Fragrant Hills Park

Fragrant Hills Park or Xiangshan Park (香山公园) is a public park and former imperial garden at the foot of the Western Hills in the Haidian District, Beijing, China. It was also formerly known as Jingyi Garden or "Jingyiyuan" (靜宜園). It covers 160 ha (395 acres) and consists of a natural pine-cypress forest, hills with maple trees, smoke trees and persimmon trees, as well as landscaped areas with traditional architecture and cultural relics. The name derives from the highest peak of Fragrant Hills, Xianglu Feng (Incense Burner Peak), a 557-meter (1,827 ft) hill with two large stones resembling incense burners at the top.

This park is not so far from the center of Beijing, you can take the subway there. Take Xijiao Line to Fragrant Hills station (by the way in one station Botanical Garden). The ticket is only 10 RMB. You have to walk around 10-15 min. to the park. #fallingforfall#urbanexplorer#awesomepic

Fragrant Hills is a great place for hiking and trail running. the main path is cement and there are plenty of signs leading the way. ¥10 will get you in. There are toilets and they are clean and equipped with toilet paper. The hike we did was 10km in total. Lots of stairs so be sure to wear comfy shoes and a pack a small backpack with some snacks. You could have a little picnic along the way. Getting There - Didi will get you there without much hassle. We cycled from Lidu area and the road is quite easy. Attractions - Pagodas. Peony garden. Great place to see the seasons change. Great views on a clear day. Food & Restaurants - There are some snack shops along the route and a restaurant towards the end of the trail. #gooutside

Another place I had to go to twice due to covid, the first time I went it was mostly closed but I didn’t know that so I just thought it was very small and not that impressive. Luckily not only did I go back but I went during autumn! My country doesn’t have autumn ( or anything other than summer really) and I couldn’t have found a better place to see it for the first time. Truly amazing. I also discovered how wrong I was about the park, it’s massive and beautiful. We made it all the way to the top and I’m thankful we kept going, the top, middle and bottom are all very unique and each deserves to be seen. The view from the top was amazing as well especially with all the changing leaves.

This temple is near and might be a part of the fragrant hills park, to the right of it I think. It was a really fun day adventure. Some parts were closed for construction, all the pagodas in the back that’s I really really wanted to see were closed and I was pretty sad about that until I found all the statues. I think it was just before the pagodas there is a building that is completely full with statues. Hundreds or maybe thousands and each one different. That was amazing to see! Won’t lie some of them I scared me but most were really cool. I shared some photos of my favourite ones. The whole park was beautiful as well. I would highly suggest a trip as it was empty I don’t think a lot of people go.

2024 third patrol. Last week I was under the weather and didn't make it to the mountain patrol. This week I finally managed to come, but I got up late and didn't leave until nine o'clock. Traffic jams all the way, and by the time I entered the park it was already ten, missing the sunrise and only getting a 'sun shining overhead, warming my whole body'. Upon entering the park, I went straight to the mountain trail to start climbing. The weather today was so-so, with poor visibility. There's a very clear reference for judging visibility, which is the CBD skyscraper cluster located on the East Third Ring. If you can see this city landmark clearly from the mountain, it means the visibility is quite good; if it's blurry, it means there's light fog and visibility is slightly poor; if you can't see the CBD skyscrapers at all, it means the visibility is really bad, and today was just like that. With bad weather and poor visibility, and no sunrise to see, I had no choice but to speed up and hurry on my way, at most observing the situation on the mountain path. In the past, there were very few tourists climbing the mountain on weekdays during the off-season, and in the morning you could meet some regular fitness enthusiasts, but mostly older people who exercise by climbing. If it's a weekday during the off-season, it's basically hard to see other climbers; however, today I found the mountain path to be quite lively, feeling like there were quite a few people ahead and behind me, overtaking a group of tourists every so often, and those tourists were mostly middle-aged or even young people, which was a bit unusual. Thinking about it, it makes sense. Now with rapid unemployment and difficult job hunting, middle-aged people who lose their jobs find it very hard to find new employment, and even young people getting laid off is common, with no job they just wander around; and most of the unemployed naturally wouldn't want to spend five hundred bucks to go to an amusement park, so they might as well spend five to climb a mountain. Don't ask me how I know, I'm one of them, and even the 'senior' kind, otherwise how could I possibly patrol the mountain more than a hundred times a year? Since there was no scenery to see, it only took me 32 minutes to reach the summit today, at least five minutes faster than in the morning when you can watch the sunrise. After walking around the summit, I started to descend, choosing a small path in the middle of the forest. After passing Meishi, I turned right at a fork, towards the Xiangshan ancient trail, but I didn't expect it to be such a difficult path. This small path is on the shady side of the mountain, and with cliffs and trees blocking it, it's hard to see the sun all day, so the snow accumulates and doesn't melt, and gets gradually trampled into ice. The road is very slippery, with several downhill corners being particularly treacherous, with no place to step without slipping. I didn't expect that, during the days of heavy snow, I didn't fall at all, but now almost a month after the snow, I actually fell over a dozen times on this secluded mountain path, which can be counted as my first tumble in 2024! Fortunately, halfway through I met a big brother wearing anti-slip hiking boots, walking very steadily. He saw me falling all the way and quickly came up to help me down the most difficult slope, and advised me to find a stairway to descend before he continued climbing. I'm really thankful for this kind-hearted big brother!

