[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Baihua Mountain Sceneic Area (Updated Oct)

#hellohalloween Few places near Beijing capture the changing moods of nature quite like Baihua Mountain (百花山). Rising above the city’s edge, this trail shifts from quiet fog to golden autumn fire—all in one unforgettable hike. 🏔️ 🌫️ Morning – Into the Mist Starting early, the forest was wrapped in silver fog. The world felt hushed, every tree like a ghostly outline. We moved through still air and damp leaves, the smell of rain and earth guiding us deeper into the woods. 🌲 Late Morning – Through the Birch Forests The trail opened into a serene birch grove—tall, slender trunks disappearing into mist. The silence was cinematic, broken only by footsteps and the whisper of wind. These foggy woods alone make the hike worth it. 🍂 Noon – The Climb to the Ridge As the sun fought through the haze, autumn’s palette appeared: golds, crimsons, and russets lit up the slopes. Hiking poles in hand, we climbed steadily to the ridge, every turn revealing new layers of color. 🌄 Afternoon – Summit Views By early afternoon, the fog cleared completely. The horizon stretched for miles—rolling mountains fading into blue. A perfect spot to rest, eat, and watch clouds drift over Beijing’s western peaks. 🍁 Evening – Descent Through the Maples The descent was pure poetry. Sunlight filtering through fiery leaves, a golden carpet beneath our feet. The trail turned into a tunnel of color—nature’s grand finale before winter arrives. ✨ Pro Tip: Visit in late October for peak foliage, bring layers (the summit gets chilly), and start before 8 a.m. to catch the morning mist.

#hellohalloween Just an hour from Beijing lies Mount Baihua (百花山) — a stunning escape where cliffs, forests, and misty horizons paint a picture of tranquility. 🍃 🧗 Climb the legendary “Stairway to Heaven” — carved directly into the rock — and feel the thrill of standing above the clouds. From scenic pavilions to quiet stone paths, every turn reveals new layers of light and landscape. 🐱 Keep an eye out for the mountain’s friendliest residents — the local cats who seem to guard the trails and rest stops. They add a touch of warmth to this rugged paradise. 📸 Whether you’re chasing morning light or simply seeking stillness, Mount Baihua offers both adventure and calm — a poetic balance that feels worlds away from the city below.

