Mountains are calling — with seasonal spectacles, historic sites, and colorful foliage awaiting. This holiday, let's discover the beauty of Beijing's mountains and countryside in autumn together!
Labagou Virgin Forest Park
It is home to the largest white birch forest in Beijing, with 6,000 hectares of autumn foliage awaiting. Besides the iconic white birch, the area also houses oak, Dahurian larch, Amur linden, David poplar, and painted maple. The primeval woodland landscape offers a perfect place to marvel at the beauty of the mountain forest in autumn.
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Time: Until early October
Address: Labagou Virgin Forest Park
Ticketing: Via the park's WeChat account (北京喇叭沟原始森林公园)
15th Red Leaf Festival (Zhoukoudian)
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The 15th Red Leaf Festival (Zhoukoudian) kicked off on October 1. Pofengling (also known as "Pofeng Ridge") is home to the largest concentration of wild smoke trees in northern China and has been praised by National Geographic as the most spectacular mountain red-leaf landscape in the same region. Across a hillside of about 2,000 mu (roughly 133 hectares), more than 100,000 red-leaf plants (including trees) representing eight varieties, including smoke tree and Shandong maple, create layers of vibrant colors. A 6-kilometer loop trail winds along the mountain, allowing hikers to discover a vibrant tapestry of red, orange, yellow, and green. After a tiring trek, visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee at Shanye Coffee (山野咖啡), have a bowl of authentic hele noodles, and take part in a range of activities based on intangible cultural heritage (ICH).
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Time: October 1 to November 15
Address: Pofengling Scenic Area
Ticketing: Via WeChat account "Jingxi Youlanshan" (京西幽岚山)
A Restorative Getaway at Jinhai Lake
Jinhai Lake is a national 4A-level scenic area, while Bibo Island is a suburban destination famous for its scenery reminiscent of Switzerland. Connected to the shore only by a narrow strip of land, the island is surrounded by mountains on four sides and by water on three sides, with a rolling green lawn spanning 300,000 square meters. Visitors can enjoy boat rides and kayaking. A petting zoo, a non-powered children's playground, and many other experiences also await.
A Cultural Journey to Badaling Great Wall in Yanqing
In the morning, hike to Hero Hill (好汉坡), admire the autumn foliage across the hills, and take a photo at Hero Stele (好汉碑). In the afternoon, you can stroll through the ancient forts, savor authentic local flavors, and take part in ICH handicraft activities. After dusk, stay at Stone Light Hotel (石光长城民宿), and admire the Great Wall under the starry sky from your window.
A Cycling Trip in Mentougou
Autumn is in full swing, making it the perfect time to get on your bike. Come to Mentougou and find a cycling route where you can tackle the climbs amid beautiful scenery.
Recommended Routes
(1) Jietai Temple: An easy start for beginners
Distance: 4.96 km
Total elevation gain: 213 m
The route is short with a manageable elevation gain, making it ideal for cyclists who are new to mountain biking. Along the way, you can take in the mountain views and cultural highlights of western Beijing. It's a beginner-friendly route that offers both an enjoyable riding experience and a sense of accomplishment.
(2) Tanwang Road: An intermediate choice shaded by greenery
Distance: 11.92 km
Total elevation gain: 522 m
Tanwang Road offers a more challenging ride. The route winds through forests and mountains, and its gradient and distance are better suited to cyclists with some riding experience who want to try more advanced climbing.
(3) Miaofeng Mountain: A classic climb for hardcore cyclists
Distance: 19.97 km
Total elevation gain: 858 m
Miaofeng Mountain is a classic climbing route familiar to many road cyclists. The sustained climb makes for a greater challenge and places higher demands on fitness and pacing. As you rise up the mountain, expansive views gradually open up.
(Sources: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Beijing Fabu)
