Xiangshan Park, Beijing – Ticket, Opening Hours, Highlights, and Tips

Xianglu Peak, the highest point in Fragrant Hills Park, rises to an elevation of 575 meters. Its steep terrain makes it a challenging climb, earning it the nickname “Ghost Fear.” Over the years, three distinct pavilions have been constructed at its summit, each offering unique views and experiences. The Chongyang Pavilion symbolizes the tradition of ascending to high places on the Double Ninth Festival, providing a vantage point from which visitors can see the distant city of Beijing. The Tayun Pavilion, named for the clouds that often envelop it in spring and autumn, gives the sensation of walking through clouds. The Ziyan Pavilion is named for the purplish mist that appears at dawn and dusk, reminiscent of the poetic “purple mist from the incense burner.”

Yuhua Xiu is situated on the middle slopes of Fragrant Hills and is one of the twenty-eight scenic spots of Jingyi Garden. Originally constructed in 1745 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, it was destroyed by the Anglo-French forces in 1860. In 1999, the park undertook a meticulous restoration of Yuhua Xiu, reconstructing it according to historical records and its original design. The restored site is now open to the public, offering a glimpse into the elegance and tranquility of Qing Dynasty garden architecture.

Hongguang Temple was initially established in 1468 by eunuch Zheng Tong during the Chenghua Emperor’s reign in the Ming Dynasty. Zheng Tong, originally from Korea, served the Xuanzong Emperor and later built the temple to enshrine a thousand Buddhas, inspired by his vision of the thousand Buddhas surrounding Vairochana in Mount Kumgang. In 1747, during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, the temple’s Xiangyan Chamber was incorporated into the twenty-eight scenic spots of Jingyi Garden, with a plaque inscribed “Xiangyan Pure Land” adorning its main hall. Although the temple structures were rebuilt in the early 20th century and are not currently open to the public, the temple remains an important cultural and historical landmark within the park.

Xiangshan Temple, situated above Shuangqing Villa, was originally established in the 26th year of the Jin Dynasty (1186 AD). Known as Yong’an Temple, it was also referred to as Ganlu Temple. During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it was expanded and renovated multiple times, becoming one of the largest and most historically significant temples in the Western Hills area. Despite its cultural and artistic significance, the temple suffered extensive damage and looting during the invasions by the Anglo-French forces and the Eight-Nation Alliance. Today, only the stone screen, stone pillars, stone steps, and stone bases in front of the main hall remain. However, the temple’s sacred tree inscription, the listening pine, and the Zhile Hao in front of the temple have been well-preserved. The stone screen is intricately carved: the east side features the Diamond Sutra in the center, the Heart Sutra on the left, and the Guanyin Sutra on the right. The west side includes inscriptions of the ancient Buddha of the burning lamp, Guanyin, and Samantabhadra, along with imperial praises by the Qianlong Emperor.

Shuangqing Villa is located halfway up the southern slope of Fragrant Hills. The name “Shuangqing,” meaning “Double Clear,” was given by the Qianlong Emperor, inspired by the two clear springs in the courtyard. In 1920, educator Xiong Xiling established the Ciyouyuan (Charity Kindergarten) in Xiangshan, converting this area into his private residence and renaming it Shuangqing Villa. The exhibition at Shuangqing Villa is divided into two main sections: “Mao Zedong at Shuangqing” and “Mao Zedong’s Activities at Shuangqing.” The first section is a display of artifacts, recreating the environment where Mao Zedong lived and worked during his time at the villa. The second section consists of a photo and text exhibition, detailing Mao’s journey from Xibaipo to Xiangshan, his activities at Shuangqing, and his leadership during his time at Xiangshan.

The original site of the Fragrant Hills Hotel was the Xulangzhai (Palace of Seclusion) in the Qing Dynasty’s Jingyi Garden, which served as the Qianlong Emperor’s temporary palace. In April 1957, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks and the Municipal Hotel Joint Office began preparations to renovate the buildings and construct additional facilities. The hotel opened on July 16, 1957, and operated until it closed in 1976. In April 1980, the Fragrant Hills Hotel, designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, began construction with an investment of 58 million yuan from the Beijing First Service Bureau. The hotel, covering over 31,000 square meters with a construction area of 38,000 square meters, officially opened on April 1, 1983. The Fragrant Hills Hotel is a prime example of modern architecture seamlessly blending with historical elements, offering visitors a luxurious stay amidst the serene beauty of Xiangshan Park.

