The Best Walking and Hiking Trails Around Beijing

Whether you’re interested in exploring sites of historical significance or reconnecting with nature, there’s plenty of walking trails in close proximity to Beijing. We take a look at some of the best places to discover the great outdoors.

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and there are few other activities that are more grounding than escaping from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnecting with nature. Thankfully there are a number of world class hiking trails to help you enjoy the great outdoors. We count down a handful of the best.

Dragon Cloud Mountain (Longyunshan)

This 7 kilometre trail meanders through the scenic Longyunshan scenic area north of Beijing. Dominated by steep mountains and lush, verdant canyons, the relaxed trail is perfect for beginners and people with a moderate degree of fitness. The trail follows the general path of the Baihe River as it snakes through dramatic gorges and flows into the Miyun Reservoir.

Whilst beautiful all year, during winter the frozen waterfall makes for a particularly captivating sight whilst the stunning vistas of the cliffs and canyons are a welcome change of scenery from the urban landscapes of Beijing. Beijing Hikers offers regular tours to this area, including a guide, transport and meal, making it an easy option for those interested in a pre-organized package.

Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshang Park)

This area, originally known as the Garden of Tranquility in the early Qing Dynasty, is renown for its vibrant red palette in autumn as the maple trees explode into colour and shed their leaves. With its abundance of both natural scenery as well as cultural relics it’s easy to see how this area has become a favourite destination for tourists and locals alike.

Most visitors take the north route that meanders past the Spectacle Lake and Bright Temple. The other, less travelled path guides walkers past the Tranquility Green Lake, Fragrant Temples and Incense Burners Peak before finishing at the summit, rewarding  trekkers with spectacular views of the whole area.

The Fragrant Hills park is accessible by buses 563, 318, 360, 698, 331, 360, 696 and 630. Simply hop off at Xiang Shan Station and pay the admission fee of CNY 5. Just be sure to arrive early as its proximity to central Beijing makes this a very popular destination, and crowds can form early.

Bai Wang Shan Forest Park

Positioned just 3 kilometres from the northern gate of the Summer Palace in Hai Dian District, the Bai Wang Shan Forest Park is the closest forest parkland to Beijing making it an easy option for those not wishing to head too far out of the city when they feel like a trek.

Its geographical location makes this park a perfect climate for 250 species of plants, 50 species of birds and a number of reptiles and amphibians, so nature lovers will appreciate spotting the multitude of wildlife on display. The area also houses a number of significant cultural relics that date back to the Ming Dynasty

The lush vegetation and clean, fresh air makes for a refreshing change of scenery from downtown Beijing, while the peak of Mount Baiwan is at a relatively accessible 210 metres above sea level. If you keep walking west beyond the mountain trail you’ll find a smaller hill tucked away in the valley, offering spectacular views at sunset.

Open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the park has a 6 CNY entrance fee and the area is able to be reached using public buses 330, 933 and 697 to Heishan Hubeikou.

Shi Du Nature Park

Located around 90 kilometres from Beijing, the Ten Ferries Scenic Spot (or Shi Du) is located on the banks of the Juma River. The area derived its name from the large ferries that were built at each major turn of the river as bridges were unable to be constructed over the raging torrents of the river. These days, the Juma is little more than a stream and has become a popular destination for locals and visitors alike to appreciate some of the area’s natural beauty.

Natural canyons, towering cliffs, pointed stone pinnacles and lookout points are all easily accessible from any of the bridges in this scenic spot, approved as a National Geological Park in 2004. The area is free to access and is easily accessible by public transport, serviced by both busses and trains. The 917 bus will take you right to the park.

The Great Wall from Jiankou to Mutianyu

A trek more suited to those with a reasonable degree of fitness and an adventurous spirit, the walk from Jiankou to Mutianyu is a fascinating voyage through history as you traverse sections of both unrestored and restored sections of the Great Wall. The Wall and a series of towers jut imposingly over the skyline, towering almost 100 metres above sea level and affording those that scale its heights spectacular views of the Jiankou Basin and other stretches of the Great Wall in the area.

The trip can be hazardous at certain times of the year, particularly winter, and the trail has stretches that are quite dilapidated. This is an advanced hike and if you’re not comfortable with heights and don’t have a reasonable degree of fitness there are many other more manageable hikes that can be enjoyed

It takes around four hours to complete the 9 kilometre walk but with a two hour drive required to get to the location, it’s advisable to start early. To get there, take the 916 bus from Dongzhimen bus station to Jiankou, and at the completion of your trek you can take a tourist bus from Mutianyu or a taxi to Huairou district and catch the 916 bus back to Beijing.

Mangshan National Forest Park

If you’re looking to get a bit of a work out whilst enjoying some spectacular views, it’s tough to do better than Mangshan. The peak is only reachable by ascending 3,666 stairs, an impressive 659 metre climb. In fact, the only thing that’s likely to take your breath away faster than the walk up is the amazing views once you get there. Cherry blossoms, smoke trees, lacebark and wild plum are all on display while the immense 9.9 metre Buddha statue is one of the more impressive man-made structures in the region.

To the east lies the Ming Tombs Reservoir, whilst undulating mountains sprawl in other directions. When you’re done with your hike you should consider relaxing away the aches and pains of the trek: there are a series of 10 to 16 small, open-air hot springs in the area. 

To get to Mangshan National Forest Park, take the 888 bus from Deshengmen to the last stop. It will get you there in around one and a half hours and the entrance fee is 20 RMB.

Joyful Park (Taoranting Park)

Whilst not a hike in the traditional sense, Taoranting Park is an expansive parkland area that is still within the city limits of Beijing.

Constructed in 1952, Taoranting lies to the north of Beijing’s southern railway station and is frequented by up to 60,000 people each day during peak times. The park has around 146 acres of space to wander and there is an impressive lake in the centre of the park, taking up around 30 percent of this space. People come to sing, dance and play in the area, making it as good a spot for people watching as it is for enjoying nature.

The subway is the easiest way to get to Joyful Park. Simply catch Line 4 to Taoranting Station, take exit C and walk eastwards 650 metres. Entry costs CNY 2.

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