Fragrant Hills Park

Fragrant Hills Park is a large imperial garden at the foot of Beijing’s Western Hills. The name is derived from the park’s highest peak, Xianglu Feng (Incense Burner Peak), which stands 557m high. The area is particularly popular in autumn, when the leaves of the many maple trees turn bright red. The park is approximately a 30 CNY taxi ride west of the Summer Palace.

Entry to the park costs 10 CNY, after which point you are free to roam and explore, and take the steep hike up the mountain. On a clear day the peak offers stunning views of the Beijing skyline. If you’d rather not hike, you can take a cable car to the top for 60 CNY (children below 1.2m 20 CNY). Note that you will have to pay again if you want to take the cable car back down.

Do not leave Fragrant Hills Park without visiting the Temple of Azure Clouds, one of Beijing’s most beautiful Buddhist temples (admission 10 CNY). The temple, which was first built during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), is built on six levels that gradually ascend the slope of the mountain, culminating in the stunning Vajrasana Pagoda. Don’t miss the Hall of Arhats, which is home to more than 500 statues of arhats (a high-ranking Buddhist saint).

Temple of Azure Clouds