Snap up Beijing’s first wave of autumn! Shunyi Ginkgo Park has fewer people and stunning scenery

At the end of September, Beijing was still being chased by the autumn heat, but I unexpectedly discovered a secretly yellowing ginkgo forest in Shunyi—without the crowded crowds of Olympic Forest Park flooding social media, no need to compete with dozens of people for a popular tree. Coming here on the weekend means you can casually take photos of “exclusive” autumn scenes. The key is that in 1-2 weeks the leaves will fall, so if you want to catch the first wave of autumn in Beijing, just copy this guide!

First, let me share a painful truth: last year I camped out at the ginkgo avenue in Olympic Forest Park, arriving at 2 p.m., but there wasn’t even a spot to set up a tripod, and all the photos ended up being “group shots.” This year, without much hope, I wandered around with a local friend and unexpectedly stumbled upon a “golden sea” in Nancai Ginkgo Park, Shunyi—turn left at the entrance and walk 50 meters along the path, and suddenly the view opens up. Two rows of ginkgo trees look like a spilled palette of colors, with the lower half of the leaves dyed a translucent golden yellow, and the upper half still holding some summer green. When the wind blows, the leaves rustle and fall, and you can hear the crisp “crunch” underfoot. This feeling of “walking inside a painting” is ten times more comfortable than squeezing into popular spots!

Many people come here just to take photos, but this ginkgo park hides three “off-the-beaten-path” activities, which I only learned about after chatting with a cleaning lady in the park—

The first is the “morning light photo spot.” Don’t come in the afternoon! The sunlight from 8 to 10 a.m. shines at an angle, casting “golden spots” through the gaps in the ginkgo leaves. Standing in the middle of the forest and having a friend shoot from a low angle can capture you and the falling yellow leaves very gently. Wearing light-colored clothes (white, beige, light camel) makes the photos stand out the most. Avoid dark colors, as they blend into the background. I tried it yesterday with my phone’s original camera, no filters needed, and the leaves in the photos glowed. When I posted on social media, I was flooded with questions about the location.

The second is the “hidden picnic area.” Turn right at the park entrance to find a small lawn right next to the ginkgo forest. Lay down a picnic mat and you can stay all afternoon. I recommend bringing light snacks like caramel cookies and hot milk tea, but avoid strong-smelling foods (they attract bugs). Around 3 p.m., the sun isn’t too strong, and lying on the mat watching leaves fall is much more relaxing than sitting in a café. By the way, there are trash bins in the park, so be sure to take your trash with you and don’t spoil such a beautiful environment.

The third is a “parent-child little surprise.” Parents can bring a small basket for kids to collect ginkgo leaves of different shapes to make crafts at home. Yesterday I saw some parents bring watercolor pens to draw little squirrels and moons on the leaves, and the kids had a great time. But a reminder: don’t pick leaves from the trees. The park has signs asking visitors to enjoy autumn respectfully so more people can see the beauty.

Now some “practical tips” based on my own experience—

Transportation: Driving is the most convenient. Navigate to “Shunyi Nancai Ginkgo Park.” There is free parking at the entrance. If you arrive before 10 a.m. on weekends, you can get a spot close to the entrance; if you come later, you might have to park on the roadside and walk 5 minutes. If taking public transit, take Metro Line 15 to “Fengbo Station,” then transfer to bus Shun 18 to “Nancai Police Station.” Get off and walk 800 meters to the park. Buses run about every 30 minutes, so check the schedule in advance to avoid long waits.

Timing: Be sure to visit before October 10! Park staff said autumn came early this year, and 60% of the ginkgo leaves are already yellow. In 1-2 weeks, the leaves will fall. If you want photos of “trees full of gold,” don’t hesitate. Just spend half a day on the weekend; no need to reserve a whole day.

Gear: Besides your outfit, bring a small comb (the wind can mess up your hair) and wet wipes (grass can stick when sitting on the lawn). If you want atmospheric photos, bring a transparent umbrella or a white gauze scarf; the wind makes them especially photogenic. Make sure your phone has enough storage—I took over 200 photos yesterday and couldn’t bear to delete any.

Finally, I want to say that Beijing’s autumn isn’t just about Olympic Forest Park and Diaoyutai. There are many “hidden gems” like Nancai Ginkgo Park. No need to follow the crowd to popular spots. Find a weekend, bring family or friends, and even just walk in the ginkgo forest and listen to the leaves—that’s the best way to celebrate autumn.

Do you have any secret autumn spots in Beijing? Share in the comments, and I’ll explore them next time!

Post by SereneWaterfall | Sep 23, 2025