View Spectacular Autumn Leaves at These Spots in Beijing

With the October holiday behind us, fall is firmly settling into the capital which means soon the city will be awash with the beautiful red, orange and yellow hues of autumn leaves. Whether you're a nature lover, photographer, or just looking for a relaxing autumn stroll, Beijing offers numerous locations to experience the beauty of fall foliage. Here are some of the best places to visit to see the autumn leaves in Beijing:

Fragrant Hills 

Located in the western suburbs, Fragrant Hills Park is one of the most famous places to see autumn leaves in Beijing. This park is known for its dense forests and vibrant red maple leaves that transform the hills into a fiery red and orange landscape every October. You can hike up to Xianglu Peak, the highest point, for a panoramic view of the city and the colorful scenery. Be warned though, the park can get very busy during this time of year so it’s best to visit mid-week if possible. 

Fragrant Hills 香山
40 Maimai Jie, Haidian District
海淀区买卖街40号
Opening times: 6am-7.30pm (Apr 1-Nov 15), 6am-7pm (Nov 16-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 10
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

Beijing Botanical Garden

Adjacent to Fragrant Hills, the Beijing Botanical Garden is another excellent spot to admire autumn leaves. The garden houses a wide variety of trees and plants, including ginkgo trees that turn golden yellow in the fall. Given the large size of the Botanical Garden, this is a pretty good spot to avoid major crowds and completely immerse yourself in the autumn hues. 

Beijing Botanical Garden 国家植物园
Wofo Si Lu, Xiangshan, Haidian District
海淀区海淀区香山卧佛寺路
Opening times: 6am-9pm (Apr 1-Nov 15), 8.30am-5pm (Nov 16-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 10
Best time to visit: Mid-October to late November

Mutianyu Great Wall

While the Great Wall is spectacular any time of year, autumn offers a particularly stunning view as the hills surrounding the Wall become covered in brilliant fall foliage. Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall, is a great place to enjoy the changing colors with fewer crowds compared to Badaling. You can hike or take a cable car up to the Wall, where the sight of red, yellow, and orange trees stretching across the mountains will take your breath away.

Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District 
怀柔区渤海镇慕田峪村
Opening times: 7.30am-6pm (Apr 1-Nov 15), 8am-5.30pm (Nov 16-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 45
Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October

Olympic Forest Park

Situated near the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium, Olympic Forest Park is perfect if you want to get back to nature but don't want to travel too far. The forest areas feature rows of golden ginkgo trees, maples, and other species that show off their autumn hues. Walking along the meandering paths, you can enjoy a quiet escape from the bustling city while admiring the beauty of the season.

Olympic Forest Park 奥林匹克森林公园
15 Beichen Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳区北辰东路15号‎
Opening times: 5am-10pm (Apr 1-Nov 15), 6am-9pm (Nov 16-Mar 31)
Entry: Free
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

Jingshan Park

Located directly across from the Forbidden City's exit (or north side), Jingshan Park is a must-visit for those who want to enjoy both fall colors and a stunning view of Beijing’s historic landmarks. The park’s central hill, once an imperial garden, is surrounded by old trees, including maples and Chinese ash, whose leaves turn deep red and golden yellow in autumn. From the top of the hill, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City framed by autumn foliage.

Jingshan Park 景山公园
44 Jingshan Xijie, Xicheng District
西城区景山西街44号
Opening times: 6am-9pm (Apr 1-Oct 31), 6.30am-8pm (Nov 1-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 2
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

The Summer Palace

As one of Beijing's most famous attractions, the Summer Palace is breathtaking in autumn. The palace's extensive grounds include lakes, gardens, and pavilions surrounded by trees that burst into a rainbow of fall colors. The Long Corridor, a famous covered walkway, is lined with trees that shed their golden leaves, creating a picture-perfect scene. A boat ride on Kunming Lake also provides stunning views of Longevity Hill, which is dotted with colorful foliage.

Summer Palace 颐和园
Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District
海淀区颐和园路
Opening times: 6am-8pm (Apr 1-Oct 31), 6.30am-7pm (Nov 1-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 30
Best time to visit: Late October to mid-November

Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue 

Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue, near the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, is renowned for its 1,000-meter-long stretch lined with towering ginkgo trees. In autumn, the entire avenue turns golden as the ginkgo leaves change color, creating a golden canopy overhead and a carpet of yellow leaves on the ground. It is one of the most wanghong spots for autumn photography in Beijing so expect to see lots of selfie snapping if you go there!

Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue 钓鱼台银杏大道
East side of the Diaoyutai Guest Hotel, Sanlihe Lu, Haidian District
海淀区三里河路钓鱼台国宾馆东墙外 (钓鱼台国宾馆东侧路)
Opening times: N/A
Entry: N/A
Best time to visit: Late October to early November

Baiwang Mountain Forest Park

Located just 3 kilometers north of the Summer Palace, Baiwang Mountain Forest Park is a quiet, lesser-known spot to enjoy autumn colors. The park is covered in dense forests, and in autumn, the mountain is awash with colorful leaves, particularly red maples. It’s a great place for those who want to experience the beauty of Beijing’s fall foliage without the large crowds found in more popular parks.

Baiwang Mountain Forest Park 百望山森林公园
19 Heihu Beikou, Haidian District 
海淀区黑山扈北口19号（近颐和园）
Opening times: 7am-5pm
Entry: RMB 6
Best time to visit: Late October to mid-November

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by ancient cypress trees and ginkgo trees that put on a show of autumn color every year. The golden ginkgo trees in particular create a striking contrast against the blue sky and the ancient architecture. The expansive grounds offer plenty of space to take a leisurely walk while soaking in both the history and the beauty of the season.

Temple of Heaven 天坛公园
Yongdingmen Dajie (West Gate), Chongwen District
崇文区永定门内大街 （天坛西门）
Opening times: 6am-10pm (Apr 1-Oct 31), 6.30am-10pm (Nov 1-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 15 (admission only), RMB 34 (through ticket)
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

Beihai Park

One of Beijing’s oldest and most iconic imperial parks, Beihai Park becomes especially charming in autumn. The park's winding paths, bridges, and lake are surrounded by ancient trees that display vibrant autumn hues. A walk around the park’s lakeside paths or a boat ride on Beihai Lake offers a peaceful way to enjoy the reflection of fall colors on the water. The White Dagoba, a prominent structure in the park, provides a lovely contrast to the surrounding foliage.

Beihai Park 北海公园
1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District
西城区文津街1号
Opening times: 6am-9pm (Apr 1-Oct 31), 6.30am-8pm (Nov 1-Mar 31)
Entry: RMB 10 (admission only), RMB 20 (through ticket)
Best time to visit: Mid-October to early November

Zhongshan Park

Located just west of Tiananmen, once autumn hits Zhongshan Park becomes a sea of yellow thanks to its numerous gingko trees. Stretching from the South Gate to the Altar of Land and Grain (Shejitan), there is an avenue of ginkgo trees and then on the west side inside the South Gate there are an impressive 59 ginkgo trees showcasing their beautiful golden hues. The trees look particularly spectacular set against the red temple buildings. 

Zhongshan Park 中山公园
West of Tiananmen Gate, Dongcheng District
东城区天安门西侧
Opening times: 6am-8.30pm 
Entry: RMB 3
Best time to visit: Late October to early November

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Images: Uni You, Li Yiming, Pexels, Canva, Wikimedia Commons