This Beijing Family Hikes series features kid-friendly hikes in rhythm with the seasons. Spring blooms and fall foliage, wild swims in summer and frozen rivers in winter – we handpick trails that celebrate seasonality and explore Beijing’s ecological and cultural heritage.
“Reading ten thousand books is not as useful as traveling ten thousand miles,” an old proverb goes. Indeed! I wrote earlier about the many benefits of hiking with kids along with tips provided by trusted guide Steven Zhang of Steven’s Hikes, who has trekked thousands of miles across China.
This spring, Steven has selected three trails in and around Beijing where early blooms meet echoes of imperial grandeur – perfect for sparking young imaginations. One is a perennial favorite within city limits; the other two venture further afield. Read on for highlights of each trail, plus ideas on upping the fun factor through scavenger hunts, storytelling, and more.
Give these a go, and if you’d like to share your family’s adventures, we’d love to see your notes and snaps! For information on guided tours, contact Steven on WeChat via the QR code below.
Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest (Yínshān Tǎlín, 银山塔林)
Location: Changping District
Drive time: about 1.5 hours from Liangmaqiao, Beijing
Option A:
- Hiking distance: 9km
- Elevation gain: 500m
- Difficulty level: L3 (suitable for ages 10+)
Option B:
- Hiking distance: 4km
- Elevation gain: 300m
- Difficulty level: L2 (suitable for ages 7+)
Why Go?
From late March to early April, peach blossoms frame a postcard-pretty backdrop to Silver Mountain’s Fahua Temple ruins. A “pagoda forest” of seven pagoda towers dating back to the Jin dynasty gives kids a captivating glimpse into China’s rich Buddhist history. At its peak, this ancient monastic site housed over ten thousand monks!
Terrain: For a more challenging hike for teens, Steven recommends a longer “off-road” approach from the back of Yinshan (Option A), which follows a rugged, rocky path with sections of steeper gradients. For kids under 10, he suggests a shorter “out-and-back” route from the main gate (Option B) following a paved path. Both routes include climbing stairs to the top platform for a mountain panorama, while on the descent pathway, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the pagoda forest.
Fun Factor: The pagoda grounds’ open area is perfect for running around and turning cartwheels. Play an improvised scavenger hunt of who can find a secret cave with rock art? Which pagoda has elaborate relief carvings? Let kids explore like archaeologists in the ruins or channel their inner Indiana Jones on a temple trek.
Snacks: Enjoy ice cream (bīngqílín 冰淇淋) for the kids, cold beer (bīngpíjiǔ 冰啤酒) for the grown-ups, or a full local meal in the nearby village of Xiangtang.
Price: RMB 20 for adults and RMB 5 for children. Purchase at the ticket counter on-site or book one day in advance via WeChat.
Find it:
Yinshan Pagoda Forest Scenic Area
银山塔林风景区
Xihu Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District
昌平区兴寿镇西湖村
Opening hours: 8am-4pm
WeChat: 银山塔林
Qiyin Temple aka “Wild Forbidden City” (Yǎngshān Qíyīn Sì, 仰山棲隱寺)
Location: Mentougou District
Drive time: about 1 hour from Liangmaqiao
Hiking distance: 7km
Elevation gain: 400m
Difficulty level: L2 (suitable for ages 7+)
Why Go?
Imagine the Forbidden City swallowed by forest … in the Taihu Mountains. Over a thousand years old, Qiyin Temple was once a grand royal sanctuary. Destroyed in the Japanese invasion, the site feels frozen in time: Half-standing halls, crumbling stonework, and overgrown paths give it an air of mystery and melancholy, all the more evocative when cherry blossoms appear.
Terrain: While multiple trailheads lead to Qiyin, the child-friendliest route is to start and end at the village of Yingtaogou (樱桃沟). This roughly 7km loop meanders through rocky mountain paths and narrow dirt tracks, with modest elevation gain and a few steep sections. The route is mostly exposed with little shade, and dry bushes can be scratchy, so don long sleeves and long trousers. Watch out for trail forks and occasional loose gravel; good shoes and sun protection are a must. The abandoned temple sits at the midway point, an atmospheric pause in the heart of the hills.
Fun Factor: Bring along a printed photo of the temple from the 1920s and play “then and now” – what’s changed, what’s still there? It’s a low-key way to spark curiosity about history. In late May, pop into one of the cherry orchards on the trail, where, for a small fee, your hungry young hikers can pick and feast on cherries.
Snacks: Enjoy a panoramic picnic with views over the yellow-tiled roofs of the temples at the top of the hill. Yingtaogou village also has a restaurant.
Price: Free
Find it:
Yangshan Qiyin Zen Temple
仰山棲隱禪寺
50 meters north of Yingtaogou Folk Tourism Village, Mentougou District
门头沟区樱桃沟民俗旅游村北50米
Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan Gongyuan, 香山公园)
Location: Haidian District
Drive time: about 30 min from Liangmaqiao
Hiking distance: 4km
Elevation gain: 400m
Difficulty level: L1 (suitable for ages 5+)
Why go? Xiangshan is a serene escape west of the Summer Palace and easily accessible via metro, just one stop past the National Botanical Gardens. True to its name, the spring air in this former imperial garden is sweet with plum blossoms, violet cress, and wildflowers, while towering evergreens provide welcome shade as the days warm up.
Terrain: “Choose your own adventure” among a network of footpaths, from gentle paved steps to steeper, wooded detours. Go up one way and down another, letting kids lead the route (the park is well-signposted). The final ascent gets steeper and less shaded, but the top deck rewards hikers with a pavilion teahouse and sweeping views over Beijing. Dance a summit jig and see who can spot landmarks like the Summer Palace’s vast lake or CBD’s iconic skyline.
Fun Factor: Don’t miss Temple of Azure Clouds (Bìyún Sì, 碧云寺) located at the park’s eastern end, which houses a dizzying 512 Bodhisattva statues! Local lore says to pick a number, then count off the statues – whichever you land on is your protector. A plaque reveals their special powers, and for a few kuai, you can take home a protective amulet card as a souvenir.
Snacks: The Commerce Street along the south gate has a mix of teashops and street food, or get quirky ice creams and chocolates at a Russophile convenience store.
Price:
RMB 10 for adults and RMB 5 for children.
Find it:
40 Maimaijie, Haidian District
北京市海淀区买卖街40号
Metro: Fragrant Hills Station (香山站) on the Xijiao Line
Opening hours: 6am-6.30pm last entry
Images: Uyanga Jaeckels, Tara Fegelein, Steven’s Hikes
