Legend of the fall

Source:China daily; Date: 2008-11-26; By leomagic; Clicks:678

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Golden Fall

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On distant Cold Mountains, a stone path leads upwards.

Among white clouds, peoples homes reside.

I must stop my carriage, and admire the maple forest at dusk.

In awe of autumn leaves, showing more red than the flowers of early spring.

Du Mu (AD 803-853)

Since my first day in Beijing , my Chinese friends have told me: "Beijing is beautiful in the Autumn! You and your girlfriend have to go to Xiangshan and see the colors!"

The turning of the Maple leaves, to the bright red hue, that makes a forest seem hewn from dark rubies, is indeed spectacular, however, the experience is far from my childhood walks through leaf-strewn woods in England.

Quiet contemplation is a little harder when surrounded by throngs of people who've all descended with a similar purpose.

Though Xiangshan Park is a mere 16km west of Beijing, it can take around 3 hours in heavy traffic when it's leaf-watching season.

Now the leaves have reached their full ruddiness, and have begun to fall, the crowds have thinned a little, however if you want a better chance of solitude, perhaps consider Baiwangshan Forest Park, just 5km to north of the Summer Palace.

Again, rather spectacular autumn vistas, and, the ability to walk 50m without bumping in to someone.

If leaf watching isn't your thing, and you still want to feel autumns approach, head out to Qinglong Valley, which proffers the richest variety of local produce in the fall.

Besides the more ordinary apples, pears and grapes, there are persimmon, hawthorn fruit, chestnuts, walnuts, mushrooms, and free-range chicken eggs.

You can enjoy hiking and sightseeing, picking fruit along the way at local fruit gardens, and there are plenty of inns to stay overnight.

Be aware that, since it's getting towards the end of the season, a few places have already shut up shop, but that just means a merrier time at the ones that still offer hospitality.

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