The Best Times to Visit Beijing

Spring (March to May):
Beijing's temperatures gradually warm up in spring, with mild weather and less rainfall, making it highly suitable for travel. At this time, Beijing is in the season of renewal and blossoming flowers. Magnolias, pear flowers, begonias, cherry blossoms, and peach blossoms successively bloom, creating the most beautiful spring scenery alongside the walls.

The Forbidden City in spring is adorned with various spring flowers, seemingly infused with life by nature. The flowers contrast beautifully with the ancient architecture, forming breathtaking royal landscapes that showcase the grandeur of imperial palaces.

The Temple of Heaven in spring attracts countless tourists and photographers with its unique charm. In this season, magnolias, pear flowers, and begonias bloom in abundance, complemented by the red walls and blue tiles, enhancing the ancient royal sacrificial complex with extraordinary beauty. Every step reveals a new scene, blending ancient charm with modern vitality.

The Summer Palace in spring resembles a meticulously painted garden landscape. Mountain peach blossoms are scattered everywhere, either dotted among ancient trees or clustered near pavilions and towers. Flowers bloom along the West Bank and on the Longevity Hill, contrasting with the azure lake, white bridges, and quaint ancient buildings, creating a colorful spring scene.
Other recommended flower-viewing spots in Beijing: Gongwangfu,   Beijing Hutongs.

Autumn (September to November):
Beijing's autumn is characterized by clear skies and pleasant weather, presenting a colorful and magnificent spectacle. Whether it's red leaves, ginkgo leaves, or colored leaves, they all become indispensable elements of Beijing's autumn beauty.

Fragrant Hills Ablaze with Red Leaves: Autumn is the best time to view red leaves in Beijing, especially at the Fragrant Hills in the northwest, where the leaves turn fiery red, coloring the entire forest and adorning the ancient capital.

Autumn in Hutongs: In autumn, Beijing's hutongs are adorned with golden autumn leaves contrasting with red-tiled and gray-walled buildings. The fragrance of sophora flowers wafts through the hutongs, allowing visitors to savor the autumn ambiance while deeply feeling the unique charm of Beijing. Autumn in Beijing's hutongs is not only a seasonal change but also a cultural inheritance. Here, you can taste various autumn specialties, such as sugar-roasted chestnuts and roasted sweet potatoes, unique flavors of Beijing.

Recommended hutongs for autumn viewing: Beiluogu Xiang, Dongjiaomin Xiang, Dongmianhua Hutong, Shijia Hutong.

Other recommended autumn spots in Beijing:

1）Golden ginkgo trees and red palace walls along Jingshan Qianjie.
2）Ginkgo Avenue in Ditan Park.
3）Autumn scenery at the Summer Palace.
4）Red maple leaves at Gushui Town.
5）The red leaf forests along the Great Wall, contrasting with its magnificent grandeur, form a unique scenic view.

Winter (December to February):
The best way to enjoy Beijing in winter is to admire the snow. After snowfall, Beijing transforms into a unique and captivating scene. Snowflakes flutter down, covering ancient city walls, grand palaces, bustling streets, and quiet hutongs, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

The Great Wall in snow is a breathtaking natural and human landscape. Winter snowflakes scatter over the ancient walls, blending with the snowy mountains around. The Great Wall, partially obscured by clouds and mist, resembles a silver dragon dancing through the mountains, spanning time and space. Its unique scenery allows people to feel the profound cultural heritage and historical accumulation spanning thousands of years.

The Forbidden City covered in snow：It seems shrouded in a mysterious veil. The entire palace appears more solemn and mysterious against the backdrop of snow. The red walls of the Forbidden City are one of its most distinctive features. They have endured wind and rain, witnessed the rise and fall of numerous dynasties, and remained vibrant and solemn. Snow adds a layer of white to these red walls, making them more solemn and mysterious in winter sunlight.

Snow-covered Gongwangfu: "Half of Qing Dynasty history is embodied in one Gongwangfu." As the largest imperial mansion in the Qing Dynasty, Gongwangfu not only witnessed the rise and fall of the Qing royal family but also became an important carrier of Chinese history and culture due to its unique architectural style and rich cultural connotations. Snow-covered Gongwangfu adds a touch of poetry and romance with its snowy red plum blossoms, gold-tiled and gray-walled buildings, and ancient trees.

Snow-covered corner towers reflected in water: The corner towers, with their unique architectural style and intricate design, are treasures of ancient Chinese architecture. Snow-covered corner towers, lightly adorned with a layer of snow, are reflected in the moat, resembling a carefully arranged ink painting that perfectly combines the classical beauty of the Forbidden City with the purity of nature, showcasing a transcendental tranquility and harmony.
Other winter attractions in Beijing: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace, Ancestral Temple, Jingshan Park, Shichahai.