Western Hills Mountains

Address: Western Hills (Xi Shan) - mountain range west of central Beijing, spanning Haidian & Mentougou districts

The Western Hills (Xi Shan) are a range of wooded hills and low mountains to the west of central Beijing, forming a prominent natural backdrop for the city. The area includes parks, temples and historic sites and is a popular recreational zone for hiking and sightseeing.

Visitors can follow trails through wooded slopes, visit parkland such as Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) and explore scattered temples, pavilions and historic villas. Trails provide short to moderate hikes with viewpoints overlooking urban Beijing and seasonal foliage displays, especially in autumn.

The hills have long been used as imperial and later public parkland with temples and retreats established on higher slopes. Over time they became municipal parks and conservation areas serving leisure and cultural functions for Beijing residents.

The Western Hills lie west of Beijing’s central districts, extending into the city’s suburban and rural outskirts, at an average distance of about 15-25 km from central Beijing depending on the park or temple visited.

• Proximity to Beijing: Situated roughly 20 km west of central Beijing, the area is a major municipal green space and hiking area for residents and visitors.

What to See#

• Fragrant Hills Park: Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) parkland and forested slopes that form the core recreational area in Beijing’s western hills; popular in autumn for maple and oak colors.

From central Beijing, the easiest eastern approach is Beijing Subway Line 4 to Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) station; a ten-minute taxi or a short walk brings visitors to Beigongmen (the north gate of Fragrant Hills Park). To reach the more remote temples of the Western Hills such as Tanzhe Temple or Jietai Temple, take a taxi or coach west along the Badaling road (G6) into Mentougou district; expect 45-90 minutes by car depending on traffic.

• Visit in late October for the maple and ginkgo colours; weekdays are far quieter than the weekend leaf festival.
• Use Beijing Subway Line 4 to Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) for the eastern gateway, or taxi to Tanzhe Temple if heading deeper into Mentougou.
• If planning temple-hopping (Tanzhe, Jietai, Fragrant Hills), allow a full day and wear layers - temperatures fall quickly with altitude.