Quỳnh Nguyễn · reviewed on
Short answer: the official 2026 forecast puts the ginkgo peak in central Beijing and the near suburbs at around November 1-10. After November 10 the leaves fall fast, and the mountains and outer suburbs are already past their best. The classic spots are the Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue (a public street), Ditan Park, Zhongshan Park next to the Forbidden City, Olympic Forest Park and Yuanmingyuan.
I'm Quỳnh, a Vietnamese-speaking guide based in Chaoyang District, Beijing. This guide gathers what official sources say about this year's ginkgo season, plus some field advice so you get the timing right.
ℹ️ Updated 02/11/2026. Timing and locations come from the Beijing government portal, Visit Beijing, the Palace Museum and the WMO (see Sources). Leaf colour depends on the weather day by day, so check again before you go.
When do Beijing's ginkgo leaves peak in 2026?
On 30 October 2026 the Beijing government portal published the "2026 Beijing Ginkgo Viewing Guide" produced by the Beijing Meteorological Service Center. In short:
| Around | Forecast status |
|---|---|
| October 28 | Mountains, outer suburbs and young trees in the city already yellow; Diaoyutai and Ditan only 30-60% turned |
| November 1 | Urban and plain areas 60-80% turned; November 1-10 is the best period for the city and near suburbs |
| After November 10 | City: late stage, few leaves left; mountains and outer suburbs: season over |
The forecast also explains that Beijing was warmer and wetter than usual from mid-October to October 24, but cold air at the turn of the month would speed up the colour change. Leaves turn fastest at 5 to 0°C; a force 5-6 wind can strip a tree in a single day, and heavy rain, snow or frost below 0°C also bring the leaves down early. So I can't promise you the perfect day: this is a forecast, not a fixed calendar.
7 ginkgo spots in Beijing
1. Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue (钓鱼台银杏大道). Outside the east wall of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Sanlihe Road, with the trees running between the wall and Fucheng Road. Visit Beijing calls it the city's ginkgo landmark, popular with wedding photographers. It is a public street; the official sources I read mention no ticket.
2. Ditan Park (地坛公园). The Ming and Qing Temple of Earth on Andingmen Outer Street, Dongcheng District, named by the city as a "classic" ginkgo spot. From November 1 it opens 06:00-20:30.
3. Zhongshan Park (中山公园) and the Forbidden City. Zhongshan Park appears on the forecast map and in the city's "classic" list. To pair it with the Forbidden City: Palace Museum tickets go on sale at 20:00 Beijing time, seven days ahead, with no on-site sales, CNY 40 from November 1, open 8:30-16:30, closed Mondays except national holidays.
4. Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园). Ginkgo trees greet you at the south gate of the North Park; in the South Park a large grove stands west of the Aohai lake, with the Olympic Tower behind it.
5. Yuanmingyuan (圆明园遗址公园). At 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District. The ginkgo avenue runs from the junction of the three gardens to the east gate of the Changchun Garden.
6. Five Pagoda Temple (Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum). Two ginkgo trees about 600 years old stand in front of the Vajrasana pagoda. Better for old trees and architecture than for long avenues.
7. Western outskirts: Dajue Temple, Tanzhe Temple, Fragrant Hills. Dajue Temple has a thousand-year-old "ginkgo king" in front of the Hall of Amitayus; Tanzhe Temple and the Fragrant Hills are on the forecast map. Mountain areas turn earlier and, per the forecast, are done after November 10, so in early November they may already be in their late stage. I found no official update on the status of each temple.
Beijing Garden Expo Park also has a ginkgo avenue of about 3 km from Gate 2 to Gate 5, with more than 800 trees.
Best time for photos and avoiding crowds (field advice)
These are personal tips, not rules:
- Go on a weekday, early in the morning. Ditan opens at 06:00; Diaoyutai is packed at weekends.
- Low afternoon sun makes the leaves glow warmer; on grey days, shoot close-ups of the leaves.
- After a windy day the ground turns into a golden carpet but the canopy thins out; if strong wind is forecast, go the day before.
- Don't shake or climb the trees for a "leaf rain" shot, and give others room to take their pictures.
What to wear in Beijing in November
The Beijing government describes the city's climate as temperate continental monsoon, with short autumns and cold, dry winters. WMO climate normals give November a mean daily maximum of about 10.1°C and a mean minimum of about -0.4°C, with only about 3 rainy days. I'd pack a thermal layer, a sweater, a windproof jacket, a scarf, thin touchscreen gloves, comfortable walking shoes and lip balm for the dry air.
A ginkgo day with Quỳnh
I'm Quỳnh Nguyễn, I speak Vietnamese, English and Mandarin, and I live in Beijing. I can accompany groups of 1 to 8 for a ginkgo day: choosing spots based on how the leaves look, booking the Palace Museum if needed, arranging a private car with driver and interpreting. As on any trip, I can also handle trip planning, airport pickup and a Chinese SIM.
New add-on: souvenir photos and short videos filmed with a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 during the day, as a paid extra quoted on request. I have no fixed price list; every trip gets its own quote. See services, about me or request a quote.
Read next: Beijing travel guide and hire a Vietnamese-speaking guide in Beijing.
Sources
- Beijing government, "2026北京银杏观赏指南" (Beijing Meteorological Service Center, 30/10/2026): beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government, ginkgo avenues at their best (28/10/2026): beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government, Haidian 2026 autumn viewing guide (Diaoyutai, Yuanmingyuan, Five Pagoda Temple, Dajue Temple): beijing.gov.cn
- Beijing government (English), "Beijing's Ginkgo-Lined Boulevards Reach Their Peak" (28/10/2026): english.beijing.gov.cn
- Visit Beijing, Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue: s.visitbeijing.com.cn
- Beijing government, Ditan Park opening hours: english.beijing.gov.cn
- Palace Museum, opening hours, prices, closing days: intl.dpm.org.cn
- Beijing government, Palace Museum booking rules (20:00, seven days ahead): english.beijing.gov.cn
- World Meteorological Organization, Beijing climate normals: worldweather.wmo.int
- Beijing government, city climate: english.beijing.gov.cn
Frequently asked questions
When is ginkgo season in Beijing in 2026?
According to the forecast by the Beijing Meteorological Service Center, published on the Beijing government portal on 30 October 2026, November 1-10 is the best viewing period for ginkgo trees in the urban area and near suburbs. After November 10 the urban area enters the late stage with few leaves left, and the season is over in the mountains and outer suburbs. It is a forecast: strong wind or heavy rain can bring the leaves down sooner.
Where can I see ginkgo trees in Beijing for free?
The best-known spot is the Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue, along the east wall of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Sanlihe Road. It is a public street, and none of the official sources I read mention a ticket. Weekends get very crowded with photographers, so go early on a weekday.
Do I need to book the Forbidden City in advance in November?
Yes. The Palace Museum sells no tickets on site. Booking opens at 20:00 Beijing time, seven days before the visit, and foreign visitors book with their passport. From November 1 a ticket costs CNY 40, the museum opens 8:30-16:30 with last entry at 15:30, and it is closed on Mondays except national holidays.
How cold is Beijing in November and what should I wear?
World Meteorological Organization climate normals give Beijing a mean daily maximum of about 10.1°C and a mean daily minimum of about -0.4°C in November, with very little rain. Dress in layers: a thermal base, a sweater, a windproof jacket, plus a scarf and gloves for early mornings.
Can Quỳnh film photos and videos during a ginkgo day?
Yes, as a paid add-on quoted on request: Quỳnh shoots souvenir photos and short videos with a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 while she accompanies you. Mention it when you send your quote request.
