Xiangshan – Beijing Kids https://www.beijing-kids.com Tue, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 First Real Snow: Photography at Fragrant Hills Park https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2015/11/12/first-real-snow-photography-at-fragrant-hills-park/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2015/11/12/first-real-snow-photography-at-fragrant-hills-park/#respond

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

]]> https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2015/11/12/first-real-snow-photography-at-fragrant-hills-park/feed/ 0 Top 10 Places in Beijing to Watch the Leaves Change (Part 2) https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/11/23/top-10-places-in-beijing-to-watch-the-leaves-change-part-2/ https://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/2013/11/23/top-10-places-in-beijing-to-watch-the-leaves-change-part-2/#respond  

After enjoying a week of blue-sky days, we felt inspired to direct you towards some of Beijing’s best spots to view red leaves. The list below picks up where the first one left off.
 
Go on a weekday if you can, as these places can get extremely busy on the weekends. Shunyi-dwellers with a car needn’t worry; you can get to your destination even on no-drive days since all of these scenic spots can be accessed via Fifth and Sixth Ring Roads. Click on each link for complete addresses.

  

1. Beigong National Forest Park北宫森林公园
Said to be second only to Xiangshan as a place to view red leaves. This 9km2 park has many scenic spots, with mountain peaks, ridges, a fruit orchard, and a 240-meter high viewing platform from which visitors can admire panoramic views of the park and nearby villages. Take a break at the “100 Species of Birds Forest” and enjoy the clean air before heading back to town.
 
•   Distance: 31km from the city center, 58km from Shunyi via North Fifth Ring Road
•   Opening hours: 6.30am-8pm (Apr 1-Nov 30), 7am-5pm (Dec 1-Mar 31)
•   Admission prices: RMB 10 

 

Named after the mountain’s resemblance to a snake (mang means boa constrictor), this national park is the largest forest area around Beijing, at 82km2. It is located near the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District and is a popular hiking venue, with tourists often climbing the 3,666 steps to the highest peak. The park also boasts the largest stone-carved Buddha in North China. 
 
•   Distance: 55km from the city center, 47km from Shunyi via North Sixth Ring Road
•   Opening hours: Daily, 8am-5pm
•   Admission prices: RMB 20
 
At over 2,000 meters above sea level, this is the highest peak in Beijing. It is famous for alpine meadows, as well as plants and animals that do not thrive at lower altitudes. Rhododendrons, lilac, and birch all grow here, and it is a haven for Xinjiang fine-wool sheep and yaks. The temperature in Lingshan is roughly 10-12 degrees Celsius colder than downtown Beijing. This is a more involved visit that normally requires a cable car and horse ride (one hour to ascend). It can be done on foot, but it will take four hours to climb and come back down. Read about one writer’s trip to Lingshan here.
 
•   Distance: 200km from the city center, 194km from Shunyi via North Fifth Ring Road
•   Opening hours: Daily
•   Admission prices: RMB 45/person in peak season (Jun, Jul, Aug), no fee in low season
 
From our friends over at the Beijinger: “Located two hours east of Beijing, the lush hills embracing Jinhai Lake are dotted with pavilions, rock formations, caves, historical spots, and what is purported to be Asia’s largest peach orchard. If you tire of hiking and chomping on peaches, you can fish, rent a boat, go swimming, or visit the water park for water skiing and parasailing. Jinhai is very popular with native Beijingers.”
 
•   Distance: 94km from the city center, 81km from Shunyi via JingPing Expressway
•   Opening hours: Daily 7am-6.30pm
•   Admission prices: RMB 28
 
5. Mutianyu Great Wall慕田峪长城
Mutianyu is a popular alternative to the Badaling Great Wall for those who want a less-touristy feel. This doesn’t mean you can escape vendors and hawkers because they are still here, but the Wall itself has a much more authentic feel to it despite being restored. Take the cable car up and walk a 3km section of the wall to get to a toboggan station before whizzing back down to the foot of the mountain. A combination of history, a work-out, and some amusement-park style fun.
 
•   Distance: 75km from the city center, 52km from Shunyi via JingCheng Expressway
•   Opening hours: Daily 7.30am-5.30pm (Nov-Mar), 7am-6pm (Apr-Oct)
•   Admission prices: RMB 45/adult, RMB 25/child 12 and under
•   Cable car ticket: RMB 60 (one way) or RMB 80 (return)/adult; RMB 30 (one way) or RMB 40 (return)/child 12 and under; cable car up + toboggan down RMB 60/adult, RMB 50/child
 
Photo by ames sf (Flickr)
 
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.

 

 

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We’ve been lucky to have some really beautiful blue sky days recently. If this keeps up, it’ll be a great opportunity to head out to one of Beijing’s best spots to view red leaves. Go on a weekday if you can, as these places can get extremely busy on the weekends. Shunyi dwellers with a car needn’t worry; since all of these scenic spots can be accessed via Fifth Ring Road and Sixth Ring Road, you can get to your destination even on no-drive days. Click on each link for complete addresses.
  
1. Xiangshan 香山
Arguably Beijing’s most popular spot to see red leaves, Xiangshan (also known as Fragrant Hills) is covered in smoke trees. A cable car makes it convenient to go up and down the mountain. There are also forests and lakes to be explored. Click here for a walking guide around Xiangshan and neighboring Beijing Botanical Garden.
 
  • Distance: 32km from the city center, 38km from Shunyi via North Fifth Ring Road
  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6am-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm
  • Admission prices: RMB 10, RMB 5 for students. Cable car costs RMB 50 from Mon-Fri and RMB 60 on Sat-Sun and holidays (one way).
 
2. Badaling Great Wall 八达岭长城
Though always overrun with tourists, Badaling has the distinction of holding a red leaf festival every November. Local newspapers all feature photos taken from around the wall.
 
  • Distance: 72km from the city center, 65km from Shunyi via North Sixth Ring Road and Badaling Expressway
  • Opening hours: Daily 6.40am-6.30pm
  • Admission prices: RMB 40 (Nov 1-Mar 31). Cable car costs RMB 40 one way and RMB 60 roundtrip.
 
3. Baiwang Mountain Forest Park 百望山森林公园
Often referred to as Beijing’s source of oxygen because of its close proximity to the city. The park covers an area of roughly 133 hectares, of which more than 95 percent is vegetation. There is rock climbing available for lovers of the sport. Check the website for details (in Chinese).
 
  • Distance: 26km from the city center, 33km from Shunyi via North Fifth Ring Road
  • Opening hours: Daily 8am-5pm
  • Admission prices: RMB 6
 
4. Miaofeng Mountain 妙峰山
The highest peak in Beijing, Miaofeng Mountain is located at the intersection of Haidian, Changping and Mentougou Districts. The area is renown for its ancient temples, majestic pine trees and interestingly-shaped rocks. A paved road leads to the top of the peak, making Miaofeng accessible by car and bike.
 
  • Distance: 43km from the city center, 67km from Shunyi via North Sixth Ring Road
  • Opening hours: Daily 7am-7pm
  • Admission prices: RMB 20, RMB 10 for students
 
5. Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park 上方山国家森林公园
The largest national forest park in China, Shangfang features twelve peaks and nine caves. One of the park’s highlights is Yunshui Cave, which stretches for over 600m. The cave contains the largest stalagmite in China at more than 37m tall. Temples and nunneries also dot the park.
 
  • Distance: 72km from the city center, 103km from Shunyi via North Fifth Ring Road
  • Opening hours: Daily 8am to 8pm
  • Admission prices: RMB 40

 

 

Photos courtesy of Scott Meis Photography (Flickr)
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.

 

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