“Parking by the maple forest in late autumn, the frost leaves redder than flowers in February,” is a line by Du Mu describing the red leaves. Speaking of red leaves, one cannot overlook Beijing’s Fragrant Hill. Every autumn, Fragrant Hill transforms into a sea of crimson, with the entire landscape dyed red, captivating and mesmerizing visitors.
Fragrant Hill Park, also known as Jingyi Garden, features its main peak, Incense Burner Peak (commonly known as ‘Ghost Seen with Worry’), which stands at an elevation of 557 meters. It is a renowned forest park with imperial garden characteristics in Beijing. The park is renowned for its lush green peaks, abundant springs, and dense forests. It is home to over 260,000 trees, including 130,000 maple trees, and more than 5,800 ancient and notable trees.
In addition to its maple groves, the park preserves numerous historical relics. Pavilions, towers, and halls are scattered throughout the mountains like stars. Notable attractions include the ‘Clear Snow on the Western Hills,’ one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing; Biyun Temple, an ancient temple showcasing the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties; the only remaining gilded wooden statues in China, the Five Hundred Arhats; the Zongjing Dazhao Temple, where the Sixth Panchen Lama was welcomed; and the quaint, elegant courtyard of Jianxin Studio, which features southern Jiangnan characteristics.
Travel Information about Fragnant Hill Park
Tickets and Opening Hours
- Tickets:
- Peak Season (April 1 – November 15): ¥10
- Off-Season (November 16 – March 31): ¥5
- Biyun Temple: ¥10
- Opening Hours:
- Peak Season: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Off-Season: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Fragrant Hill Park is from mid-October to early November when the autumn leaves are at their most vibrant. During the Red Leaf Festival, the number of visitors increases significantly, so it’s advisable to visit on weekdays from Monday to Friday if possible.
Access to the Park
- Location: Northwestern Haidian District, eastern foot of the Xiaoxishan Mountain Range.
- Tram: Take Line 10 of the subway to Bagou Station, transfer to the West Suburb Tram Line, and alight at Fragrant Hill Station.
- Bus: Take bus routes 563 or 318 to Fragrant Hill Park East Gate or Fragrant Hill.
- Self-Drive: From the North Fifth Ring Road, exit onto Xiang Road, and follow signs to the park in the northwest direction.
Attraction Rating
- Cultural Value: ★★★
- Special Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Excitement: ★★★
Useful Tips
- There are many vendors selling maple leaf specimens on the mountain, and the prices are reasonable. You can buy some as souvenirs before you leave.
- The park’s guide map highlights the areas for viewing red leaves in the shape of tree leaves. These viewing areas are mostly located along the southern and western sides of the park. You can enter from the East Gate, passing by Jingcui Lake, Shuangqing Villa, and Fragrant Hill Temple, then reach Heshun Gate, and finally follow Heyu Road to the summit. This route features abundant red leaves on trees like yellowhorn and maple, and it is less crowded, making it an excellent route for photographing autumn foliage.
- Fragrant Hill Park also has a simulated skiing training area. After enjoying the red leaves, visitors can learn skiing techniques on the simulated snow slope.
Highlights of Fragnant Hill Park
Fragrant Hill Temple
Fragrant Hill Temple has a long history, with records indicating the presence of two temples, Jian and Fragrant Hill, during the Tang Dynasty. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was expanded on its original site, resulting in the unique layout of Front Street, Middle Temple, and Rear Garden. It was granted the name “大永安禅寺 Dayongan Zen Temple” by the emperor and is one of the twenty-eight scenic spots of the Jingyi Garden.
The temple is built along the mountain, with a well-arranged and grand layout. It was once the most prominent among the temples in the Western Hills. Fragrant Hill Temple was burned down by the Anglo-French forces in 1860 and later by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900. Today, only a few remnants remain, including the Zhile Lake, Tingfa Pine, a stele inscribed by the Emperor on the Sal Tree, and the Stone Screen.
Shuangqing Villa
Shuangqing Villa is located on the southeast side of Fragrant Hill and is named after the two clear springs within the courtyard. The name “双清” was inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself.
In March 1949, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China moved to Fragrant Hill, and Comrade Mao Zedong resided in Shuangqing Villa during this period. He also directed the famous Yangtze River Crossing Campaign from here.
Today, Shuangqing Villa features two exhibition rooms: the upper room displays an exhibition titled “Mao Zedong at Shuangqing,” while the lower room is dedicated to exhibits of Mao Zedong’s former residence at Shuangqing Villa.
From the park entrance, heading west to Shuangqing Villa, this area is a popular spot for relaxation and recreation among locals. It features numerous pavilions, terraces, and flowing water with lakes and ponds, making it an excellent location for capturing garden scenes.
Fragrant Hills Peak (Xianglu Peak)
Xianglu Peak, the highest point in Fragrant Hills, stands at 557 meters. Due to its steep and challenging terrain, it is commonly known as “Ghost-Seeing Sorrow” in local lore. At the summit, the park has constructed three distinctive pavilions:
- Chongyang Pavilion: Named for the Double Ninth Festival, this pavilion offers a panoramic view of Beijing.
- Tayun Pavilion: Named for the wisps of clouds that drift through it after autumn rains and before spring rains, creating the effect of “treading on clouds.”
