Fragrant Hills, Biyun Temple, and Beijing Zoo Day Tour

1. Overview This itinerary covers three attractions: Fragrant Hills, Biyun Temple, and Beijing Zoo. It offers a rich and diverse experience, from hiking and enjoying the red leaves to visiting ancient temples and observing animals in the zoo, allowing you to appreciate the charm of nature and culture. 2. Fragrant Hills Tour 1. First Impressions • Arriving at the east gate of Fragrant Hills in the morning, the first thing you see is the Hall of Diligent Government. At this time, the maple leaves on the right side of the hall have turned red, making it a great spot for photos, while the leaves on the left have mostly fallen, presenting a different scene. 2. South Route Hiking • Start hiking along the south route, passing through the red leaf area. Here, you will find that the red leaves are not all maple leaves, but present different shapes (as shown in P5). The number of red leaves in the area is not as many as expected, and the mountain is still mainly green. Although the south route is relatively gentle compared to other routes, the stairs during the hike are still quite challenging, making the climb not easy. 3. Xianglu Peak Summit • After some effort, you finally reach the summit of Xianglu Peak. There are many tourists at the top, all queuing up in an orderly manner to take group photos, creating a lively atmosphere. 4. North Route Descent • To save time, choose to descend from the steepest north route. The descent is relatively fast, taking only about an hour. The exit of the north route is near Biyun Temple. 3. Biyun Temple Tour 1. Architectural and Scenic Features • Biyun Temple has been recently renovated, with bright and pure red walls contrasting with the yellowing ginkgo trees, creating a beautiful picture. Its architectural style is simple and elegant, and the temple is quiet and peaceful. Walking through it, you can feel a strong historical and cultural atmosphere. 4. Beijing Zoo Tour 1. Animal Observation • Arriving at Beijing Zoo in the afternoon, you find that most of the animals are taking a nap. Watching their lazy appearance, you can't help but marvel at their leisure, as if they don't have to work and are happy. However, even when the animals are resting, you can still observe their living conditions up close, such as the cute pandas sleeping soundly and the elephants leisurely swinging their tails, which is also quite interesting. 5. Summary This day's itinerary is fulfilling and interesting. The natural scenery of Fragrant Hills allows you to feel the change of seasons and the fun of hiking, the simplicity and tranquility of Biyun Temple provide spiritual comfort, and Beijing Zoo allows you to get close to various cute animals. Although each attraction has its unique features, there are also some minor regrets, such as the red leaves in Fragrant Hills not being lush enough and the animals in the zoo not being very active. However, overall, this trip is still an unforgettable experience, giving you a deeper understanding of Beijing's natural and cultural landscapes.