Beijing Xishan Forest Park Guide: Hiking Routes & Travel Tips

Are you looking to relax in a serene, peaceful place near Beijing’s city center with fresh air? Then Xishan National Forest Park is the perfect choice. With its magnificent waterfalls, dreamy mist system, lush forest trails, and cool streams, the park is a fantastic destination for families and hiking enthusiasts alike. This Beijing Xishan Forest Park Guide: Hiking includes everything you need to plan the perfect trip, from park hours and ticket prices to transportation, recommended routes, food, accommodation, and nearby attractions.

1. About the Park

Xishan National Forest Park, located on Xiaoxishan in the western suburbs of Beijing, spans across Haidian, Shijingshan, and Mentougou districts. It’s only about 20 kilometers from the city center, which is a 40-minute drive, making it the closest national forest park to downtown Beijing.

Known as Beijing’s “natural oxygen bar,” the park offers clean, fresh air and dense forests. It’s particularly cool and comfortable in the summer and autumn, making it an ideal spot to escape the heat and unwind. In addition to its natural mountain scenery, the park features a unique man-made waterfall and a Flower Stream mist system that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairyland.

2. Hours & Ticket Information

• Park Hours: The park is open all day.
• Flower Stream Mist Hours: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Ticket Prices:
  • Adults: 10 RMB
  • Children and Seniors: Free or discounted with a valid ID.

Note: The park has different beauty to offer each season—flowers in the spring, a cool retreat in the summer, red leaves in the autumn, and snow in the winter.

3. Getting There

• By Bus:
  • Bus Route 318 (Xiangshan to Shijingshan)
  • Bus Route 360 (Xiangshan to Xizhimen)
  • Bus Route 360 Express (Xiangshan to Beijing Zoo)
  You can easily walk to the park entrance from these bus stops.
• By Car:
  • Recommended Route: North 3rd Ring Road → Yuanda Road → Xingshikou Road → Xishan National Forest Park
  There is a parking lot near the park for visitors traveling by car.

4. Must-See Sights

1. Xishan Waterfall: The park’s signature landmark is located at the East Gate Plaza. It’s 25 meters high and covers an area of about 60 acres. As the water cascades down, you can feel the refreshing mist and take in the magnificent view.
2. Flower Stream Mist: The stream is 480 meters long and lined with a variety of wildflowers, such as irises, tickseed, and catnip. The banks are shaded by ancient trees and rugged rock formations. Walking here, enveloped in a gentle mist, is a truly magical experience.
3. Guixiaoshi (Ghost Laughing Stone): Located at the summit, this uniquely shaped rock offers a panoramic view of the entire Xishan area. It’s especially stunning at night when you can see the city lights spread out below.
4. Red Leaf Ridge: A must-visit in the autumn, the ridge is covered with vibrant, colorful foliage, making it a perfect spot for photography and sightseeing.

5. Recommended Routes

• Route 1: Mountain Trail (3 km)
  • Starting Point: East Gate
  • Trail: Waterfall → Flower Stream → Banshanting Pavilion → Red Leaf Ridge → Guixiaoshi
  • Features: This trail has many steep steps, making it ideal for visitors with good physical endurance who enjoy a challenging hike.
• Route 2: Forest Trail (3.5 km)
  • Starting Point: East Gate
  • Trail: Flower Stream → Forest Stage → Nature Observation Trail → Kuaihuolin Forest
  • Features: This is a moderately difficult route with a children’s play area along the way, making it perfect for families.
• Route 3: Guixiaoshi Night View Route
  • Method: Drive directly to the Guixiaoshi parking lot at the back of the mountain.
  • Features: This route is suitable for visitors who want to enjoy the night view and have a barbecue party.

6. Best Time to Visit

• Best Seasons:
  • Spring: For flower viewing
  • Summer: For a cool retreat
  • Autumn: For red leaves
  • Winter: For snowscapes
• Duration:
  • Half-day trip: Perfect for local residents.
  • One-day trip: Ideal for a relaxed visit.
  • Night trip: Recommended for visitors with a car who want to see the night view.

7. Dining Recommendations

While there are limited dining options inside the park, you can pack a picnic or eat at one of the nearby restaurants.

• Restaurants near the Park:
  • Local farm-to-table restaurants (offering roasted fish, stewed chicken, and home-style stir-fries)
  • Barbecue stalls (especially popular near the Guixiaoshi parking lot)
• Food Recommendations:
  • Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste)
  • Ludagun (rolled glutinous rice cakes with red bean paste)
  • Roasted lamb skewers
• Tip: Bring your own snacks and drinks, especially if you plan to hike in the summer.

8. Accommodation

If you want to extend your stay, here are some options near Xishan:

• Hotels near Xishan:
  • Mid-range business hotels: Conveniently located with prices ranging from 300 to 500 RMB per night.
  • Boutique inns: A cozy option perfect for families or groups of friends.
  • High-end resorts: Well-equipped and great for a relaxing getaway, with prices starting at 800 RMB.
• Recommended Areas:
  • Around Xiangshan: Close to the park and convenient for daily life.
  • Mentougou: Offers a beautiful natural environment for a quiet rest.

9. Travel Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes, preferably hiking shoes, as some of the trails have steep steps.
• Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent in the summer.
• The Flower Stream mist system only operates on weekends and public holidays, so plan your trip accordingly.
• During the red leaf season, the park gets very crowded. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
• Tickets are affordable, and there’s no need to book in advance.

10. Nearby Attractions

If you have extra time, you can also visit these nearby sights, which are perfect additions to your Beijing travel itinerary:

• Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Park): A famous spot for viewing red leaves, located very close to Xishan.
• Summer Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.
• Badachu Park: Known for its ancient temples and a great place for hiking.
• Beijing Botanical Garden: Famous for its wide variety of flowers, particularly beautiful in the spring.