Red leaves are season's delight

Photographers and travelers alike regard the period up to the middle of November as the best time to enjoy the city's turning leaves.

The red of maples and the yellow of ginkgoes bring a vibrant color to the outskirts and offer a relaxing day out - if you can successfully avoid the crowds.

The Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan Park) were once regarded as the best place to watch the mountain trees turn red and yellow thanks to the large concentration of maple and smoke trees (Cotinus coggygria).

But the throngs of weekend visitors and consequent traffic congestion have taken some of the magic away, many believe.

Lines of cars and buses wait in queues running to several kilometres. And sometimes when you reach the foot of the mountain, there is no legal parking site left.It might take hours to find one. It's not the ideal start to a day out...

In recent years, Badaling Great Wall, Mangshan State Forest Park and Baihua Mountain have become popular alternatives.

Let there be light

The nighttime illumination of around 160 high buildings along Chang'an Avenue and its west and east extension lines is to be extended to coincide with the 16th CPC Congress. The light-up scheme was introduced in September ahead of the 53rd National Day in a bid to add nighttime charm to one of the city's major thoroughfares.

In the past, the buildings along Beijing's main streets like Chang'an Avenue would be asked to be light up at night during important festivals or special events. After extensive renovation work, Chang'an Avenue has been transformed into a year-round nighttime attraction.

The best place to watch and photograph the night illumination of Beijing are from the high buildings along Chang'an Avenue or the Central Axis Road running south to north. Some buildings like Beijing Hotel and the Oriental Plaza in the central area of downtown offer potential vantage points.

A housing estate, a park

Autumn is also a prime time for the real estate industry. A green environment has become a very important aspect for Beijingers seeking new apartments.

That is why most of the newly established housing estates look like gardens or parks. A tourist might not look twice but a photographer may relish contrasting buildings established in different periods.

Square deal

Many visitors to China's capital city make a beeline for Tian'anmen Square, the symbolic heart of the city.

With autumn widely considered to be the most pleasant time to travel in Beijing, now is the time to get out and about with your camera.

Tian'anmen is a magnet at the best of times and offers something a little special again over the coming days.

The start of the 16th Congress of the Communist Party of China adds a touch of drama to the square which symbolizes the city's role as China's political center. Said to be the biggest in the world, the 440,000-square- meter square can hold 1 million people. It has been the scene of many celebrations down the years from the founding of New China to the winning of the Olympic bid. The gathering of China's political leaders sees the square decked out in national flags, the red flags of the CPC and eye-catching slogans.

The Tian'anmen Rostrum is found to the north, the Five-Star Red Flag flies high on the square, the Monument to the People's Heroes dominates the center while the Great Hall of the People and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History are found respectively to the west and east. This is also where you'll find the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen Gate, to the south of the square.

Water great view!

Water in autumn has inspired Chinese writers and poets down the years thanks to its associations with peace and purity.

Beijing's best water sites are generally found in parks, often surrounded by some beautiful ancient buildings.

The Summer Palace is an ideal site to fully appreciate the water. Its vast area takes in ancient imperial palaces, bridges, pagodas and stone and wooden sculptures set amidst a beautiful autumnal waterscape.

Leaves along the bank of the lake are now turning yellow and the reflection from the water adds to the atmosphere in the imperial park.

An even larger area of water can be found at Jiulong Amusement Park thanks to the vast Shisanling Reservoir.

The high mountains and red leaves, plus one or two small boats in the reservoir help guarantee eye-catching photographs.

City squares

Autumn is a season for harvest. Chinese people like to display their pleasure with the harvest in various artistic ways. One of the most popular locations for this is in city squares.

Artificial landscapes are made into sculptures modeled on grains and fruits.

Cultural events like fashion shows, art exhibitions, folk performances and music shows are frequently held there. Such places offer a starkly contrasting scene to Tian'anmen Square where business or folk events are banned.

Xidan Cultural Square is a favored spot for relaxing for shoppers near bustling Xidan business street. Sometimes it seems there is no winter in the square. It is always covered by green plants, including the man-made fruit trees and colorful flowers.

Beijing's city squares too are often at their best in autumn. And best of all, taking time out in one of these squares allows you the chance to people-watch.

Hutong: Snap them while you can!

Beijing's hutongand siheyuan, or courtyards, show how buildings from past eras have just as much charm for contemporary visitors as the latest skyscrapers and state-of-the-art constructions.

On special occasions the hutong are transformed by lucky red lanterns and national flags.

Coinciding with the ongoing political conference, you'll spot red CPC flags appearing along the sides of these hutong. In a city of change, the hutong represent something special for many city dwellers. They continue to provide a great source of photographs for locals and visitors alike. Snap them while you can!

Candied haws

This special snack only appears in Beijing after autumn.

Sticks of tiny candied apples, or haws sprout from a straw bundle toward the sky like fireworks. Sometimes you can find them in hutong or a busy street.

The shape and red color resemble the red lanterns hung out for festivals. So candied haw or bingtanghulu is always a pleasing scene, especially enjoyed by children.

(China Daily November 10, 2002)