To enjoy the incoming spring in Beijing, the best spot is sanshan wuyuan, or Three Hills and Five Gardens, which refers to three scenic mountains and five royal gardens on the western outskirts of Beijing.

Set against the blooming Xiangshan, Wanshou and Yuquan mountains, the gardens, formally exclusive to the aristocrats, integrate natural beauty and the magnificence of classic Chinese garden planning.

In addition to the landscape, the Sanshan Wuyuan Cultural Arts Center is hosting works by artists of the Beijing Fine Art Academy, showing reenactments in paintings of the area, its history and modern aesthetics.

The exhibition Scenic Splendor of Western Beijing is open until May 5. It celebrates the majestic imperial atmosphere accumulated over time and reflects the area's modern uplifting to make it more convenient for today's urbanities.