Cuiwei Pavilion, situated on the southern side of Jingcui Lake, is one of the twenty-eight scenic spots of the Jingyi Garden. It was built in the tenth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1745). The name “Cuiwei” comes from its picturesque setting among ancient trees, verdant groves, gullies, and rocky formations. It is also adjacent to other notable sites like Laiqing Pavilion, Toad Peak, and Qingyin Pavilion. This area is renowned for its lush greenery and the harmonious sounds of birds, which led Emperor Qianlong to describe the scene as “a thousand chapters of green shade in summer, with bird sounds above and below.”

The East Gate is the main entrance of Xiangshan Park. It faces east, with bronze lions flanking either side. The large plaque with the gold-inscribed characters “Jingyi Garden,” penned by Emperor Qianlong, hangs prominently above the gate. Historically, the East Gate was flanked by two watchtowers. The southern watchtower was inscribed with “Pine Door,” and the northern with “Ivy Tent.” Inside the gate, there were also two archways. The eastern archway bore the inscriptions “Zhichan” and “Yanhe,” while the western one read “Yunqu” and “Lanban.” Beyond these archways was a stone bridge spanning a crescent-shaped river. Although the archways and watchtowers are no longer present, traces of the stone bridge and river can still be found outside the East Gate.

Qinzheng Hall is located just inside the East Gate of the park. It was constructed in the tenth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1745) and served as the venue where the emperor handled state affairs and received officials while staying at the Jingyi Garden. As the foremost of the twenty-eight scenic spots in Jingyi Garden, Qinzheng Hall was unfortunately destroyed by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in the tenth year of the Xianfeng reign (1860), leaving only the hall’s foundation. In 2002, the park undertook a restoration project on the original site, completing the reconstruction in July 2003. The hall now stands as a prominent symbol of the imperial character of Xiangshan Park, with an exterior plaque inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself.

Zhiyuan Hall, built in the thirteenth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1748), is part of the imperial palace complex within the Jingyi Garden, along with Qinzheng Hall, Xulang Hall, and Lizhu Tower. Covering an area of 3,430 square meters with a building area of 723 square meters, Zhiyuan Zhai is comprised of several structures, including Yunqin Zhai and Tingxue Xuan. The name “Zhiyuan” is derived from the saying, “Without simplicity, one cannot clarify one’s aspirations; without tranquility, one cannot achieve far-reaching goals,” reflecting its importance as a place where Emperor Qianlong conducted state affairs. This area was crucial for the emperor’s governance and reflects the tranquility and simplicity essential to effective leadership.

Zhisong Garden is located on the west side of the main north-south sightseeing path, occupying an area of 2 hectares. Established in 1987, the garden features over 100 ancient pines and cypress trees. A significant landmark in the garden is a massive rock measuring 1.5 meters wide, 2.5 meters long, and 5.5 meters high, inscribed with the characters “Zhisong Garden” on its front. On the back, there is a poem by Marshal Chen Yi: “The pine stands tall and straight under the heavy snow; to know its lofty character, wait until the snow melts.” The name Zhisong is inspired by a passage from the Analects of Confucius: “Only in the cold of winter do we realize that the pine and cypress are the last to wither.” This garden exemplifies resilience and strength, symbolized by the steadfastness of the pines.

Zhao Temple, one of the significant sites within the Jingyi Garden, is formally known as the Zongjing Dazhao Temple. Construction began in the forty-fifth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1780) to welcome the Sixth Panchen Lama, who came to Beijing to celebrate the emperor’s seventieth birthday. The temple, also known as the Panchen Palace, is a large Lamaist temple that combines Tibetan and Han architectural styles. It was modeled after the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, where the Panchen Lama resided. Over the years, the temple suffered destruction by both the Anglo-French Allied Forces and the Eight-Nation Alliance. However, restoration efforts were completed in September 2012, and parts of the temple, including the forecourt and white platform, were reopened to the public. The temple’s architecture and history highlight the cultural and religious exchanges between Tibet and the Qing court.

