[Photo via VCG]

On October 8, Badaling National Forest Park witnessed the launch of its 16th Red Leaf Ecological Culture Festival. The Park has become Beijing's first scenic area where red leaves can be observed. The red leaves spanning over a 1,000-mu area in the Red Leaf Ridge Scenic Area (hereinafter referred to as the "Area") have entered their best-viewing period starting around October 15 and lasting until early November.

The Area is located between the Badaling and Shuiguan sections of the Great Wall, providing tourists with the opportunity to appreciate the splendor of autumn at the Great Wall, with many other view spots, such as Wanglongtai and Tenglongtai, where tourists can get a panoramic view of Badaling Great Wall.

The viewing period consists of three phases. Every year, in early October, tourists can observe the first phase of coloring leaves. The best-viewing period lasts from mid-October to the month's latter days. The first 10 days of November typically signal the end of autumn and the beginning of winter with most of the leaves falling from the trees.

Routes:

By train: Take the train of Suburban Railway Line S2 at Beijing North Railway Station and get off at Badaling Station, then walk 2,600 meters towards the Great Wall.

By car: Take Shuiguan Great Wall exit on Badaling Expressway, then drive 1,500 meters to reach the parking lot of Badaling National Forest Park.

By bus: Take the shuttling Bus 877 which reaches Qianshan Parking Lot of Badaling Great Wall from Deshengmen Station, and, after getting off the bus, walk backwards 400 meters to arrive at the entrance of the Area.

(Source: Ynet.com, Official Website of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality)