While the internet is busy making memes about pumpkin spice latte season, here in Beijing – where we’re sorely deprived of the iconic autumnal beverage – we’ve got something else that we can share online, announcing to friends far and wide that fall is upon us: ginkgo leaves!

That’s right, we’re currently in the midst of that short window of time when the capital’s ginkgo leaves turn a golden shade of yellow. So without further ado, here’s our list of where to snap the best photos before the trees take on their barren, winter look.

Sanlitun Dong Wu Jie 5 aka Embassy Street (三里屯东五街)
Throughout the rest of the year, this is the serene street where many embassies are housed, but every October and November this area becomes an unofficial tourist destination for photography enthusiasts. The street is open to the public and only requires a Health Kit scan to enter. What’s more, it’s a particular favorite for parents thanks to its minimal traffic.

Fragrant Hills Park  (香山公园 xiāng shān gōng yuán)
The best time to visit the annual Fragrant Hills Red Leaves Festival is mid-week or early in the day to avoid the crowds. Put another way, it’s a veritable tourist magnet, so weekends and peak times can get uncomfortably crowded. Years ago, the government planted maple trees, blanketing the area with warm reds, oranges, and golds. Pro tip: Snag a couple of leaves from the ground and bring them home for fun crafts. Oh, and if you have time, check out the nearby Jingcui Lake, Heshun Gate, Fragrant Hill Temple, and Yuhua Villa.

40 Maimaijie, Haidian District, Beijing
北京市海淀区买卖街40号

Ditan Park (地坛公园 dì tán gōng yuán)
This well known Temple Fair location is a hidden gem brimming with golden leaves and ginkgo trees. The park has spacious tree-lined paths, which are wide enough to push a stroller and capture some really nice family photos. The whole nearby Gulou neighborhood is great for a day out as well, with plenty of charming hutong shops and restaurants.

A2 Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District
t东城区安定门外大街甲2号

Yuyuantan Park (玉渊潭公园 yù yuān tán gōng yuán)
The park boasts nearly 1,000 ginkgo trees painting the area with stunning golds and yellows. What’s more, it’s rich in history, as this was a favorite spot of royals and now hosts heads of states and other high level foreign dignitaries at its Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Local families particularly enjoy the two play areas within the park, followed by a visit to the nearby Military Museum.

10 Xisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District
海淀区西三环中路10号

Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城 mù tián yù cháng chéng)
A much better alternative to the super crowded Badaling Great Wall section, Mutianyu provides a peaceful setting where you can soak in the vivid colors of the changing leaves. The area is home to more than 280,000 different species of trees and its panoramic views are breathtaking. Pro tip: The Brickyard Inn and Resort offers comfortable accommodations and activities making this place a great weekend getaway spot.

Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District 
怀柔区渤海镇慕田峪村

KEEP READING: Pics or It Didn’t Happen! Family-Friendly Photographers in Beijing

Images: Mina Yan

Pick the leaves or take great photos at one of these out of town locations this fall before it gets any colder. This is part two of a two-part series. Check here for part one.

Mangshan National Forest Park 蟒山国家森林公园
Located near the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changing District and standing at 8,200 hectares, this is the largest forest park in Beijing. The park contains the largest stone-carved Buddha in northern China. You can be sure to get a workout in this place because of the 3,666 steps it takes to get to the highest peak. The park has over 170 trees and flowers.

RMB 20 (adults), RMB 10 (students and seniors). Daily 8am-5pm. 2 Mangshan Lu, Changping District (6071 1866) www.msforestpark.com/lianxi.asp 昌平区蟒山路2号

Beigong National Forest Park 北宫国家森林公园
A favorite spot for bird-watching, the 1,800 hectare park has a section called “100 Species of Bird” and is a worthy option for viewing the changing season. The park features a lake, a fruit orchard, a 240m-high viewing platform, and several scenic spots.

RMB 10. Daily 6.30am-8pm (Apr 1-Nov 30), 7am-5pm (Dec 1-Mar 31). 55 Dahuiguang Donglu, Changxindian Town, Fengtai District (8384 0830) 丰台区长辛店镇大灰厂东路55号

Badaling National Forest Park 八达岭森林公园
This park has over 50,000 maple trees over 56 hectares that attracts droves of people attend the Red Festival each fall. This park is located fairly close to the Badaling Great Wall section. Be sure to go when there are less people, early morning (which might be colder so dress warmly) or late afternoon.

RMB 35. Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-5.30pm (summer), daily 9am-4pm (winter). South across the highway from Badaling Great Wall Center, Yanqing County (6912 1842/2591) 延庆县八达岭长城南

Baiwangshan 百望山
This area is filled with imported maple trees from the US and Holland. The two areas that are most important to get a good view of the area are: the Friendship Pavilion and Langfeng Pavilion. To gain access to the Friendship Pavilion, one has to walk though a flat path that’s surrounded by trees. The Lanfeng Pavilion offers a panoramic view from the top of the mountain.

RMB 6. Daily 8am-5pm. 19 Heihu Beikou, Haidian District (6288 4508, 6287 7730) 海淀区黑山扈北口19号（近颐和园）

Mutianyu Great Wall 慕田峪长城
The better alternative to the super crowded Badaling Great Wall section, Mutianyu provides a peaceful setting to soak in the different colors of the changing leaves. The area is home to over 280,000 different species of tress and the panoramic view is breathtaking. The Brickyard Inn and Resort offers comfortable accommodations and activities making this place a great weekend getaway spot.

RMB 45/adult, RMB 25/child 12 and under. Daily 7.30am-5.30pm (Nov-Mar), 7am-6pm (Apr-Oct). Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District  (6162 6505, 6162 6022) 怀柔区渤海镇慕田峪村

Hongluo Temple 红螺寺
You will find northern China’s largest Buddhist temples located here. Hongluo offers tree-lined paths leading up the mountain or a panoramic view from the peak via the cable car to Guanyin Temple.

RMB 54. Cable car RMB 60 (roundtrip), RMB 40 (one-way). Daily 8am-5.30pm (summer), 8am-4.30pm (winter). 2 Hongluo Donglu, Hongluoshan, Yanxi Town, Huairou District (6068 1175) www.hongluosi.com 怀柔区雁栖镇红螺山下红螺东路2号

Miaofeng Mountian 妙峰山
The home of goddesses, Miaofeng Mountain is home to ancient temples, summer roses, and the rock formations that have made this area famous. Look out for deep valleys, breathtaking views of the hills, and dramatic rock outcroppings.

RMB 30. Daily 7am-6pm (summer), 8am-5pm (winter). Miaofengshan Township, Mentougou District (6188 2936) 门头沟区妙峰山镇

Photo: Chinadaily.com.cn

Fall is the season of choice for many in Beijing. There’s so much to see and do before the winter cold confines most people indoors. In recent days, the air quality index (AQI) recordings have been high, which has resulted in many people limiting their time outdoors. Also, Beijing is expected to experience it’s coldest winter according to a report by the Beijinger.

Before we hit mid-November, when the leaves become dry or completely fall down, one must visit these 13 spots to snap family photos with beautiful, scenic views for your Beijing memory photo album book. This is part one, check out part two tomorrow. These locations are both close to and far from the city, thus providing more options for magnificent views:

Peking and Tsinghua University Campuses
These two universities might fight for bragging rights on which is the best in the middle kingdom but one commonality they share is that both are quiet locations where families can head over to see the fall foliage on the weekends (weekdays are busier due to class).

Peking University (Beida) 北京大学
Free. 8am-9pm. 5 Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District (6275 1230/1) www.pku.edu.cn 海淀区颐和园路5号

Tsinghua University 清华大学
Free. 8am-9am. Chengfu Lu, Haidian District (6278 9437, 8286 3785) www.tsinghua.edu.cn 海淀区成府路

Fragrant Hills Park  (香山公园)
The annual Fragrant Hills Red Leaves Festival is best visited mid-week or early in the day to avoid the crowds. This festival is a tourist magnet that’s best avoided during the weekend or peak times. Years ago, the government planted maple tress that blanket the area with the warm colors of red, orange, and gold. Pick the leaves and head home to do some crafts. If you have time then check out Jingcui Lake, Heshun Gate, Fragrant Hill Temple, and Yuhua Villa.

RMB 5 (Nov 1 to Mar 31), RMB 10 (Apr 1 to Oct 31). Daily 6am-6.30pm. 40 Maimaijie, Haidian District, Beijing (6259 1155) www.xiangshanpark.com 北京市海淀区买卖街40号

Ditan Park 地坛公园
This well known Temple Fair location is a hidden gem of golden leaves because of the many ginkgo trees. The park has spacious paths, which are aligned with trees big enough to push a stroller and snap some really nice family photos. The area is an entertaining section for kids. To make a day out of it, head over to Gulou area to see the hutong shops and restaurants.

