Fragrant Hill Park (香山公园) in Beijing is one of the city’s most popular destinations for autumn foliage viewing. As the temperatures drop, the park transforms into a vibrant canvas of red, yellow, and orange leaves, with the peak viewing season occurring from late October to early November. During this time, the park attracts many visitors, so it’s best to plan your visit during off-peak hours to enjoy the beauty of the landscape without the crowds. This guide will help you navigate Fragrant Hill’s best hiking routes, top leaf-watching spots, and provide useful tips for a memorable autumn experience.
Best Routes for Hiking and Leaf Watching
Uphill Route (Southern Route):
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Duration: 2 Hours
- Distance: Longest, but relatively flat
- Ideal for: Families with children and elderly visitors
- Route: Take the Xijiao Line (西郊线) to Fragrant Hill Station (香山站) ➠ Enter from the East Gate (香山东门) ➠ Visit the Qinzheng Hall (勤政殿) ➠ Explore Qingwei Liao (青未了) ➠ Check out the Viewing Clouds area (看云起) ➠ Visit Shuangqing Villa (双清别墅) ➠ Stop at Yuxiang Pavilion (雨香馆) ➠ See Mei Stone (梅石) ➠ Reach the top at Xianglu Peak (香炉峰).
Downhill Route (Central Route):
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Duration: 2 Hours
- Distance: Moderate, suitable for a steady descent
- Route: Start from Xianglu Peak (香炉峰) ➠ Pass through Xiangwu Cave (香雾窟) ➠ Visit Yuhua Temple (玉华寺) ➠ Walk through the Old Pine Forest (老松林) ➠ Head to Mirror Lake (眼镜湖) ➠ Stop at Biyun Temple (碧云寺) ➠ Exit via the North Gate (香山北门) ➠ Reach Fragrant Hill Station (香山站).
Best Spots for Viewing Autumn Foliage
- Qinzheng Hall (勤政殿)
- Leaf Type: Red Maple (Yuanbao Maple 元宝枫)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid to late October
- Best Viewing Time: Late October
- Location: One of the most iconic spots in the park for autumn colors.
- Viewing Clouds & Qingwei Liao (看云起 & 青未了)
- Leaf Type: Yellow Liriodendron (黄栌)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid October
- Best Viewing Time: After the Frost Descent festival (霜降) until early November
- Location: Located near the East Palace Gate (东宫门), this spot offers both a panoramic view of the mountain and a close-up look at the leaves.
- Shuangqing Villa (双清别墅)
- Leaf Type: Ginkgo (银杏)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid October
- Best Viewing Time: Mid October to early November
- Location: A beautiful villa surrounded by golden ginkgo trees.
- Old Pine Forest (老松林)
- Leaf Type: Yellow Liriodendron (黄栌), Ginkgo (银杏)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid October
- Best Viewing Time: After the Frost Descent festival (霜降) until early November
- Location: Along the park’s main road, just uphill from Wen Song Xuan Tea House (问松轩茶社).
- Mirror Lake (眼镜湖)
- Leaf Type: Red Maple (元宝枫), Yellow Liriodendron (黄栌)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid October
- Best Viewing Time: Late October to early November
- Location: A peaceful lake surrounded by vibrant autumn colors.
- Biyun Temple (碧云寺)
- Leaf Type: Ginkgo (银杏)
- Peak Foliage Period: Mid October
- Best Viewing Time: Late October to early November
- Location: A serene Buddhist temple, providing the perfect backdrop for photos of the golden ginkgo leaves.
Best Photo Spots for Capturing the Autumn Colors
- Xianglu Peak (香炉峰):
- Description: A stunning vantage point where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire park and the surrounding red-leafed forests. Perfect for capturing sweeping landscape photos.
- Photo Tip: Stand at the peak for a full-frontal shot of Fragrant Hill’s vast, colorful landscape.
- Qingwei Liao (青未了):
- Description: This spot offers a breathtaking view of the autumn foliage as well as the surrounding mountain scenery. Situated near the East Palace Gate (东宫门), it’s one of the park’s most picturesque spots.
- Photo Tip: Capture the view of the valley with colorful leaves in the foreground for an Instagram-worthy shot.
- Sen Yu Hu (森玉笏):
- Description: A beautiful location within the park that provides the perfect setting for photos, where the landscape and autumn colors come together seamlessly.
- Photo Tip: The blending of people with nature here creates magical photo opportunities.
- Ge Yun Zhong (隔云钟):
- Description: From this point, you can enjoy a distant view of the southern mountains covered in vibrant red and yellow leaves.
- Photo Tip: This spot gives you a sense of being one with nature, ideal for capturing wide-angle shots.
- Liu Qi Pavilion (流憩亭):
- Description: Nestled within a dense forest of red leaves, this pavilion provides an incredible opportunity to photograph the beauty of autumn up close.
- Photo Tip: Focus on the intricate patterns of the leaves and the pavilion’s architecture to create stunning compositions.
Fragnant Hill Park Information and Visitor Tips
Ticket Prices:
- Peak Season (April 1 – November 15): 10 RMB
- Combination Ticket (including some nearby attractions): 15 RMB
- Off-Season: Tickets remain the same, though some areas may have reduced hours.
Opening Hours:
- Peak Season: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Off-Season: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased via the park’s official WeChat account on the day of your visit.
How to Get There:
By Subway: Take the Xijiao Line (西郊线) to Fragrant Hill Station (香山站). From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the East Gate (香山东门).
By Car: There is a parking lot available at the park. However, weekends tend to be crowded, so it’s advised to arrive early to secure a parking spot.