Located on the bustling edge of Beijing's city center, Haidian District's Baiwangshan Forest Park attracts countless families with its unique charm of being close to nature. Not only is it a stone's throw from the urban area, but it's also a place where you can often encounter leisurely squirrels, bringing endless fun to the children. Xishan National Forest Park, as a zero-difficulty barrier-free recreational destination, is even equipped with facilities designed for strollers, allowing every family to roam freely and easily. Fragrant Hills Park is a paradise for parent-child activities, with some little-known parent-child activities hidden on its homepage. While playing, children may also encounter those cute squirrels, creating a harmonious scene. Shijingshan District's Badachu Park, with its toboggan as the main attraction, offers visitors a different kind of fun. The peach blossom forest in the Lao Shan City Leisure Park is a paradise for hikers, just 10 minutes away. The blooming peach blossom forest seems like a gift from spring, intoxicating visitors. Although the Jietai Temple Countryside Park is simple and easy to navigate, the presence of a large slide adds more fun to the visit. The ancient Jingxi Trail is suitable for a driving exploration, where you can feed lambs along the way and experience the pastoral life. The trails of Nangang Village and Wangping Village, connecting the Nangang Village Committee, are filled with the tranquility of the countryside with every step. The Fengcun trail winds and twists like a green ribbon through the lush woods, while the serenity of Baolin Temple offers a moment of peace amidst the hustle and bustle. In Huairou District, the Water Great Wall is complemented by mountain flowers and the ancient Great Wall, forming a magnificent picture. The Zhuangdaokou Great Wall witnesses the vicissitudes of history, while the Yaotaiyu Ancient Castle tells the stories of the years. The peaceful rural life of Shangwangyu Village is undoubtedly a journey back to nature. Each place has its unique charm, whether it's city parks or rural paths, all are telling the story of Beijing's diversity and the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature in their own ways.

Hi! Looking for the amazing city view and nature experience in the city center of the Beijing? Visit Beijing Fragrance mountain🫶🏻 There are few things to enjoy this places: 1. Cafe and Restaurant in the Main Street of the Fragrance mountain gate 2. Temples on the way to the top of the mountain 3. Amazing city view I personally recommend you visit in sunny weather to enjoy the amazing city view!#nature #temple #Beijing ##Hiking

Entering from the north gate of Fragrant Hills Park, passing through the Glasses Lake, and following the signs along the stone path uphill, a building with a distinctive red and white style appears in the woods, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding gardens. That is our destination today—Zhao Temple. Zhao Temple, officially known as the Grand Zhao Temple of Ancestral Reflection, was built to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's 70th birthday. The Sixth Panchen Lama traveled thousands of miles from Lhasa to Beijing, taking 13 months. To welcome this living Buddha, Qianlong Emperor had this Tibetan Gelug monastery constructed as the Panchen Lama's temporary palace. Upon arrival in Beijing, the Sixth Panchen Lama personally held the consecration ceremony for the temple. Zhao Temple features a Sino-Tibetan architectural style, and as you tour, you'll frequently notice features that blend Chinese and Tibetan elements. It follows the Tibetan layout of 'a white platform in front and a red platform in the back', with the glazed archway and the octagonal pavilion of the imperial stele situated in between, which are typical of the Han style. Unique Tibetan rectangular windows with added Han-style glazed windows, among other features, all indicate the special existence of this temple. 🔸Touring Tips: 1. Currently, only the front white platform and the Glazed Wanshou Pagoda of Zhao Temple are open to the public; the red platform is still under renovation. Standing in front of the Glazed Pagoda, you can overlook the entire temple. 2. The temple was once burnt down, and only the glazed archway, the stone base of the Mani pole, stone steles, and the Wanshou seven-layered octagonal glazed pagoda have been preserved; other buildings have been reconstructed. 3. The park offers volunteer guides. If you encounter one, it is recommended to listen, as it will allow you to deeply understand the temple's background story and viewing highlights. 4. At Zhao Temple, you can try to capture the atmosphere of Tibet. The square in front of the white platform should be the focus of photography, with the white walls, small windows, and Mani poles serving as backgrounds with distinctive Tibetan characteristics. 📍Location & Transportation: Located within Fragrant Hills Park, the north gate is the nearest entrance. After entering the park, follow the signs and walk for about 500 meters. There is a parking lot outside the north gate, but spaces are very limited. 🕑Opening Hours: 8:30-16:30 (Zhao Temple) 🎫Admission: General admission ticket allows entry, no separate ticket required. 🌟Tips: Currently, the wintersweet flowers in Fragrant Hills Park are in their prime viewing period, and they are very close to Zhao Temple, so bring them along when you visit.