I. Handpicked Niche Autumn Foliage Viewing Destinations These places are not overdeveloped and focus more on natural wilderness and hiking exploration. 1. Huairou District - Labagoumen Primeval Forest Park • Why it's Niche: Located at the northernmost tip of Beijing, it boasts Beijing's largest primeval secondary forest and is known as "Northern Beijing's Highest Peak." Its distance from the city center (about 160 km) effectively filters out most tourists. • Autumn Foliage Highlights: ◦ Vibrant Colors: More than just red leaves, this area features various tree species like maple, acer, oak, and birch. Golden, fiery red, and orange hues interweave, creating extremely rich and layered colors. ◦ Birch Forest: A unique, vast birch forest in Beijing, where golden leaves paired with straight white trunks make for excellent photos, giving it a Nordic forest feel. ◦ Hiking Experience: The scenic area is very large, with three viewing routes: Nanhouling, Baizhangya, and Glacier. Hiking through them feels like being in a natural autumn art gallery. • Best Time: Early October to late October (1-2 weeks earlier than the city center) • Tips: Be sure to leave early as the journey is long; hiking in the scenic area requires some stamina, so wear comfortable shoes. 2. Miyun District - Yunmeng Mountain National Forest Park • Why it's Niche: Compared to the neighboring Taoyuanxian Valley and Gubei Water Town, Yunmeng Mountain appears more primitive and wild, focusing on mountains, water, forests, and pools, with relatively dispersed visitors. • Autumn Foliage Highlights: ◦ Mountains and Water Reflecting Each Other: The autumn colors reflecting on the waters of Heilongtan and Yanqi Lake make the scenery doubly enchanting. ◦ Ascend for Panoramic Views: The main peak is 1414 meters above sea level. Reaching the summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of Miyun Reservoir and continuous colorful mountains. ◦ Strong Layering: Due to altitude differences, the autumn colors gradually change from the foot of the mountain to the summit, extending the viewing period. • Best Time: Mid-October to early November • Tips: The hiking intensity is moderate; you can take some cable cars to save energy. It can be combined with a visit to the nearby Heilongtan Scenic Area. 3. Yanqing District - Wild Duck Lake National Wetland Park • Why it's Niche: This is a unique "wetland autumn scenery," completely different from pure mountain landscapes, and a secret paradise for birdwatchers and photographers. • Autumn Foliage Highlights: ◦ Ocean of Reeds: In autumn, vast expanses of reeds turn golden, swaying in the wind, glowing warmly in the sunset, creating a very dreamy scene. ◦ Migratory Birds: This is the peak season for migratory birds, where you can see flocks of water birds flying and resting in the golden wetlands, combining movement and stillness for a highly picturesque view. ◦ Cycling or Hiking: The park has flat cycling paths and walking boardwalks, allowing you to leisurely traverse this golden world. • Best Time: Late October to mid-November • Tips: It can be windy, so pay attention to wind protection and warmth; bringing binoculars enhances the birdwatching experience. 4. Mentougou District - Baihua Mountain / Lingshan • Why it's Niche: A hiking sanctuary in western Beijing, even more sparsely populated in autumn, filled with the vast autumn charm of alpine meadows. • Autumn Foliage Highlights: ◦ Alpine Meadow Autumn Colors: Unlike forest autumn colors, the vegetation in alpine meadows turns yellow and red, connecting with the distant blue sky and white clouds, creating an open and vast landscape with a hint of grassland feel. ◦ Hiking Challenge: Suitable for outdoor hiking enthusiasts, experiencing the crisp autumn air during the climb. ◦ "Beijing's Roof": Lingshan is Beijing's highest peak, and reaching the summit in autumn brings a great sense of accomplishment. • Best Time: Late September to mid-October (higher altitude, so autumn arrives earlier) • Tips: The temperature at the summit is extremely low, and the wind is very strong, so a thickened, windproof, and warm outdoor jacket is essential. Check the scenic area's opening status in advance. 5. Fangshan District - Puwa Township • Why it's Niche: Known as "Beijing's Little Tibet," its terrain is high and rugged, hidden deep in the mountains and largely undiscovered. This is not a specific attraction but an entire area, very suitable for self-driving. • Autumn Foliage Highlights: ◦ Mountain Road Autumn Colors: The famous "Hongjing Road" winds and twists, and driving along it, the forests on both sides are ablaze with color, with every turn revealing a picturesque scene. ◦ Mountain Terraces: The local terraces and farmhouses blend with the autumn colors, full of rustic pastoral charm, making it a great place for capturing cultural landscapes. ◦ Extreme Tranquility: There are almost no tour groups, allowing you to enjoy an entire mountain wilderness to yourself. • Best Time: Mid to late October • Tips: Self-driving is a must; you can stay in local characteristic guesthouses like "Forest Countryside" for a deeper experience of autumn in the mountains. II. Practical Tips 1. Transportation: Self-driving is highly recommended. Public transportation to most of these destinations is inconvenient, and self-driving allows for flexible and in-depth exploration. Check your vehicle condition in advance and drive carefully on mountain roads. 2. Best Time: The autumn foliage period in Beijing's mountainous areas is short and gradually changes from north to south, and from high to low altitudes. Mid-October to early November is the best window. Before traveling, be sure to check recent real photos on social media (Xiaohongshu, Douyin) to determine if the leaves have changed color, to avoid a wasted trip. 3. Equipment Recommendations: ◦ Clothing: Mountain areas have extreme temperature differences, so be sure to use a "layering system" (inner wicking, middle insulation, outer windproof). A windproof jacket, fleece, and warm hat are essential. ◦ Footwear: Comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes or athletic shoes are crucial. ◦ Supplies: Bring enough hot water and high-energy food (chocolate, nuts, etc.), as supply points are scarce in some areas. 4. Leave No Trace: Protect the environment and take all your trash with you. 5. Safety First: Signal is weak in many niche areas, so avoid going alone to undeveloped wild mountains and paths. Download offline maps in advance and inform your family of your itinerary. We hope this guide helps you find your desired autumn scenery in the Beijing suburbs and enjoy a quiet and splendid autumn!

