Red leaves a bright impression

It's time to view Beijing's gorgeous, red autumn leaves. Located in Fragrant Hill Forest Park at the east side of Xishan Mountain of Beijing, Fragrant Hill is one of the four most famous sites to view maples in China. Covering 87 hectares, the 120,000 trees here include seven species of 13 different varieties. From mid-October to early November every year, thousands flock to Fragrant Hill to admire these red leaves. Other sites such as Badaling, Miaofengshan Mountain and Baiwangshan Mountain are also crowded with people.

If you want to be miles away from the crowds, and yet savor the wilderness of beautiful autumn scenes, take a drive along the State Highway 109. Also known as the Jinglan (Beijing-Lanzhou) Highway (), it runs from Fuchengmen Bridge on the western 2nd Ring Road through Shijingshan district to western Beijing, leaving Beijing via Mentougou district.

Thousands of fallen maple leaves lining the highway are so red that you could easily mistake them for fallen petals from afar. Looking out of the windows, you will be greeted by an eye-popping sight of bright red, pink, scarlet, and yellow leaves interspersed with green pines and cypresses.

A must-stop is Shibatan in Mentougou district. Famous for its deep valley, odd stones, unique flowers and clean water, the scenic spot has three waterfalls, 18 ponds and dense maple forests. Visitors can enjoy a magnificent view amid the splendid sound of the waterfalls.

How to get there: 1. Drive on 109 State Highway for 52 km to Jingxishibatan (京西十八潭) in Wangping town; 2 Take bus 929 from Pingguoyuan Subway station and get off at Jingxishibatan stop. Tel: 010-61833074

Other places to enjoy red leaves:

Hongluo Temple (红螺寺): Located in Huairou county; 1. Take bus 936 subline at the Dongzhimen long-distance bus station (东直门长途汽车站); 2. Drive on Jingmi Highway (京密路) to Huairou Exit (怀柔出口), go north to Hongluo Temple

Shangfang Mountain (上方山):

Located in Fangshan district; 1. Take bus 917 at the Liuliqiao long-distance bus station (六里桥长途汽车站) to Fangshan and change special line to Shangfang Mountain; 2. Drive on Jingshi Highway (京石高速) to Liulihe Exit (琉璃河), follow the signs along the way

Mangshan Mountain (蟒山):

Located in Changping district; 1. Take bus 919 subline at the Deshengmen bus station (德胜门汽车站) to Ming Tomb reservoir (十三陵水库); 2. Drive on Badaling Highway (八达岭高速) to Changping Exit, go east along Zhengfu Jie (政府街), follow the signs along the way

Chen Xiaorong

(China Daily 10/18/2008 page6)