Simple Joys in Natures, Hiking at Fragrance Hills Park

 Hello everyone, today I want to share my experience hiking at Xiangshan Gongyuan (Fragrant Hills Park) in Beijing. It was one of the days that I really looked forward to before because I heard so many things about this place, especially how beautiful the scenery was. I wanted to see it with my own eyes, and I was not disappointed at all.   We started our trip early in the morning by taking a bus going to Xiangshan. The ride itself was already exciting because I could see the city slowly giving way to greener areas and distant mountains. The bus was full of people, some clearly heading to the same place as us, with their hiking shoes and backpacks. I felt the excitement as we got closer. When the bus finally stopped, we knew we had arrived. The entrance of Xiangshan Gongyuan was lively. There were families, couples, and groups of friends, all looking happy and ready for a good hike. When I walked in, I immediately noticed the fresh air and the quiet beauty of nature. It felt like a big change from the busy streets of Beijing. The trees were tall. The paths looked nice, and I couldn’t wait to start walking. As we walked up, we stopped many times to admire the views. The higher we went, the wider the scenery became. At some points, I could see far into the distance the city looked small, but the mountains around us stood clear and strong.   We took lots of photos of the scene because it was too beautiful not to capture. I tried to take both wide shots of the mountains and close-up pictures of the trees and leaves.    Of course, we also took selfies together. It felt fun to laugh and pose with the scenery as our background. And then, we found a good spot to rest. It was a quiet area where we could sit down and relax for a while. I was a bit tired from walking, but it was the good kind of tiredness, the one you get from fresh air and exercise. We opened our bags and brought out the snacks and drinks we had prepared.    I had some chips, bread, and bottled water, while my friends had fruits and juice. Eating there while looking at the mountains felt so simple yet so special. It was like the snacks tasted better just because of the view. Once we were done resting, we continued exploring some more of the trails. Some paths were a little steep, but it was manageable, and the effort was worth it. Every time I thought I had seen the best view, another corner would surprise me with something even more stunning. There were also old pavilions and small temples along the way, reminding me of the history and culture tied to this park. It was not just nature, it was also a piece of Beijing’s story. As the day went on, we slowly made our way down. Going downhill was easier, and I had more time to look around without catching my breath too much. By the time we reached the bottom, I felt tired but very happy. My phone was full of pictures, and my heart was full of memories. The bus ride back felt quieter. Everyone seemed a little sleepy, but I think we were all smiling inside. Hiking in Xiangshan Gongyuan was truly worth it. The scenery, the fresh air, the laughter with friends, and even the simple snacks we shared, it all made the day unforgettable. That’s all for my little hiking story today. Thank you for reading. Luv, cath✨