The red leaves scenic area in Beijing's Badaling Mountain is opened to the public for the first time in autumn. Tourists can find the mountain covered all over by colorful leaves. The Great Wall is also overshadowed by green cypresses and red maples. Photos were taken on Oct. 10, 2006.

The National Forest Park located in Badaling Mountain also contains national historical sites like the Great Wall, covering a total area of 2,940 hectares, 96 percent of which are forests, and the highest point is 1,238 meters. It also maintains an intact ecological system with 539 kinds of plants and 158 kinds of animals.

The newly opened red leaves scenic area covers an area of 65 hectares, keeping some 50 thousand Chinese sweet gums. The altitude there is 500 meters higher than downtown Beijing, making the place cooler in autumn the leaves easier to turn red. Tourists consider late September to October as the best time to enjoy red leaves in the Badaling Mountain. It's estimated that the tourism peak will fall on October 15.

Travel tips:

Admission Fee:  40 yuan (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
                           45 yuan (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31)  
Opening Hours: 06:40 to 18:30
Recommended Time for a Visit: Two and a half hours

How to get there:

Bus Route: 919
Tourist Bus Route:  Take No. 1 at Front Gate
Take No. 2 at Beijing Railway Station
Take Lateral No. 2 at the west gate of Beijing History Museum
Take No. 3 at East Bridge
Take No. 4 at Xizhi Gate or Beijing Zoo 
 

(China.org.cn Chinanews.cn October 11, 2006)