Looking for the autumn colors without traveling far? These urban parks in Beijing are all easily accessible by subway and are now at their best autumn views. Grab your camera and go out to enjoy the season

Summer Palace

Take Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station. The Summer Palace has a carefully designed layout, with beautiful autumn scenes at every turn. In the Garden of Harmonious Pleasures (谐趣园), the leaves of large-fruited elms are turning into a warm shade of orange, offering ideal opportunities for framed shots. Along the Houxi River, ginkgo, ash, and Shantung maples are gradually changing their colors, creating a diverse autumn landscape. A walk along the West Causeway will offer you a sweeping view of Kunming Lake.

Best time to enjoy the autumn foliage: Late October to mid-November

Recommended routes:

Gengzhitu (耕织图) Scenic Area (traditional Chinese garden paths and autumn waterscapes) → Houxi River (corridor of colorful foliage) → Garden of Harmonious Pleasures (autumn charm amid classical architecture)

Xiuyi Bridge (scenic waterfront lined with reeds) → West Causeway (autumn views of the lake) → East Causeway (panoramic views)

Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park

Take Subway Line 4 to Yuanmingyuan Park Station. Near Pingxiang Pavilion (蘋香榭), gentle breezes will send golden leaves drifting through the air. Along Ginkgo Avenue, fan-shaped golden leaves form a spectacular canopy. In the Lion Grave Garden (狮子林) area, maple leaves turn red after the first frost, complementing the rugged rockeries and evoking the tranquil charm of traditional Jiangnan gardens.

Best time to enjoy the autumn foliage: Early November

China National Botanical Garden

Take the Xijiao Line to China National Botanical Garden Station. The dawn redwood grove in the Cherry Valley (樱桃沟) is one of Beijing's signature autumn attractions and is now at its best. The trees lining the stream are gradually turning reddish-brown. The misting system in the grove will operate from 9:00 to 10:00 each day from October 31 to November 8. Around North Lake, trees including Shantung maples, golden-branch pagoda trees, and dawn redwoods are gradually changing their colors, forming a layered band of autumn foliage. Other unmissable highlights include Xuanqiu Garden (绚秋苑) and the Shumu Garden (树木园).

Five Pagodas Temple (Zhenjue Temple)

Standing within the temple grounds is a Vajrasana Pagoda dating back approximately 600 years. Two ancient ginkgo trees in front of the pagoda are at their best views from late October to mid-November. Orange-red persimmons hang from nearby branches, creating a picturesque autumn scene alongside the golden ginkgo leaves and the ancient pagoda.

Service hours: 9:00–17:00, Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays.

Admission fee: 20 yuan

Olympic Forest Park

Take Subway Line 8 to Forest Park South Gate Station. The park offers a wide variety of autumn foliage, with golden ginkgo trees, fiery-red staghorn sumac, colorful maple trees, and swaying reeds together creating a vibrant autumn landscape. Popular photo spots include the ginkgo grove west of Aohai Lake in the South Park, the Ecological Corridor Bridge, and the Flower Fields in the North Park.

Best time to enjoy the autumn foliage: Mid-to-late October through November

Niantan Park

Take Subway Line 4 to Yihezhuang Station. The park is within walking distance from the station. Its ginkgo trees have turned golden yellow, and its 700 mu (approximately 47 hectares) of open water provides the best setting for enjoying the autumn foliage and watching wild ducks. With facilities including a large sandy beach, an amusement park, and fitness areas, the park is ideal for a family outing or a stroll.

Beijing Garden Expo Park

Take Subway Line 14 directly to Garden Expo Park Station. The park's Ginkgo Avenue is covered with golden foliage, while maple trees and smoke trees are gradually changing their colors. The park has introduced several autumn tour routes. You can climb Yongding Tower for a panoramic view of the surrounding hills or take a boat ride to enjoy the autumn scenery from the water. Its cafes, children's play areas, fast-food restaurants, and water activities at Jishi Pier are all open to visitors.

Garden Expo Park opening hours: 7:30–18:00 from November 1, 2026 to March 14, 2027;

Yongding Tower opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 only on weekends and public holidays from March 21 to November 15, with an admission fee of 40 yuan. Visitors can buy tickets in advance via the park's mini-program or buy tickets on site.

Water Shuttle Service

Route: Yongsen Pier ⇌ Jishi Pier (service suspended from November 15)

Fare: 3 yuan per person (promotional fare)

To buy your tickets, please follow the official WeChat service account "Two Parks and One River" (两园一河) → Select "Ticket Purchase" (购票入口) in the menu → Choose "Water Shuttle Ticket Purchase" (水上专线购票).

(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)