Fragrant Hills Park is situated 28 km northwest of Beijing's city center and gets its name from the highest peak, Xianglu Peak (Incense Burner Peak), which is 557 meters high. The park was first built in 1186 in the Jin Dynasty and expanded during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong ordered the addition of many new halls, pavilions and gardens and gave it a new name, Jingyi Garden (Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure). Parts of the park were then destroyed by a series of historical events up through the founding of the People's Republic. Since 1949, the park has seen some restoration and is today one of Beijing's most scenic parks.
The most spectacular natural scenery is during autumn when red leaves blanket the entire mountain. Every year, thousands of spectators make a trip to the park to admire this seasonal splendor. Panoramic view of the area can be seen from Xianglu Peak, reachable by cable car. The park is a treasure trove of historical structures. For example, a Tibetan style Lamasery complex built as a residence for the Panchen Lama during his visit to Emperor Qianlong survived despite the massive destruction and the glazed-tiled archway in front of the complex is still a sight to behold.
Those who are able to scale Incense Burner peak can enjoy Tranqulity Green Lake (Jingcui Lake), Shuangqing Villa, and Fragrant Temple. For history buffs, Shuangqing Villa is a must-visit destination as it was once the residence of Chairman Mao Zedong as well as an early site for the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
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