Crimson leaves paint the mountainside each autumn at Fragnant Hill Temple. We are now standing at one of Beijing’s major tourist destinations. Fragnant Hill Park is a former imperial garden. It sits at the foot of the Western Hills in Haidian District.
The name Fragnant Hills comes from Xianglu Feng. This translates to Incense Burner Peak. The peak features two stones resembling incense burners.
Fragnant Hill Temple’s history stretches back centuries. It was initially built in 1186 during the Jin Dynasty. Later expansions occurred during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Emperor Qianlong ordered new additions in 1745. He renamed it the “Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure”.
However, the park suffered damage. British and French forces burned the Old Summer Palace in 1860. This act extended to Fragnant Hills. Further damage occurred during the Boxer Rebellion. Since 1949, the Chinese government has restored and developed the area.
There are two main routes through the park. The north route features Spectacles Lake and Bright Temple. The Study of Reading Heart is also on this path. It is a landscaped park built during the Ming Dynasty. Bright Temple is a Tibetan-style lamasery. It was built in 1780 for the sixth Panchen Lama’s visits to Emperor Qianlong. A glazed-tiled archway and pagoda remain. Bells chime in the breeze on the pagoda eaves.
The south route leads to Tranquility Green Lake. Shuangqing Villa, Fragnant Temple and Incense Burner Peak are also located here. This route is more challenging because it crosses the highest peak.
Another interesting site is Shuangqing Villa. It was once Mao Zedong’s residence. It also served as an early headquarters for the Chinese Communist Party.
Xiangshan Temple has a long history. It houses precious cultural relics. It’s a great place to learn about Chinese Buddhist culture. Biyun Temple is another famous Buddhist temple. It features exquisite Buddha statues and murals. Jianxin Zhai is a classical garden. It evokes the water towns of southern China. The Xiangshan Revolutionary Memorial Site is a witness to China’s revolutionary history.
The best time to visit Fragnant Hill Temple is autumn. During this time, the red leaves create a breathtaking spectacle. The annual Red Leaf Festival of Beijing takes place here. Thousands of tourists ride cable cars to see the autumn colors.
Don’t miss the Fragrant Hills Hotel. It was designed by I. M. Pei. It offers a more traditional style than his other works.
Remember the name Jingyi Garden. That was the former name of Fragnant Hill Temple. It means a Garden of Tranquility and Pleasure. Today, Fragnant Hill Temple stands as a testament to natural beauty and historical significance.