Royal hunting park in the western hills — most famous for the red maple foliage that draws millions every October.
At a glance
- What it is
- Outdoors
- Also known as
- 香山公园 (Xiāng Shān Gōng Yuán)
- Opening hours
- 6 AM – 6:30 PM
- Time needed
- 4-5 hours
- Best time to visit
- Mid-October to early November (peak red leaves), weekdays only
- Getting there
- Taxi / DiDi from metro
- English
- Some English signage
- Cards accepted
- Cash only
- Entry
- Walk-in — no booking
- Wi-Fi
- No public Wi-Fi
- Address
- 40 Maimai St, Haidian District, Beijing · 海淀区买卖街40号
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Highlights
- Red Maple Foliage (红叶)Smoke-bush trees turn fiery; mid-Oct to early Nov is peak
- Incense Burner Peak Summit557m; 90-120 min hike up, or 18 min chairlift
- Biyun (Azure Cloud) TempleBuddhist complex with Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Avoid Autumn Weekends2M+ visitors in peak weeks; weekday mornings are essential
- Bring LayersSummit is 5-10°C cooler than central Beijing; windy
What Chinese travelers actually do here
Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.
- ▸Skip autumn weekends entirely; weekday mornings are the only realistic way to enjoy peak foliage.
- ▸Ride the chairlift up and walk down to save your legs and still get the views.
- ▸Pack a warm layer; the summit can be 5 to 10 degrees cooler and windy even on mild days.
- ▸Most crowds chase the red leaves and ignore Biyun Temple's Vajra Throne Pagoda; it's worth the detour.
- ▸The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall inside Biyun Temple is a quiet, history-rich corner few foreign visitors find.
- ▸Arrive near opening; the lower red-leaf viewpoints jam up by late morning in October.
- ▸Bring cash for tickets and the chairlift; the park area is cash-only.
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What travelers say (5 reviews)
Frequently asked questions about Fragrant Hills Park
- When is the best time to visit Fragrant Hills for the red leaves?
- Mid-October to early November is peak, when the smoke-bush trees turn fiery red. This is also when over two million visitors arrive, so go on a weekday morning, not a weekend. The park is open year-round and pleasant in spring and summer too, but autumn foliage is the photo-iconic reason most travelers come.
- Do I have to hike to the top of Fragrant Hills?
- No. The hike to the 557-meter Incense Burner Peak takes about 90 to 120 minutes one way, but a chairlift cuts it to roughly 18 minutes. Many visitors ride up and walk down. Bring layers, as the summit runs several degrees cooler and windier than central Beijing.
- How do I get to Fragrant Hills Park?
- It's in the western hills, about 28 km from central Beijing. Take subway Line 16 to Beianhe Station, then bus 360, or take a taxi (45 to 60 minutes from the center). Allow 4 to 5 hours for the visit, and budget extra travel time during peak autumn weeks when roads clog.
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