RMB 2, RMB 1 (students). Daily 6am-9pm. A2 Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6421 4657) www.dtpark.com 东城区安定门外大街甲2号

Yuyuantan Park 玉渊潭公园
The park boasts nearly 1,000 ginkgo trees that blanket the area with stunning golds and yellows. This area is rich in history as it was a favorite spot for the royals and now hosts heads of states and other high level foreign dignitaries at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Local families like the two play areas within the park. Head to the Military Museum after visiting the park.

RMB 2, RMB 1 (students). Daily 6am-9.30pm (summer), daily 6.30am-7pm (winter). 10 Xisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District (8865 3800) www.yytpark.com
 海淀区西三环中路10号

Jinhai Lake 金海湖水上公园
The area claims to be home to Asia’s largest peach orchard. Jinghai Lake is located two hours from the CBD and surrounded by lush hills that have pavilions, caves, rock formations and a good hiking trail, fishing spot, and adventurous activities such as kayaking. The paths are lined with trees and you can see the different leaves discoloration. This area is a hot favorite for the native Beijing ren.

RMB 28 for adults, RMB 14 for students, PLA officers, and seniors over the age of 60, free for journalists and retirees. Daily 8am-5.30pm. Haizi Reservoir, Pinggu District (6999 1356/3943) 平谷区海子水库

Badachu Park 八大处公园 (also known as Eight Great Temples)
Badachu is well known for its eight ancient temples and is also known as Eight Great Temples. The park is located two hours in the mountain area south of the Xishan scenic spot. Since it’s renovation this tourist hot spot is popular with tour company’s during the seasonal changes with the leaves changing in fall and cherry blossoms in spring. The hiking trail has shrines and temples and a cable car (RMB 60) is available if the family is too tired.

RMB 10. Daily 6am-7pm (summer), 6am-6pm (winter). Badachu Lu,Shijingshan District (8896 4661) www.badachu.com.cn 石景山区八大处路

Photo: thebeijinger.com

The first snow always makes this Canadian extra giddy. I can’t stop smiling all day. I feel full of pure joy, like a kid, and I spend any forced indoor time staring out the windows, eager to get outdoors to play in it.

That’s exactly what this past week was for me – the first real snow on Friday the November 6 – and I was thrilled that a planned trip to the Fragrant Hills to photograph the leaves didn’t get cancelled. 

I expected a small crowd at the Xiangshan Park, but it was a typical day with large tourist groups and school class trips. The air was frigid, but the blankets of snow draped across low limbs of trees were enough to warm us up with excitement. We snapped pictures of the perfectly smooth, clean, white layer upon nature’s jagged edges, the sparkling ice on newly turned orange autumn leaves, the cozy nooks of winter stillness so rarely seen in this climate.

I have never walked the full park and this day was no exception. It was too cold. My companions weren’t dressed properly and this Canadian had no extra gloves or lined boots on offer. They were shivering and ready for the warm car long before I was. Nevertheless, even though outnumbered, it didn’t dim my smile.

Since living in Beijing, I have come to appreciate snow so much more. It’s what we miss most that we learn to value. When we eventually move back to Canada, I have vowed to never curse the snow and appreciate the hushed hibernation it offers in winter. My Canadian family members laugh. “You just wait,” they say. “We’ll see if you can manage smiling throughout an entire Canadian winter!”

Photos: Courtesy of Ember Swift

In the October issue of beijingkids, we compiled a list of places to see the fall leaves. Although with all of this snow the autumn foliage might be a little damp, if you act fast you can still pick up some leaves and try the following crafts at home.

Leaf People
have your kids create an entire leaf family by drawing the faces of the under side of the leaf and even use different colored leaves for different members of the family.

Leaf Tree
This is bound to get messy. Paint your leaves different colors and press the painted surface on a clean sheet of paper before the paint dries to create a beautiful tree.

Thanksgiving Wall Art
A great way to get ready for the holiday. Get an old board or picture frame and have the kid(s) glue leaves into the shape of a turkey or maple leaf. Use multi-colored leaves to get a more dramatic effect.

Leaf Lanterns
Create lanterns by gluing leaves inside a glass jar, (for example using mod podge which can be bought on Taobao).

Leaf Place Cards
For a personal touch at Thanksgiving dinner let kids create their own place cards. Head to the nearest art supply store for stiff art paper then add leaves, paint, glitter, and write people’s names using a sharpie.

Look for other fall crafts leaves ideas on www.diycrafts.com

Photo: diycrafts.com