Celebrating Beijing Red Leaves Festival

Posted on Sept 16, 2010, 11:40am

Beijing celebrated the grand opening of its Red Leaf Festival at Fragrant Hills Park on the 14th of September, 2010.

The annual event of the Red Leaf Festival is held in the fall, when all the Fragrant Hills are blanketed with fiery red leaves. According to the park administration, the leaves turn red when the daily temperature gap is larger than 10 degrees Celsius. This event this year will last for 25 days and end on the 6th of November.

A major autumn tourist event in the capital city, the Red Leaf Festival attracts an enormous number of visitors each year. The crowds cause serious traffic problems and sometimes disappoint leaf viewers.

In 2006, to ease the situation, a new pathway for viewers had been built uphill from Heshun Gate to Yutai Gate near the Ziyan Pavilion stretching 1,350 meters. Although the new path was the shortest in the park, it had three adventages. First, it winded through many of the best leaf-viewing spots in the park. Second, it leaded to the best place to have a panoramic view of Xianglu Peak, a famous spot in the park. Last, it snaked through dense forest, offering a burst of fresh oxygen that is good for one's health.

A number of activities are arranged for the festival, including display of the ‘four treasures of study’ (writing brush, ink, ink stone and paper), performance of tea-making, ancient costume show and photograph competition, and etc. Large numbers of visitors flock to the park to feast their eyes on this magnificent scenery as well as take part in those interesting activities. Those who come can also treat their mouths with snacks just outside the park. The street there is filled with shack stands serving delicious food to the visitors.

Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in Beijing: Lantern show in Longtanhu Park, Chaoyang park and other lake beside area and open square venues. Temple fairs will also be held at certain venues.

Check out :

• Best Places to Enjoy the Flaming Red Leaves in Beijing.
• 2010 Beijing Golden Autumn Tours