The Real Star: Red Leaves Everywhere Let’s be honest—people come to Fragrant Hills in autumn for one reason: the leaves. And they’re worth every bit of the hype. From the moment we entered the park, bursts of red, gold, and orange surrounded us. The smoke trees (乌桕树)and maples (枫树) were blazing with color. This is one of those iconic Beijing things to do during fall. Elaine was completely absorbed in photographing the crisp patterns of the leaves—even though she’s more into coding than photography. It’s amazing how a single day trip during your China Beijing tour can create such a lasting impression. And it didn’t require a hike up the Great Wall of China from Beijing or fireworks displays (though China fireworks are another seasonal highlight during festivals)—just nature at its finest. A Peek into Culture and Community What made our visit feel even more special was the sense of...