【Recommended Route】 👣Enter from the East Gate —— Tranquil Lake —— Cuiwei Pavilion —— Shuanglu Zhai —— Cableway —— Hero Slope —— Incense Burner Peak —— Hanging Moon Peak 【Must-visit Photo Spots】 ✨Tranquil Lake: The red leaves here are dense, very suitable for ladies in Hanfu to take photos, producing stunning shots in minutes! ✨Incense Burner Peak: You can overlook the entire Fragrant Hills, with a wide view, climbing high and looking into the distance, making people feel relaxed and happy! Transportation: 🚄Subway: Take the subway and transfer to the 'West Suburb Line' at 'Bagou Station', and get off at Fragrant Hills Park Station (this is the most recommended route, very convenient, the most convenient) 🚌Bus: 318, 360, 360 express, 563, 698 🚗Self-driving: Everyone follow the navigation, 🅿️There are Biyun Temple parking lot, Southeast Gate parking lot, Xiangquan Roundabout parking lot (self-driving is not highly recommended, there will be traffic jams)

Don't miss the snow scene of Xiangshan if you missed the red leaves of Xiangshan~ Xiangshan covered in white snow, quiet and cold, without hustle and bustle, shuttling in the woods, stepping on the snow crunching, listening to the birdsong and the sound of flowing water, returning to the mountains and fields, going to step on the snow, listen to the birdsong, watch everyone singing loudly in the uninhabited place Location: Xiangshan Park tips: Remember to bring enough warm, anti-slip clothes and shoes, essential climbing sticks, essential hot water, essential food. Those who like skiing can bring their own snowboards~

The 113th patrol in 2023. The temperature this morning is minus five degrees. When I arrived at the north gate parking lot at six thirty, it was still very dark. Looking up, the Polaris at the top of the tall tree crown in the southeast direction was clearly discernible, but the traces of other stars were hard to find, indicating that the weather today is not clear, and the visibility is general. After entering the park, I started to climb the mountain from the climbing path beside the glasses lake. Although the temperature is low, there is no wind at all, so it doesn't feel very cold. At this time, the eastern horizon has shown the glow, the horizon is golden, and it presents a yellow-orange-red gradient trend upward, which is quite gorgeous. Besides the pine and cypress, all other trees on the side of the mountain road have almost no leaves left, and the bare forest looks very desolate. When I came to the 700-step stone steps, I stood on the huge rock beside the road. The scenery in the east is unobstructed. The whole world is filled with a whole group of fog. I can only vaguely see the Jade Spring Mountain. In the farther direction, the CBD high-rise buildings in the east, the exquisite tower at the south gate of the Olympic Forest Park in the northeast, and the central TV tower in the southeast are all only the top is exposed, and most of the bottom is hidden in the fog. This phenomenon should be caused by the large temperature difference between day and night in early winter, the rapid rise of temperature at dawn, the confrontation of cold and warm air, and the formation of fog. And there is no wind this morning, which is not conducive to the dissipation of fog, so this slightly mysterious scene appears. Continue to go up, and come to the huge rock next to the 1600-step stone steps. At this moment, the sun finally shows its head. The red ball slowly rises from the side of the CBD high-rise buildings. The whole process lasts about three minutes. When I walk to the three platforms at the 1900-step stone steps, I just see a complete fireball. The whole mountain is covered with orange warm light. The shadow is projected to the mountain road in front, and it is pulled very long. Today's climbing time is 36 minutes, mainly for exercise. It's cold, it's not suitable to stay too much on the top of the mountain, walk along the wall to the cloud stepping pavilion and then start to go down the mountain. The extremely low clouds on the west side even cover the top of the opposite mountain. The slope and the clouds are reflected into golden yellow by the morning glow, giving people a warm feeling. Today, I walk down the mountain along the big south line, which is equivalent to walking around the wall of Jingyi Garden for a whole circle. Because I walk on the ridge all the way, the view is very open. I can almost overlook the sky and earth in the east all the way. Although the visibility is not high, it is difficult to see specific scenery, but the sun that has just risen is hanging high in the sky, emitting light and heat fiercely. The scene of the morning glow sprinkling all over the sky and earth is still inspiring. Finally, after Qingmo, I went down to the edge of Jingcui Lake. The lake has frozen a thick layer of ice. I just don't know where the fish and ducks in the lake have gone for the winter. From the east gate to the north gate, I saw the little orange cat by the glasses lake today. It hasn't shown up for nearly two months of the red leaf festival. Now that the tourists have retreated, it finally dares to come out for a walk. Little orange is thirsty, goes to the lake to drink water, but the surface of the glasses lake is also frozen, little orange has to find a place where the ice is not firm, find a crack and lick the water hard, it takes a long time to drink enough, then go back to the grass and try to drill into the place where the sun can be sunned. For small animals, winter is always hard.