The Glazed Pagoda, part of the Zongjing Dazhao Temple complex, is situated on the western slope of Xiangshan Park. Constructed in 1780 during the forty-fifth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign, this striking structure stands approximately 30 meters tall. It features a seven-tiered, eight-sided, dense-eaves design topped with a yellow glazed vase and adorned with eight roof ridges. The base of the pagoda is supported by an umbrella-shaped structure, with white marble balustrades encircling it. The lowest level is a stone-built octagonal foundation. The edges of each tier are decorated with copper bells, which add a melodic chime to the pagoda.

Jianxin Hall is located to the west of the park’s north gate and is one of the best-preserved ancient sites within Xiangshan Park. Originally built in 1522 during the first year of the Jiajing Emperor’s reign in the Ming Dynasty, it was reconstructed in 1796 during the first year of the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign in the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that this area was used by emperors to test the loyalty of their ministers, hence the name “Jianxin Zhai,” meaning “Studio of Heart Testing.” The courtyard features a semi-circular pool surrounded by a painted corridor. The main hall, Jianxin Hall, faces the Zhiyu Pavilion, with Zhengning Hall situated behind it.

Eyeglasses Lake, constructed during the Republic of China period, consists of two interconnected water pools resembling a pair of eyeglasses, thus its name. The northern side of the lake features rock formations and a stone cave, creating a picturesque Water Curtain Cave scene fed by the Zhuoxi stream. To the southeast of the lake stands the “Jia Ri Pavilion,” built in 1992, characterized by its cross-shaped double-eaved roof and decorated with Su-style colorful paintings.

Biyun Temple, originally named Biyun An, was established in 1331 during the Yuan Dynasty. Located in the northern part of Xiangshan Park, the temple complex is built along the mountainside and faces east. The entire layout centers around six main courtyards aligned along a central axis, with additional courtyards to the north and south, covering over 40,000 square meters.

• First Courtyard: The Shanmen Hall, housing two guardian warrior statues known as Heng Ha Er Jiang, which are deities protecting the temple entrance. The bell tower and drum tower flank the sides of the courtyard.
• Second Courtyard: The Maitreya Hall, which contains a bronze Maitreya Buddha statue from the Ming Dynasty.
• Third Courtyard: The Mahavira Hall, the main hall of Biyun Temple, featuring statues that depict scenes from the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, situated within the grounds of Biyun Temple, has been a prominent attraction since it opened to the public on October 1, 1977. This hall is an important site for revolutionary tradition education and patriotism. At the center of the hall stands a full-body white marble statue of Sun Yat-sen, donated by the Central Committee of the Kuomintang and various Sun Yat-sen schools across China. The walls feature inscriptions of Sun Yat-sen’s writings, including his “Letter to the Soviet Union,” carved in white marble. In the northwest corner of the main hall, there is a glass-covered steel coffin sent by the Soviet people on March 30, 1925. The memorial hall also displays Sun Yat-sen’s calligraphy and works, offering a deep insight into his legacy and contributions to China’s revolutionary history.

Since 2003, Xiangshan Park has hosted an annual Mountain Flower Exhibition, also known as the Mountain Flower Appreciation Festival, from April to May. The first exhibition predominantly featured Ranunculus flowers, along with small chrysanthemums and other flowering plants, totaling 70,000 pots and over 20 different species. The park sets up 75 educational display boards in major scenic areas to promote botanical knowledge. Additionally, the exhibition includes a mascot named “Tao Tao,” symbolized through a simplified sculpture, which adds a playful and engaging element to the festival.

The Red Leaf Cultural Festival, held annually since 1989, is a major attraction in Xiangshan Park, celebrating the vibrant autumn foliage. The festival features various types of red-leaf trees, including Acer pentaphyllum, Acer buergerianum, Acer palmatum, and Diospyros kaki. The most abundant red-leaf species is the Cotinus coggygria, with nearly 100,000 trees throughout the park. These trees are rich in chlorophyll, xanthophyll, carotene, and anthocyanin. During spring and summer, chlorophyll dominates, making the leaves appear green. In autumn, as temperatures drop and the day-night temperature variation increases, chlorophyll synthesis is inhibited and breaks down, while carotene and anthocyanin increase, turning the leaves into vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. This natural process creates a stunning, colorful landscape that attracts countless visitors each year.