Western Hills National Forest Park

Western Hills National Forest Park is the closest forest park with 19 kilometers (20 miles) from downtown Beijing, and is an ideal place for mountaineering, overlooking the city, and viewing peach flowers in full blossom and red leaves. It’s located in the Small Western Hill of the western suburbs of Beijing and stretches across Haidian, Shijingshan, Mentougou Districts. The park covers an area of over 14,700 acres. The Small Western Hill, a branch of Taihang Mountain, has a forest coverage rate of 98%. Stepping into the park, you can see green trees scattered everywhere. There are 4,600 Pinus sylvestris, and over 1,000 aged pine trees. Some of them are over 100 years old, stretching like giant umbrellas under the blue sky and white clouds, and making the park a great place to breathe fresh air and to relax, too. Below are the top things to do inside the forest park:
 

As a popular place for mountaineering, Western Hills National Forest Park has developed several different walking trails for people with various demands. Tourists can choose the road they like, to walk up and down the hill. It will take around one and a half hours for climbing to the hilltop via the flat roads, and three to four hours via the longest road. When you reach the highest peak, you can get a 180-degree view of the city. The night view of the whole city is especially astounding. One thing you should know is that there are no stores or booth stands along the route, so make sure to bring enough drinks and food.
 In the early spring, all the creatures come to life. The hill is surrounded by trees with dazzling white and pink flowers shaded among the pines and cypresses. The peach and apricot bloom in a line over the valley. The blossom of the flowers will last 20 days or so, so you can enjoy the stunning view fully.
 The Red Leaf Ridge may be the best place to watch the red leaves. The trees of red leaves in the Small Western Hill cover over 600 hectares of area. Besides, the red leaves are not only bright in color, but varied in species, including cotinus, ingots, torch trees and oaks. In the late autumn, seeing the red leaves flashing in the breeze will surely comfort you.
 The Western Hills National Forest Park was the troop station of the Manchu eight banners in the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). The villages where yellow and blue flag soldiers were once placed and the watchtowers can still be found there. Other historical sites such as Fahai Temple, Tibetan temple, Moon Cave, Jing Fu Temple, Beamless Hall, and Montenegro Fighters Monument are also worthy of a visit. Go into the sites to get a deep insight into their history.
 Take bus 505, 318, 360 Express, 714, 698, 360, Yuntong 112, or 630, and get off at Nanhetan Station and then walk 200 meters (220 yards) toward west.
 Beijing Bus / Subway Search
 

Admission Fee:	CNY 10 Free for children below 1.2 meters (3.9 feet).
Opening Hours:	March to October: 07:00 - 18:00 November to February: 08:00 - 17:00

Nearby Attractions:
Fragrant Hills Park
Badachu Park
Baiwangshan Forest Park

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