Looking to escape Beijing's city buzz? This Badachu Scenic Park guide covers the essential hiking routes, temple highlights, cable car options, and practical tips for a perfect day trip to Beijing's Western Hills.
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The toboggan ride down the mountain is very popular.
Planning a visit to Beijing's scenic Badachu Park but unsure about the best area to stay? This guide cuts through the confusion with specific hotel recommendations in Shijingshan District, exact metro instructions, and tips for a perfect temple-and-hiking day trip.
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National Archeological Park
Historical Monument
Ancient Temple
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Imperial Garden
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Recent Reviews
Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. I've been to many parks in Beijing and expected more from Badachu. The entrance fee is steep for what you get, and inside everything feels super commercial – lots of vendors selling cheap souvenirs and overpriced drinks. The temples themselves are okay but nothing spectacular. The cable car is old and rattles. Maybe I just came on a bad day, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.
Nice place to escape the city for a few hours. The park is huge and the hiking trails are well maintained. I liked the mix of nature and temples. However, it was quite crowded on a Sunday afternoon, and the queue for the cable car was over 40 minutes. Also, some of the temple grounds felt a bit run down. Still, I enjoyed my visit, just not as magical as I'd hoped.
As a history buff, I was blown away by the ancient temples and the giant Buddha statue at the top. Each temple has its own character, and the inscriptions and relics are well preserved. I spent almost 4 hours just wandering and taking photos. The only downside is that some signs are only in Chinese, so non-Mandarin speakers might miss some context. But overall, a must-visit for anyone interested in Chinese Buddhist culture.
Took our two kids here on a sunny Saturday. They absolutely loved the cable car ride up and the toboggan slide down – we did it twice! The temples are interesting but the kids got a bit bored after the third one. Still, the whole family had a blast. Picnic areas are nice, but bring your own food because the on-site snacks are overpriced. Great day out!
Went early in the morning to beat the crowds and it was totally worth it. The air was crisp, the temples were almost empty, and I could hear birds singing while walking up the stone steps. The view from the top overlooking Beijing is stunning. If you love nature and peaceful spots, this is a gem. I'll definitely come back in autumn for the leaves.
Took my two kids (ages 7 and 10) here and they had a blast running around the open spaces. The cable car ride up was a fun mini-adventure for them. Downside: the restrooms near the middle temples were pretty dirty, and we struggled to find a decent place to eat lunch—ended up with instant noodles from a stall. Overall a good family outing, but pack your own food and hand sanitizer.
As a fan of ancient architecture, I absolutely loved exploring the eight temples scattered across the hillside. Each one has its own character—from the intricate carvings at Lingguang Temple to the serene Buddha statues at Longquan Temple. The climb is moderate, but the historical immersion makes every step worthwhile. Highly recommend for anyone interested in Chinese Buddhist culture.
Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high after reading other reviews. The park is pretty, but the entrance fee felt steep for what you get—60 RMB just to walk up a hill? Some of the temples were closed for renovation, and the souvenir stands near the entrance were pushy. It's a decent outdoor spot, but I wouldn't go out of my way again.
Nice place for a day hike if you're in the area. The temples are charming and the fresh air is a welcome break from downtown. Only giving 4 stars because the cable car was under maintenance when I visited, and some of the trail markers were confusing. Still, I managed to see most of the sites. Bring water and snacks—the food stalls are overpriced.
Badachu Park was the highlight of our Beijing trip! The autumn foliage was absolutely stunning—vibrant reds and golds against the ancient temple roofs. We hiked up to the tallest pagoda and the views over the city were breathtaking. Peaceful, well-maintained paths, and not too crowded on a weekday. Definitely worth the entrance fee. Will come back next year!
Beatiful peaceful escape from the city noise. I went early on a weekday and had the entire upper trail almost to myself. The incense smell, the ancient trees, and the monks chanting were magical. Only downside: the pathway signs could be clearer, but it's still a gem.
Decent place for a half-day visit if you're into Buddhist architecture. The pagoda forest is unique and well-maintained. However, I found the entrance fee a bit steep for what you get, and some of the temples were closed for renovation when I went. Not bad, but not amazing.
Perfect for a family outing! The kids loved the slide ride down the hill and the cable car views. We packed a picnic and found a nice spot near the second temple. Clean restrooms and friendly staff made it easy. Would come back again.
Nice place but way too crowded on weekends. We went on a Saturday and it felt like a theme park queue. The temples themselves are beautiful but you can barely enjoy the quiet atmosphere. Also the food options inside are overpriced and mediocre.
Absolutely loved the hike up to the temples! The cable car saved my knees on the way down though. The pagodas are stunning and the autumn leaves made it perfect. One of the best day trips from Beijing city center.
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