Badachu (八大处)

Badachu (八大处) (Image by author)

The name literally means "Eight Great Sites" and it houses eight Buddhist temples within three mountains. You can imagine how big the attraction is. You can smell the burning incense everywhere. Due to it being a Buddhist destination, there are plenty of vegetarian restaurants nearby.

Amazingly detailed stone sculpture depicting traditional Chinese story (Image by author)

Due to our own religious background, we were not very interested in the temples. Instead, we were more intrigued by the decorations around the park. Badachu had amazingly detailed stone sculptures and beautiful architectures. Kids may have a harder time appreciating these though. So, be patient with them. Inside the park, there is a cable cartaking you to the last temple and a slide at the end.

Apart from the cable car ride, you have to walk through the park on foot, which can be physically demanding. So I recommend going there on a cool day or with an overcast sky. Most local choose to go in the Autumn season because some of the trees will change to fall colors.