September 11, 2025

Adventure and Chill in Beijing: Perfect Weekend Guide

Welcome back to Adventure and Chill Beijing, Our Beijing weekly guide where we pair one outdoor adventure with one cozy café. This week we’re heading west to Jiufeng National Forest Park, a hidden gem just outside Beijing. With its fiery autumn leaves, rich biodiversity, and historical sites, it’s a perfect weekend hike for families, beginners, or anyone looking to reconnect with nature. After the climb, slow down with a coffee stop nearby to round out your day with the perfect mix of adventure and chill.


🏔️ Jiufeng National Forest Park – A Hidden Hiking Gem

Located beyond Beijing’s Sixth Ring Road in Beianhe, Jiufeng National Forest Park (鹫峰国家森林公园) is a nature escape that often flies under the radar compared to Beijing’s more famous mountains. The park is named after its eagle-shaped peak (鹫 = eagle), and its main trail forms a loop that takes you past diverse landscapes.

  • Main peak: 450m, beginner-friendly with both stone paths and stairways.
  • Time to summit: 1.5 hours without breaks, 2–4 hours with breaks.
  • Scenery: From the International Plum Garden at the entrance to panoramic forest views at the top, Jiufeng is known as one of Beijing’s most underrated spots for autumn leaves 🍁.

For those looking for variety, the descent through the “Forest Bathing Zone” offers a refreshing change of atmosphere.


🌿 Rich Nature and Birding History

Jiufeng isn’t just another mountain. It’s also the experimental forest farm of Beijing Forestry University, making it a hotspot for biodiversity. You’ll pass through areas with different altitudes, soil, and climate, leading to a surprising variety of plants and insects.

Birdwatching lovers may find it meaningful to know: in 1996, China’s very first public birdwatching activity was held here at Jiufeng. Although bird density isn’t high along the main trail, the park’s ecological importance makes it a great learning spot for families and kids.


🛕 Cultural & Historical Highlights

Adventure here isn’t just about nature. Jiufeng also has unique cultural and scientific heritage:

  • Jiufeng Villa (鹫峰山庄): Built during the Liao Dynasty, this site carries centuries of history.
  • China’s first domestically built seismograph station: Established in the 1930s, highlighting the mountain’s role in science and education.

This mix of nature and culture makes Jiufeng more than just a hike — it’s a journey through both history and landscapes.

👉 If you enjoy cultural touches, check out Our Beijing’s Hutong Hidden Gems Experience for another way to combine adventure with heritage.


👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly and Beginner-Friendly

With an altitude of just 450m, Jiufeng is ideal for weekend outings:

  • Great for hiking beginners 🥾 — bring trekking poles if you want extra support.
  • Family-friendly 👨‍👩‍👧 — kids can get close to nature, spot insects, and learn about plants.
  • For outdoor enthusiasts, the tougher Wangjing Tower route offers more challenge and longer hiking time.
  • The park has even hosted trail running and outdoor competitions, so it can be as relaxed or as intense as you want.

🧃 Facilities and Tips

  • Facilities (toilets, restaurants, drink stands) are mostly at the base area.
  • On the mountain: benches and trash bins are available, but no toilets or water refill spots.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks before starting.
  • Wear sturdy shoes — the trail is mainly stone and uneven steps.

Tickets & Hours:

  • Entrance: 15 RMB (7 RMB half price)
  • Hours: 8:00–17:00
  • Peak season: April–October

Transport:

  • Metro: Line 16 Beianhe Station → taxi or bus (544 or 专99) + 1.3km walk.
  • Driving: Navigate to Jiufeng East Gate Parking Lot (plenty of spaces).

☕ Chill Stop: Qingyun Xiyue Café (青云熹玥)

After your hike at Jiufeng, head back into the city and slow down at Qingyun Xiyue Café, hidden inside a courtyard on Qingyun Hutong. This café is a true hutong gem — a mix of traditional Beijing charm and warm sunset vibes.

  • Golden Hour Magic ✨ Visit in the late afternoon and you’ll see why locals rave about it. The café’s glass-brick wall turns into a glowing backdrop when the sunlight streams through, creating an amber-like glow. The whole courtyard feels bathed in soft gold, as if the hutong itself was painted by the sunset.
  • Ambience 💕 With about 15 indoor seats, classical-style decor, and calming music, it’s cozy yet elegant. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, you’ll hear birdsong and cicadas from the hutong trees — a true slice of hutong slow living.
  • Signature Drink 🌹 Try their Iced Rose Latte (48 RMB), a floral twist that perfectly complements the laid-back vibe. It’s the kind of drink you sip slowly while watching the hutong fade into twilight.

📍 Address: No. 20 Qingyun Hutong

👉 This is the kind of café that reminds you why Our Beijing adventures aren’t just about action — they’re about balance. Pair your wild hike with this hutong café, and you’ll feel both energized and recharged.


❓ Q&A: Adventure & Chill in Beijing

Q: How hard is the Jiufeng hike?

A: Jiufeng is beginner-friendly with a moderate climb (about 450m elevation). Most people can reach the top in 1.5–2 hours, with plenty of scenic stops and a circular route that keeps things interesting. Families and first-time hikers love it, while more active adventurers can challenge longer trails like Wangjing Tower.

Q: What should I bring for Jiufeng?

A: Comfortable hiking shoes are a must, as the trail is mostly stone steps. Bring enough water (no refill points on the mountain), and maybe some snacks if you plan to rest longer. Don’t forget your camera for autumn leaves and hutong golden hour moments!

Q: Why pair Jiufeng with a hutong café?

A: Our Beijing’s Adventure & Chill series is about balance. After climbing Jiufeng’s rugged forest paths, Qingyun Xiyue Café offers a slow-paced hutong escape with sunset light, soothing music, and a signature rose latte. It’s the perfect way to transition from adventure to relaxation.

Q: Can I join this route with Our Beijing?

A:Our Beijing regularly design custom day trips that mix wild hikes like Jiufeng with foodie stops and hidden hutong cafés. Just reach out, and we’ll help you create your perfect Adventure & Chill day in Beijing.


🌟 Wrap-Up

For Adventure & Chill Beijing this week, we invite you to:

  • Hike Jiufeng National Forest Park 🏔️ for autumn leaves, rich biodiversity, and a taste of Beijing’s wilder side.
  • Chill at Qingyun Xiyue Café ☕ in the hutongs, where sunset light and courtyard vibes create the perfect balance.

This combination captures what Our Beijing is all about — beyond the ordinary tourist routes, into the real rhythms of the city.

👉 Ready to plan your own day of balance?

📅 Book your Adventure & Chill with us today!

🌏 www.our-beijing.com


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