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The Great Wall News
Enjoy water and the Great Wall together
This summer, there is a place where you can visit historical sites and enjoy a cool breeze at the same time...
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China starts repairing damaged Great Wall
Repair work Saturday started on a section of the Great Wall that was intentionally damaged by a gold mining company in 2009 in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region...
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Two jailed for damaging Great Wall in north China
Two people have been jailed for intentionally damaging a section of the Great Wall in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, prosecutors said Thursday...
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Miss Bikini girls shine on Great Wall
Contestants of the 35th Miss Bikini International pose for photos at the Simatai section of the Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, May 19, 2010...
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Rolling out nature's red carpet
The beauty of fall is best displayed in Beijing's mountains, where foliage turns colorful with the change of weather. Luckily, the season is also when Beijing turns out blue skies most frequently.
The red leaves of the Fragrant Hills have become famous nationally, bringing many visitors to Beijing this time of year. That great reputation has also brought terrible traffic jams to the area. It is difficult for cars to even get close, and parking becomes impossible after 7am.
Actually, Beijing has many more - less crowded - spots to behold the colorful foliage than just the Fragrant Hills. Local media report Beijing has more than 20,000 hectares of foliage in its surrounding mountains, spanning 230 kilometers. Yellow or red smoke trees pervade, and maple. This show of colors starts from the mountains to the northwest, and spreads to the plains of the southeast.
Very close to Fragrant Hills, there is Badachu Park to the south, which has access to the same mountain range, with similar crimson views. Another choice not far from there is Baiwangshan Forest Park, just three kilometers north of Summer Palace.
But you don't even need to head for the mountains for a seasonal treat. Beijing's suburbs proffer the richest variety of local produce in the fall. Besides the more ordinary apples, pears, grapes, jujube and sweet melons, there is persimmon, hawthorn fruit, chestnuts, walnuts, mushrooms, and freerange chicken eggs. You can enjoy hiking and sight-seeing, picking fruit along the way at local fruit gardens. There are plenty of inns to stay for the night, too.
At Fragrant Hills, red leaves appear from late October to early November. In more distant mountain areas, where weather is colder than in Beijing, colorful foliage starts as early as late September and lasts till the end of October, depending on weather. The rule of thumb - 10 fall days where the temperature drops 10 degrees between day and night means the leaves will turn red. A day or two in the outskirts, with its beautiful colored landscape, will certainly provide a relaxing break from city life.
Badaling National Forest Park
Located beside Badaling Great Wall, spanning 65 hectares, there are more than 50,000 yellow smoke trees. The draw is the Great Wall adorned with red and golden leaves. The color has turned already as the area is 5 degrees cooler than in the city. Badaling Expressway-Shuiguan Great Wall exit. One hour from Beijing.Baiwangshan Forest Park
This is the nearest forest park to Beijing. Peak is 210 meters above sea level. Park covers more than 133 hectares. Three kilometers north of Summer Palace. 30min from Beijing.Jiufeng National Forest Park
The park is located northwest of Haidian District, 18 kilometers from Summer Palace. There is an ancient path winding its way to the peak, surrounded with red foliage such as red maple and sawtooth oak. The famous Dajue Temple, with a 1000-year-old ginkgo, is at the foot of the mountain. 45min from Beijing.Miaofengshan Mountain
Located to the northeast of Mentougou District west of Beijing, there are persimmon and hawthorn fruits in the area. Red leave trees include maple, yellow smoke trees, and persimmon. One hour from Beijing.Yunmengshan Mountain
Dubbed "small Yellow Mountain," it is located between Miyun and Huairou. The mountains are deep, foliage of great variety. 80 kilometers from Beijing. 90 minutes.Other places to see red leaves include areas near Miyun Reservior in Miyun District, Hongluoshan Mountain north of Huairou District, Beigong Forest Park located in Changxindian Township of Fengtai, Jinhaihu lake east of Pinggu District, Labagoumen north of Huairou, Mangshan National Forest Park east of the dam of Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping, and Shangfangshan National Forest Park in Fangshan District.
By Ye Jun (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-19 09:18
(China Daily 10/17/2007 page14)
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