Beijing Baicaopan is part of the Fangshan World Geopark and one of the main peaks of Baihua Mountain, with an elevation of 2,161 meters. It is known as the "Highest Peak in Southwest Beijing." Located in Xayunling Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, it is a scenic area famous for its alpine meadows, sea of clouds, and sunrises. Core Highlights and Features 1. Rare Alpine Meadows: The summit features large areas of natural meadows, covered with wildflowers in spring and summer, colorful and vibrant. The name "Baicaopan" comes from this. 2. Magnificent Sea of Clouds: Due to the high elevation, a vast sea of clouds often appears after rain or in the early morning, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 3. Charming Birch Forest: On the way up, you will pass through extensive native birch forests, with a serene environment and unique scenery. 4. "Overlooking All Other Mountains" View: As the highest peak in western Beijing, standing on the summit offers a panoramic view of the surrounding towering mountains. 5. Summer Resort: The average temperature in summer is much lower than in the city, making it a rare cool retreat near Beijing. Opening Hours: Usually open from late April to late October each year, daily from about 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. · Ticket Price: Approximately 40 RMB per person (prices may change, please refer to the official notice on the day). · Location: Simatai Village, Xiayunling Township, Fangshan District, Beijing. · Best Visiting Seasons: · May to August: Best time for flower viewing and summer cooling, with green meadows and blooming mountain flowers. · September to October: Cool and refreshing autumn weather, perfect for enjoying the colorful autumn foliage. · Suggested Visit Duration: It is recommended to reserve a full day for the visit. Travel Planning Suggestions 1. Transportation: · Self-driving (highly recommended): Navigate to "Baicaopan Natural Scenic Area." It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from downtown Beijing. The mountain roads are winding, so drive carefully. · Public Transportation: Very inconvenient. You can take the subway or bus to Fangshan District, then transfer to Fangshan Line buses (such as F20, F25) to "Simatai Village" stop, and then possibly take a taxi. This method is strongly discouraged due to time consumption and uncertainty. 2. Touring Routes: · The scenic area offers shuttle buses (ticket required) that transport visitors from the entrance to the mid-mountain area. It is strongly recommended to take the shuttle to save energy and time. · From the shuttle bus terminal, there are two main routes: · Little Meadow Route: Relatively gentle, this is the core area for viewing alpine meadows and birch forests. · Main Peak Route: Requires some physical effort to climb but offers the best views, ideal for watching sunrise, sunset, and the sea of clouds. · The usual itinerary is to take the shuttle bus first, then hike to the little meadow, and decide whether to climb the main peak based on your energy and time.

Qiulinpu is located at the southernmost end of Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, at the foot of Baihua Mountain in western Beijing, with rich natural scenery resources. Qiulinpu is surrounded by dense forests, with extensive vegetation such as pine trees, birch forests, and oak forests. Every autumn, the forest is dyed in layers, colorful, like a palette overturned by nature. Nature is an amazing magician, able to conjure up a sea of clouds and make mountains disappear; able to make plants colorful and instantly hide the colorful autumn colors in the mist, like a layer of gauze. The village underfoot is looming, and the scenery is beautiful. Walking into Qiulinpu is like stepping into a golden fairy tale world. Every fallen leaf is like a decoration carefully arranged by nature, rustling under your feet, the most beautiful melody of autumn. Address: Qiulinpu Village, Fangshan District, Beijing Navigation: Qiulinpu - Baihua Mountain - Qiulinpu Loop Transportation: Self-driving is recommended Tips: Hiking shoes, trekking poles, food and water