Badachu Park Beijing: Ancient Temples, Hiking Trails & Autumn Colors

Just 40 minutes from downtown Beijing, Badachu Park is a rare hidden gem—a serene Buddhist sanctuary with eight ancient temples scattered across three lush mountains. With a forest coverage rate of 97.4%, this is the capital’s closest natural oxygen bar and a UNESCO-worthy cultural site.

1. Why Visit Badachu Park?

Badachu Park is Beijing’s only temple garden that combines eight ancient Buddhist temples with three scenic mountains. As a National AAAA Tourist Attraction and a key cultural heritage site, it offers both profound history and fresh mountain air.

• Incredible history: The temples were first built in the late Sui and early Tang dynasties (7th century) and expanded during Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. Five of them—including Lingguang Temple, which houses one of only two surviving Buddha tooth relics in the world—were built by imperial decree. Though damaged in 1900, Lingguang was later restored to glory.
• Grand scale: Covering 253 hectares, surrounded by Cuiwei, Pingpo, and Lushi Mountains, the park’s highest peak reaches 464 meters. Eight temples are spread across the slopes, with most historic architecture still intact.
• Unique cultural vibe: Ancient poets described it as “Three mountains like a grand mansion, eight temples like antiques inside, and twelve scenic spots like the mansion’s garden.” Today, the park still hosts the Tea Culture Festival and Chongyang Mountain-Climbing Festival, keeping tradition alive.

2. How to Plan Your Trip

Easy One-Day Tour (great for families)

• Morning: Depart from downtown Beijing, reach the park in ~40 minutes. Start at Lingguang Temple (No.2) to see the Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda.
• Lunch: Enjoy vegetarian meals at the on-site Badachu Restaurant, or picnic under ancient trees.
• Afternoon: Take the cable car up, then stroll through Sanshan’an (No.3), Dabei Temple (No.4), and Longquan’an (No.5). End with a thrilling 1,700-meter mountain slide down.

Cultural Immersion Day (for history lovers)

• Morning: Focus on Lingguang Temple and Dabei Temple, the latter featuring Yuan dynasty sculptures of the 18 Arhats.
• Afternoon: Hike to Xiangjie Temple (No.7)—the largest temple, once an imperial palace for emperors Kangxi and Qianlong. Admire steles inscribed with the calligraphy of three Qing emperors.

Fitness Hiking Route (for adventurers)

• Choose one of four hiking trails. The full pilgrimage path from Temple No.1 to Temple No.8 takes 3–4 hours, offering changing views of Beijing’s skyline and Western Hills.

3. Useful Information

• Opening Hours
  • Mar 16 – Aug 31: 6:00–19:30 (last ticket 18:30)
  • Sep 1 – Nov 15: 6:00–19:00 (last ticket 18:00)
  • Nov 16 – Mar 15: 6:00–18:30 (last ticket 17:30)
• Tickets
  • Adults: ¥10
  • Students: ¥5 (with valid ID)
  • Free: seniors (60+), children under 1.2m, and people with disabilities
• Cable Car & Slide
  • Cable car: ¥60 one way, ¥120 round trip
  • Slide: ¥80 one way
• Getting Tickets: Book in advance via Meituan or other apps; entry by QR code.
• Transportation
  • By car: Navigate to “Badachu Park,” parking ¥20 (200–500 spaces).
  • By metro & bus: Take the subway and transfer to buses bound for Badachu.
• Food Options
  • Badachu Restaurant: near Lingguang Temple, serves vegetarian dishes
  • Bodhi Garden: new vegetarian buffet at No.2 Temple Square
  • Snack stalls: simple meals, drinks, and treats

4. Travel Tips

• Best Seasons
  • Autumn (Oct–Nov): fiery red leaves across 140,000 trees—absolutely stunning
  • Spring (Apr): Tea Culture Festival
  • Winter: festive temple fairs
• What to Bring
  • Comfortable hiking shoes (lots of steps!)
  • Water and snacks
  • Camera for temples + mountain views
  • Some cash (small stalls may not take cards)
• Who It Suits
  • Most visitors, but higher temples require stair climbing
  • Seniors & kids: use the cable car
  • Slide: kids under 1.4m need an adult
• Avoiding Crowds
  • Weekends & holidays get busy—visit on weekday mornings for peace
  • Golden Week holidays (Spring Festival, May Day, National Day) are packed; annual/monthly passes not valid then

5. Why International Visitors Love It

Badachu Park is where Beijing’s Buddhist heritage meets natural mountain beauty. For Western travelers, it’s an authentic slice of Chinese culture beyond the usual tourist trail.

• Deep history: Temples over 1,000 years old—not replicas, but the real deal.
• Buddhist experiences: Relics, temple architecture, and spiritual art.
• Fun activities: Hiking, the thrilling mountain slide, and seasonal festivals.
• Great facilities: English app “This is Badachu,” smart audio guides, clear signs.
• Perfect balance: Unlike Beijing’s more commercial spots, Badachu feels peaceful and natural—ideal for meditation, photography, and relaxation.

Badachu Park isn’t just a tourist attraction. It’s a living museum of Buddhist culture and a natural retreat. Standing among ancient temples wrapped in forested hills, with Beijing’s skyline in the distance, you’ll feel the harmony of history and nature.

Plan your trip to Badachu Park now—discover a hidden treasure of Beijing, where ancient temples whisper stories and the Western Hills breathe tranquility.