Xishan National Forest Park

Xishan National Forest Park

(Photo: China)

Xishan National Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Xishan National Forest Park is located in the Western Hills of Beijing’s western suburbs, spanning the districts of Haidian, Shijingshan, and Mentougou. Built upon the foundation of the Beijing Xishan Experimental Forest Farm, it covers a total area of 5,970 hectares and is an important part of the suburban scenic areas, as well as the nearest national forest park to downtown Beijing.

Xishan National Forest Park is located in the Western Hills of Beijing’s western suburbs, spanning the districts of Haidian, Shijingshan, and Mentougou. Built upon the foundation of the Beijing Xishan Xishan National Forest Park

Experimental Forest Farm, it covers a total area of 5,970 hectares and is an important part of the suburban scenic areas, as well as the nearest national forest park to downtown Beijing.

Xishan National Forest Park has a temperate continental monsoon climate, and its zonal vegetation consists of temperate summer-green broadleaf forests. The park is home to over 250 plant species from 73 families. With its vast mountainous forests, it also hosts a variety of wildlife, including more than 10 species of mammals, over 50 species of birds, and several types of amphibians and reptiles.

Xishan National Forest Park is part of the Taihang Mountain range and is a rocky, low-mountain area, with steeper slopes on the shady side and gentler slopes on the sunny side.

The Xiaoxishan area (Xishan National Forest Park) contains many historical relics. During the Ming Dynasty, the gentle foothills at the front of Xiaoxishan were often used as sites for imperial mausoleums. Notable examples include the tomb of Emperor JingTai (Zhu Qiyu) of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the tombs of seven concubines of Emperor Wanli, collectively known as the Dongsi Tombs.

By the Qing Dynasty, the Xiaoxishan area was known for the “Eight Gardens of the Western Hills” and the “Three Hills and Five Gardens,” and it served as a garrison for the Eight Banners troops. To this day, villages such as Zhenghuangqi and Zhenglanqi, along with remnants like watchtowers, still exist. Meanwhile, the Xiaoxishan region is scattered with ancient sites that form a unique cultural landscape. In addition to famous spots such as the Fragrant Hills, the Reclining Buddha Temple, and the Eight Great Sites, there are also historic relics like Fuhui Temple, Fahua Temple, Dizang Hall, Yaoyue Cave, Jingfu Temple, and the Beamless Hall. Moreover, the area is home to the burial sites of notable figures such as Mei Lanfang, Ma Lianliang, Yan Shaopeng, Liu Bannong, Liu Tianhua, and Tong Linge, as well as the Black Mountain Battle Memorial.

Scenic Area Introduction

Currently, there are two main developed and developing scenic areas: the Capital Green Culture Stele Forest (Baiwangshan Scenic Area) and the Changhua Scenic Area.

Capital Green Culture Stele Forest

The Capital Green Culture Stele Forest is situated within the Baiwangshan Scenic Area. The main peak of Baiwangshan stands at an elevation of 210 meters, rising prominently. Climbing to the top offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Beijing area, making it a great destination for hiking and sightseeing. The park features dense forests with a vegetation coverage rate of over 95%, and the air is rich in negative oxygen ions, earning it the reputation of being the “oxygen source of Beijing.” The red leaves of Baiwangshan are especially vibrant, and during the golden autumn season, nearly a thousand acres of maple forests blaze with brilliant, intoxicating colors, making it a prime spot for leaf-peeping.

Nestled in this picturesque landscape by the mountains and water, the site includes the “Greening the Motherland” stele pavilion of Chairman Mao Zedong, as well as stele corridors and a stele exhibition hall. These structures house over 500 stone tablets, calligraphy works, paintings, and inscriptions by revolutionary leaders, prominent public figures, calligraphers, and artists from the fields of literature, science, and education. These artworks focus on afforestation, environmental improvement, as well as themes related to the city tree, city flower, and forest laws. The collection is both classic and elegant, solemn and magnificent. This not only carries forward China’s traditional stone-carving art but also establishes a new cultural venue in the Xiaoxishan scenic area and introduces a new attraction for forest tourism.

While admiring the inscriptions centered around the theme of “greening,” visitors can appreciate the importance of tree planting and environmental beautification through the poetic and artistic expressions on the steles. The stele forest, which integrates commemoration, advocacy, and art, aims to revitalize China’s forestry industry, promote the protection of the human living environment, advocate green culture, raise environmental awareness, and foster the development of both material and spiritual civilizations.

Changhua Scenic Area

The Changhua Scenic Area is centered around the Songhe Villa and plans to further develop a forest recreation zone, a wildlife breeding area, a mountain scenery zone, and a mountaintop sightseeing zone. In November 2000, the mayor of Beijing and officials from relevant commissions, bureaus, and the Haidian District visited the under-construction Beijing Xishan National Forest Park, listened to progress reports, and offered their approval. The scenic area is currently under construction.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Take bus routes 360, 318, 698, or 962 and get off at Nanhetan.

Ticket Information: 10 RMB

Discounted Ticket: 5 RMB

Opening Hours: 8:00–18:00

Best Time to Visit

The forests of Xishan have long been celebrated for their seasonal beauty throughout Beijing. In spring, peach and apricot blossoms cover the hillsides, and the wild landscape turns green; in summer, dense woods provide cool shade; in autumn, red leaves paint the hills, accompanied by refreshing autumn winds; in winter, pines and cypresses remain evergreen, blanketed in silvery white. Among these, three particularly famous sights stand out:

The first is viewing peach and apricot blossoms in early spring. The tradition of appreciating mountain peach and apricot blossoms in Xiaoxishan dates back to records from the Qing Dynasty. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, large areas of mountain peach and apricot forests were planted, enhancing the splendor of the scenery. In early March, as all things come back to life, the hills are covered in pink and white blooms—either in rows and patches across the slopes and valleys or nestled among the green pines and cypresses, creating an exceptionally vivid and dazzling sight. The flowering period can last for over twenty days.

The second is enjoying the red leaves of Xishan in autumn. “Autumn red leaf viewing” is a long-standing tradition for Beijing residents. The red leaf area of Xiaoxishan spans over ten thousand acres, featuring not only vibrant red foliage but also a rich diversity of leaf types. In addition to the common smoke tree, there are also varieties such as the Chinese sweet gum, torch tree, and oak. In late autumn, when the mountains are ablaze with color and forests are dyed in layers of red, the fluttering red leaves bring endless delight to visitors.

The second is enjoying the red leaves of the Western Hills in autumn. "Autumn leaf viewing" is a traditional custom among Beijing residents. The red leaf area of the Western Hills spans over ten thousand mu, not only featuring brilliantly colored foliage but also a rich variety of tree species. In addition to the Chinese smoke tree, there are also maple trees, torch trees, and oaks. In the deep autumn season, when the mountains are covered in red and the forests are dyed in layers, the red leaves shimmer in the gentle breeze, bringing people endless delight.

Address: 300 meters west of the intersection of Xiangshan South Road and Minzhuang Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Phone: 010-62720157, 010-62720251

Opening hours:

Peak season: 7:00–18:00, closing time: 21:00; Off-season: 8:00–17:00, closing time: 20:00.

Tickets:

Xishan National Forest Park adult ticket: 10 RMB