Hills, mountains, lakes, temples: Where to see red leaves

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-16 10:00

Fragrant Hills

In Beijing, the Fragrant Hills Park are still the first choice for tourists who want to enjoy the leaves of autumn, despite the weekend crowds and traffic that are inevitable.

Though the government has made efforts to improve the traffic conditions to the mountain, it is not enough during the peak time from late October to early November and up to 20,000 can wander through the park.

Unlike many other places that show off their red leaves, the Fragrant Hills offers lots of ancient Buddhist buildings and historic resorts and this is the reason why many visitors go there despite the crowds and traffic.

The Fragrant Hills are, as their name indicates, an aromatic area of natural beauty. The best places to watch the red leaves are at Xiangshan Temple, Banshan Pavilion, and Yuhua Peak.

If you're up for it, climb up to Pingtai and Xishan Qingxue for a view of the whole mountain.

Getting there: Buses are the easiest transport option because of the special bus lanes en route, and no parking hassles on arrival. Catch No 333, 318, 360 or 904 from downtown Beijing.

Opening hours: 6 am - 7 pm, daily.

Badaling Great Wall

The top beacon tower offers a superb angle to view the red scenery to the horizon. Badaling is not as crowded in autumn as it is in summer. Be sure to take warm clothing with you. It is very cold in late October. Snow is already falling on nearby mountains.

Getting there: Take bus route 919 at Deshengmen in the North Second Ring Road to Badaling Station. You can also drive along Badaling Highway. It takes about 50 minutes. Opening hours: 8 am - 5 pm, daily.

Baiwang Mountain

A red-leaf watching festival is the norm for this mountain during the period, only 3 km northwest of the Summer Palace, and almost the nearest destination for red-leaf watching. The mountain is now a mass of red trees.

Getting there: Buses 330, 716, 718, 722, 752, 903 get there from downtown.

Opening hours: 8 am - 6 pm, daily.

Jinhai Lake

About 80 km northeast of central Beijing, the lake is surrounded by mountains where trees turn red. The lake itself is also a famous travel destination in Beijing.

Getting there: Take bus 918 at Dongzhimen to Jinhai Lake.

Opening hours: 8 am - 6 pm, daily.

Hongluo Temple

An ancient Buddhist temple with a long history of nearly two thousand years, it is located in front of Hongluo Mountain, which is quite famous for the red leaves in autumn. It is a sight for both natural scenery and Buddhism.

Getting there: Bus 936 gets there from Dongzhimen.

Opening hours: 8 am - 5 pm, daily.

Miaofeng Mountain

Despite the red leaves, the park prepared traditional culture festival to visitors, including hanging on the paper written with your wishes as well as toll for great hopes.

Getting there: Special bus line gets there from Pingguoyuan station of subway Line1. (Only for weekend in October)

Opening hours: 8 am - 5 pm.