Xishan National Forest Park

Xishan National Forest Park is located in Small Western Hills in the western suburbs of Beijing about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Beijing City. It extends across the Haidian, Shijingshan and Mentougou Districts. The park is the nearest park of its kind to the capital city. Constructed began in 1984, and this park has now developed into five scenic sights (Changhua, Baiwang, Jingfu, Lingyun and Beiling with the first two having been opened to the public). It covers an area of 59.748 sq kilometers (about 14,764 acres) of which forest land occupies 51.968 sq kilometers (about 12,841 acres). The forest coverage has reached 87%.Located in a temperate zone and favored by a continental monsoon climate, Xishan National Forest Park is home to an abundance of wildlife. Over two hundred and fifty species of plants, 50 species of birds, and 10 different kinds of beasts, amphibians, reptiles and other creatures live in Xishan National Forest Park.In addition to the rich resources of plants and animals, Xishan National Forest Park also houses a great number of historic relics. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the gently sloping hillside of Western Hills was the royal burial site. The Tomb of Emperor Jing Tai (Zhu Qiyu, 1428-1457) and the tombs of Emperor Wan Li’s (Zhu Lijun, 1563-1620) concubines are famous. Many ancient temples, such as Fuhui Temple and Jingfu Temple, are also situated in Western Hill.As the seasons change, Xishan National Forest Park presents different scenery to tourists. The peach and apricot blossoms of spring, the red leaves of autumn, and the snow-covered hills in the sunshine of winter are the most well known.The beauty of the peach and apricot blossoms of Western Hills was recorded as early as the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, large areas of peach and apricot trees were planted on the mountain, making the scenery even more enchanting. In early spring, the peach and apricot trees blossom all over the hills of Xishan National Forest Park and the blossoming period can last over 20 days. It is also a good venue to enjoy the beauty of fall. The red leaves of the maples, oaks, and other trees are a feast to one's eyes.
Baiwangshan Forest Park is one of the two scenic areas that have been opened to the public in Xishan National Forest Park. It is a beautiful tourist destination combining unique cultural sights. In the park, Beijing Green Culture Tablet Forest should not be missed. It contains over 1,000 stone tablets inscribed by celebrities commemorating the achievement of re-foresting. It is an ideal place to conduct education in patriotism, environmental protection, countryside travel and physical education.The Changhua Area is also a beautiful tourist resort as well as a suitable venue to hold meetings. The wild animal cultivation zone, amusement zone and scenic zones in the area are now under construction.