a park and a mountainous Buddhist temple garden. The ginkgo trees in Badachu Park are mainly found within the temples, especially at the Da Bei Temple, where there are two ancient ginkgo trees over 800 years old, believed to have been planted during the Yuan Dynasty. Additionally, there is a Ming Dynasty ginkgo tree located east of the Buddhist Tooth Pagoda at Lingguang Temple and another one west of the main gate at Xiangjie Temple.
Tour Route:
After entering the park, walk to the left slope upon seeing the Wishing Tree.
Left of the Wishing Tree—Lingguang Temple—Sanshan Monastery—Dabeisi Temple—Longquan Monastery—Xiangjie Temple—Baozhu Cave—Slide Path—Zhengguo Temple.
In late autumn, the Badachu Park is filled with the lingering charm of fall. The trees among the mountains are painted red by the autumn hues. One of the famous Twelve Scenic Spots of the Western Mountains, "Late Autumn Red Leaves," has arrived as scheduled.
Opening Hours: 06:00 - 17:30
Address: No. 3 Badachu Lu(Rd), Shijingshan, Beijing
Lama Temple（Yonghe Gong)
Entering the Lama Temple（Yonghe Gong) through the archway at the South Gate, you step onto the ceremonial path leading to the Zhaotai Gate. The ginkgo trees planted on either side are in their prime, tall and dense, enhancing the grandeur of this imperial edifice.
This is one of the three major ginkgo avenues in the capital, known as "the most serene ginkgo avenue." It is currently in a transitional phase of color and will soon welcome a golden visual feast.
The Beijing Confucian Temple and the Imperial College near the Lama Temple are adorned with ginkgo trees that bring a brilliant glow as expected. Other vegetation is also gradually turning red and yellow.
Opening Hours: November 1 to March 31, 09:00-16:30 (Tickets and entry stop at 16:00)
Address: No. 28 Yonghegong Dajie(St), Dongcheng , Beijing
Beijing is in the midst of autumn, with ginkgo trees in the alleys, parks, and ancient temples turning golden, adding a rich splash of color to the fall scenery.
Translator: BAI Jing
Reviewer: FENG Haoxuan
