[Photo via The Beijing News]

Autumn is the most splendid season of the year when leaves turn into "flowers." Beijing is now decorated with bright yellow ginkgo trees and red maple trees. Aside from the famous Xiangshan Park in the western suburbs of Beijing, there are many other places to see autumn leaves in the capital.

1. The Olympic Forest Park

The Olympic Forest Park is a large, man-made nature park situated in northern Beijing. It boasts lush forests and a well-preserved wetland. Every spring and autumn, flocks of migratory birds stop over there, as Beijing is on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.  

2. The China National Botanical Garden

Occupying a land area of about 600 hectares, the China National Botanical Garden is divided into two parts: the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (south garden) and the Beijing Botanical Garden (north garden). It is now home to more than 15,000 species of plants under ex-situ conservation.

3. The Yaowang Valley Scenic Area

The Yaowang Valley Scenic Area in Fangshan District, Beijing is home to plenty of European smoke trees. The tree gets its name from its wispy "smoke-like" appearance when viewed en masse. Autumn arrives there earlier due to its high altitude.