Autumn grasses glow in dusk's light at Lingshan Mountain.[Photo/CRIENGLISH.com]

For those who choose to hike the entire way up and down, about four hours is needed. Considering the travel time out of and into Beijing, a nice way to avoid feeling rushed is to stay in a guest house or hotel at the base of Lingshan or in the neighbouring town of Hongshuikou. Hongshuikou is the official entrance to Lingshan Mountain, about 9 km from the base of the hike. Guest houses are clean and simple, with prices starting from 25 yuan per bed.

Also nearby in the Mengtougou District, one can visit Tanzhe Temple (once one of the most important temples in Beijing), Baihuashan Mountain, or Miao Fengshan mountain.