Badachu Park

Address: Badachu (Badachu Park), Shijingshan District, Beijing, China

Badachu is a cluster of eight Buddhist temple sites and a public park on the Western Hills (Xishan) of Beijing, China, with buildings and foundations that span multiple dynasties from early medieval periods through the Qing.

The complex consists of temples, pavilions and courtyards set among wooded slopes and old trees, linked by stone paths and stairways. A short cable car runs to the hill crest and there are lookout points with views across the western suburbs of Beijing. The site is commonly visited for short hikes, temple architecture and seasonal foliage.

The temples were established and rebuilt across several dynasties; many structures visible today were repaired or reconstructed during the Ming and Qing periods. Religious use has been predominantly Buddhist, and the site has served as both a local pilgrimage area and a public park.

Badachu sits on the western edge of Beijing in Shijingshan District, roughly west of the city center. The park occupies wooded hills that rise above the surrounding suburban landscape.

• Cable car: A short cable car runs from the lower park area to the ridge, reducing the number of steep stone steps needed to visit the temples.
• Best time to visit: Autumn brings good foliage color and clearer skies for views, while weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends.

Badachu (八大处) is in western Beijing near Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan). From central Beijing (Tiananmen/Beijing West) it’s about 20 km west by road; the quickest way is by taxi or ride‑hail (about 30-60 minutes depending on traffic) via the city ring roads toward the Fragrant Hills/Badachu area. Several city buses serve the Badachu/Fragrant Hills area from western Beijing district hubs; once at the park entrance expect a short walk (typically 10-20 minutes) up to the temple complex.

• Go early on a weekday-arrive at opening or before 9am to enjoy quieter temple courtyards and clearer views across Beijing before tour groups arrive.
• Use the main entrance by Badachu Temple (the southern approach) to access the ropeway/cable car; taking the ropeway up and walking down lets you see different temple clusters without retracing crowded paths.
• Many visitors stop at the central temple complex only; follow the smaller ridge trails to the west and north to find ancient cypress groves and quieter viewpoints that overlook the city.
• If you want skyline views or softer light for photos, time your visit for late afternoon and ascend toward the higher pavilions-the western hills give the best sunset vantage points while day crowds begin to thin.