A great place to see the locals - especially the more senior citizens - enjoy themselves at the weekend exercising, dancing, doing taiqi and doing calligraphy with water-filled brushes on the paving stones near the east entrance.

North 3rd Ring Road neat intersection with Chaoyang Bei Lu

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Xiāngshān Gōngyuán (meaning Fragrant Hills Park) is situated about 30 km to the northeast of the city centre. Less frequently visited by foreign tourists, Xiāngshān is a beautiful park with at least five pathways leading to its peak (approx 550m), from where, on a clear day, you can get a breathtaking view of Beijing. It takes about two hours to walk up to the peak, and along the way are many temples, lakes and pagodas that have historical significance.

The park was built in the Jin Dynasty (1186). The park is open all year around but the best time to visit it is in autumn, when all the leaves turn red/orange colour and it will just leave you mesmerized. Běijīng Zhíwùyuán (Beijing Botanical Gardens), are located next to the foot of Xiāngshān. It's a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, and would be ideal for anyone who wants to while away their time in beautiful surroundings, including the greenhouse and a special rose garden that contains at least five types of rose flower. Quite romantic too!

After spending the day at Xiāngshān and Běijīng Zhíwùyuán, it would provide a nice ending to the day if you visited the town of Wu Dao Kou - an area near the Tsinghua and Beijing Universities, popular with tourists, foreign students and expats alike. There are a myriad of restaurants of all different types of cuisines (including Indian, Italian and Mexican). There are also some nice Japanese and Korean restaurants where you can drink authentic Japanese or Korean beer over a nice meal.

You will need a whole day to see both Xiāngshān Gōngyuán and Běijīng Zhíwùyuán (including traveling to/from the city centre, which takes about 30 minutes by taxi, costs approx 50 RMB from city centre). Also takes an hour by the many buses, if you are adventurous, but costs only 6RMB one way. Wu Dao Kou is located within 30 minutes of the city centre, and has a metro station (on line 13 from Xizhimen) and is easy to get from the botanical gardens by taxi (about 20 minutes and costs approx 30-40RMB).

All taxi drivers will understand you when you mention the names of the places, as they are written above.

A good website: www.atthewu.com

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As well as the usual Jinshanling or Simatai Great Wall tours, you can also explore other parts which are completely unrestored. Beijing Leo Hostel run a tour/hike to Secret Shen Shui Hu for 100rmb.

It should be noted that you're not always following the path of the wall itself, and if you want to get the 'classic' wall experience (and photos) take another tour instead of, or as well as, this one. On the other hand, you will definitely avoid crowds and hawkers.

Beijing Leo Hostel, Guang Ju Yuan, 52, Da Zha Lan Xi Jie, Qianmen

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A park at the rear (northern exit) of the Palace Museum across the moat.

If your feet can bear one more climb after a day in the forbidden city, make it up to the "Pavillion of Everlasting Spring" which overlooks the entire city. Try to get there for sunset for incredible views of the hundreds of shimmering golden rooftops of the forbidden city and the expanse of Tian An Men square.

Jingshan Park, mentioned in all tourist literature, situated at the northern entrance to the Forbidden City across the moat.
Bus Route 35,104,109, Take Metro to Tian An Men then walk around the Palace Museum moat.
10 RMB entrance fee

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Go just before dusk to the top of the small hill in Jingshan park, just north of the Forbidden City. By this time, the usual throng of tourists and trinket sellers has usually declined to just a couple of dozen people so you can see the old and new of Beijing in relative peace. With a good sunset, even the smog can look attractive. Open 6am-9pm daily.

Across the road from the north gate of the Forbidden City; or take bus No 101 from Fuchengmen or Chaoyangmen metro stops

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