Fragrant Mountain (Xiangshan): A Beijing Jewel

Want to see the natural side of Beijing? Take a visit to the Fragrant Mountain Park.

At the northern outskirts of the city, the beautiful mountain was a favorite retreat for emperors in past ages. Today, it draws numerous tourists who come to see its gorgeous fall colors and numerous historical sites.

The Xiangshan Park is located on the eastern foot of Fragrant Mountain, about 30 kilometers northwest from the heart of Beijing, according to China Travel. The mountain gets its name from its incense burner-shaped silhouette, wreathed with mist that looks like winding incense smoke.

The park began as the royal park in 1186 during the Jin Dynasty. Successive emperors expanded the facilities, transforming it into a pavilion and garden-filled retreat fit for an emperor. During the reign of the Emperor Qianlong in 1745, the park was renamed Jingyi Garden, or the Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure.

Many of the relics in the park were damaged or looted over the years (especially in 1860 and 1900), but the government put a lot of effort into restoration, starting in 1949.

One of the best times to see Fragrant Mountain is the fall, when the smoke trees blush a brilliant red, setting the park ablaze. Thousands of tourists flock to the park each fall to see the spectacular change of colors. The best view can be obtained from a cable car ride.

However, there is plenty to see and do any time of the year. Many historical sites are in the park. For instance, there is the ancient Bi Yun ("Green Cloud") Temple, the Xiangshan Temple (burned down by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1860); and the Memorial Hall of Doctor Sun Yat-sen, the first provisional president of the Republic of China following the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

Another famed site is the Shuangqing Villa, which once housed Mao Zedong and was an early headquarters for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

If you're the adventurous type, you'll want to climb to the top of the Xianglu ("Incense Burner") peak, the tallest for miles around. If the thought of that much legwork makes you queasy, you can still enjoy the peak by riding a cable car. The peak has three pavilions: Tayun ("Cloud Steps"), Ziyan ("Purple Mist") and Chongyang ("Double Ninth").

Although downtown Beijing has plenty of sights to occupy days and days (and nights and nights, as is the case with The Beijing Nightlife), it is well worth taking the trip to the outskirts to see Xiangshan.