- Ziyan Pavilion: Named for the purple haze of morning and evening mists that resemble the “purple smoke” mentioned in the poem “The sun shining on the incense burner creates purple smoke.”
From the White Jade Observation Deck, visitors can enjoy a view of Kunming Lake, which resembles a clear basin, with various buildings scattered across the landscape, offering a new perspective of Beijing.
Looking north from the park platform, you will see a stone monument inscribed with “西山晴雪” (West Mountain’s Clear Snow), established in 1751 during the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Yanjing. Descending from “West Mountain’s Clear Snow,” passing Yuhua Courtyards Three and Four, you will reach Yuhua Villa, a prime spot for viewing autumn foliage.
Related Details:
- At the Summit of Xianglu Peak: From the summit of Xianglu Peak, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Xishan Mountain Range. A stone inscribed with “香炉峰 Xianglu Peak” at the top is a popular spot for tourists to take photos and commemorate their visit.
- Autumn Foliage Festival: Every year from mid-October to early November, Fragrant Hills Park hosts an Autumn Foliage Festival. During this time, both photography enthusiasts and ordinary visitors flock to see the stunning scenery. The crowds can be quite overwhelming, so if you wish to capture peaceful photos, it is best to enter the park before 6:00 AM.
- Nearby Attractions: From Fragrant Hills, you can easily walk to nearby attractions such as the Beijing Botanical Garden, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden, and the Reclining Buddha Temple. If you have the energy, you can continue exploring these sites.
Zhao Temple and Jianxin Studio
Zhao Temple: Built in 1780 during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign to welcome the Panchen Lama to Beijing, Zhao Temple is a large and notable temple. The most prominent feature of the temple is the Glazed Pagoda, the only pagoda in the temple. Standing nearly 30 meters tall, it is topped with a yellow glazed pagoda, while the body of the pagoda is adorned with yellow and green glazed tiles. The entire structure is intricately carved with Buddha figures, and the eaves are decorated with copper bells that produce a crisp and melodious sound when the wind blows.
Jianxin Studio: North of Zhao Temple, you will find a walled enclosure housing Jianxin Studio, the best-preserved historical site in the park. It is said to have been a place where the emperor could assess the loyalty of his officials, hence the name “Jianxin,” meaning “See the Heart Studio.” The small courtyard exhibits distinctive Jiangnan architectural charm, featuring a semi-circular water pond surrounded by a painted corridor on three sides. Above the main hall of Jianxin Studio hangs a plaque with its name. The hall faces Zhi Yu Pavilion, and behind the studio lies Zheng Ning Hall, a five-room structure. To the east of the courtyard is a semi-circular water pond with red koi swimming freely.
Biyun Temple
Originally named Biyun Nunnery, Biyun Temple is located in the northern part of Xiangshan Park. The temple is built on the mountainside, facing east, with its layout centered around six courtyards arranged along the central axis. The temple’s halls are stacked up the mountainside, making it one of the most beautiful temples in the Western Hills.
- First Courtyard: This courtyard features the Shanmen Hall, where two statues of Vajra Warriors (commonly known as the “Yin-Yang Guardians”) stand as protectors of the temple. Flanking the courtyard are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.
- Second Courtyard: The Maitreya Hall houses a Ming Dynasty bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha.
- Third Courtyard: This is the Main Hall (Daxiong Baodian), the central hall of Biyun Temple. Inside, the statue group depicts the Buddha Sakyamuni giving sermons.
Additionally, Biyun Temple includes a Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. In the center of the hall is a statue of Sun Yat-sen made of white marble. The exhibition rooms on either side of the main hall focus on Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary life and achievements, which may be of interest to visitors.
Visitor Guide for Fragnant Hill Park
Transportation in the Scenic Area
- Cable Car: The Xiangshan Cable Car operates from the North Gate to the summit of Xianglu Peak, covering a distance of nearly 1,000 meters. It has three stations: upper, middle, and lower. On weekdays, the one-way fare is 50 RMB per person, while on weekends and public holidays, the fare is 60 RMB per person.
Dining Options
- Songlin Restaurant (松林餐厅): Located not far from the visitor center, Songlin Restaurant is surrounded by green pines, offering a pleasant environment. The restaurant specializes in Shandong cuisine, with its signature dish being the “Three Banquets and Nine Elders Feast,” which features court-style dishes.
- Na Jia Xiao Guan (那家小馆): Situated at No. 29, Kesi Pine, this small eatery is located in a quiet corner and is known for its affordable and delicious traditional Chinese dishes.
- Ting Chan Xuan (听蝉轩): Located at A-58, Commercial Service Building, Parking Lot 5, Xiangshan, Ting Chan Xuan exudes a classic and elegant atmosphere. It serves tea snacks and is accompanied by high-mountain tea.
Recommended Itineraries
Southern Route – Apricot Blossom Viewing:
East Gate → Jingcui Lake → Cuiwei Pavilion → Xiangshan Temple (Ruins) → Shuangqing Villa
Central Route – Floral Viewing:
East Gate → Qinzheng Hall → Tingxue Pavilion → Zhisong Garden → Maple Forest Village → Jiari Garden → Eyeglass Lake → Lower Station of Cable Car → Biyun Temple