Beijing Western Hills National Forest Park is located in the western suburbs of Beijing, spanning three districts: Haidian, Shijingshan, and Mentougou. It is an excellent spot to enjoy the Beijing night view from a high vantage point. The park features five major scenic areas: Changhua, Baiwang, Jingfu, Lingyun, and Beiling. Xiaoxishan, part of the Taihang Mountains, is based on the Beijing Western Hills Experimental Forest Farm. The park boasts extensive forest areas and beautiful scenery.
Upon entering the Western Hills, one discovers a true sand mountain, where it is almost impossible to find even a small stone. The Chinese red pines vary in height with the undulations of the hills. Climbing the sand ridges and peaks, one is greeted with a view of golden sand and lush green trees, with waves of greenery rushing forth. Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, ancient pines stand tall and vigorous, their shapes elegant, with branches stretching out like giant umbrellas; young trees are lush and vibrant, reaching upwards, full of vitality; ancient and young forests blend together, locking the sand dragons firmly with the family of wild plants. Visiting in winter, one can enjoy the pristine white snow and verdant pines, which are refreshing to the spirit. In early spring, one can admire the peach and apricot blossoms. The appreciation of mountain peach and apricot flowers in Xiaoxishan has been recorded in historical texts since the Qing Dynasty. After the founding of the People’s Republic, large areas of mountain peach and apricot orchards were successively created, making this scenery even more splendid and spectacular. In early March, as everything revives, the hills are covered in pink and white, either in rows or in patches, filling the slopes and valleys; or nestled among the ancient pines and cypresses, they are particularly bright and dazzling, captivating to the eye. The flower-viewing period can last for more than twenty days. The park is open from January 1st to December 31st, from 08:00 to 18:00. Preferential policies: Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive) enter for free; minors aged 6 to 18 years old (inclusive) enjoy half-price; students with a valid student ID or ID card of full-time undergraduate or lower学历 students enjoy half-price; seniors aged 60 and above (inclusive) with valid ID enjoy free admission; retired personnel with a retirement certificate enjoy free admission; disabled individuals with a disability certificate enjoy free admission; servicemen, including active-duty soldiers, armed police officers, and revolutionary disabled soldiers, with valid ID enjoy free admission. Other groups, such as Beijing-registered elderly over 60 with a ‘Senior Care and Disability Assistance Card’ and non-Beijing residents with a valid residence permit; Beijing-registered disabled servicemen, disabled people’s police, retired military personnel, and individuals who have acted righteously with a ‘Civil Affairs Preferential Card’; and individuals with a ‘Disability Service Card’, are also entitled to free visits and tours (except during major events). Service facilities: The park has a parking lot with a reference price of 10 yuan per day, located 300 meters west of the intersection of Xiangshan South Road and Minzhuang Road in Haidian District, Beijing, with a capacity of 150 spaces. There are also multiple restrooms within the park, clearly marked near the visitor center and parking lot.
