Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills)

Just 25km (15.5 miles) from Beijing’s city centre, Xiangshan draws crowds of visitors everyday, particularly in autumn, and for good reason. This is when all the leaves on the mountain’s smoke trees turn a wonderful shade of red. Xiangshan is also a lovely place to visit during the summer months since, thanks to its elevation and leaf coverage, it offers cooler temperatures and provides a refreshing reprieve from the sizzling city.