The first fallen leaf signals autumn, and in Beijing, the autumn leaves are like the most beautiful "messengers" of the season. Searching for autumn throughout the city, it's all found deep within the heart of the capital.

As Lao She once said, "In autumn, you must live in Beijing." I don't know what heaven looks like, but based on my life experience, autumn in Beijing feels like heaven!

Beijing's autumn is like a vibrant oil painting, with the hutongs and lanes of old Beijing lined with ginkgo trees, blending the ancient city's autumn charm.

Autumn in the Forbidden City

With crisp air and gentle breezes, Beijing's autumn begins in the Forbidden City. However, the beauty of the Forbidden City is timeless, never changing with each season. As the ginkgo leaves outside the city fall, the palace itself remains a golden spectacle of imperial splendor.

Walking through the ancient palace walls, one can almost smell the scent of autumn in the air, and feel the nostalgia for its former name—the Forbidden City.

Every brick, every tile, every tree, and every blade of grass is subtly touched by autumn's colors. The green glazed roofs, the intricately carved beams, and the majestic structures seem to hold the weight and quiet beauty of centuries.

The clear palace halls, the azure sky, the lively roofs, the red palace walls, the stillness of the fallen leaves, the golden carpet on the ground, the cheerful birds chirping, and the lazy cats lounging.

Autumn on the Ginkgo Avenue

Though Beijing is most famous for its red maple leaves, the most beautiful autumn foliage here is the ginkgo. Ginkgo Avenue is one of the city's most iconic autumn sights.

When autumn arrives, its grandeur and beauty far surpass the red leaves of Fragrant Hill.

In late autumn, the golden ginkgo leaves blanket the ground, and you might find yourself marveling at how fallen leaves can be described as brilliant. The fresh green leaves with yellow edges, and those entirely golden, gleam under the sunlight. When the sky is an unblemished blue, the scene becomes so vivid it lifts your spirits, filling you with warmth and joy.

Autumn in Fragrant Hill Park

Covering 188 hectares, Fragrant Hill Park is a royal garden with a mountainous landscape. Every summer and autumn, emperors would come here for hunting and leisure, making it one of the best places to enjoy autumn in Beijing. 

In autumn, the hills are ablaze with the fiery red leaves of the yellow-leafed trees, which turn a deep purple-red after the frost.

The best vantage point is from the small pavilion atop Senyu Hu Peak, where you can gaze out across the landscape. The distant mountains and nearby slopes are layered with colors: crimson, pink, scarlet, and peach, all blending seamlessly.

In the cool autumn breeze, it feels as though the mountains themselves are shaking, while the evergreen pines and cypresses stand proudly amidst the vivid hues, creating a stunning contrast of red and green, both bizarre and magnificent.

Autumn at the Badaling Great Wall

The Great Wall in autumn is famous for its spectacular display of red leaves. These leaves take root in the cracks of the rocks, strong and determined, like a wildfire that spreads across the Wall and into the surrounding mountains, turning the landscape a fiery red and infusing autumn with a rich, intense vibrancy.At Badaling, the Great Wall stands resilient and majestic atop the fiery red mountains, having weathered centuries of history and the turbulence of time.

The Wall, which has witnessed countless battles and the rise and fall of dynasties, stands firm and proud, surrounded by the blazing colors of autumn, offering a timeless beauty that seems to transcend the passing seasons.