"Western Hills Shimmering in Snow" is one of the Eight Great Sights of Yanjing (old name of Beijing). [Photo/cnsnews.com]

The Western Hills are a generic term for a stretch of mountains highlighted by Fragrant Hill, a famous wooded mountain featuring royal gardens. A number of relics and places of historical interest as well as terraces and pavilions are scattered along the hills. Fragrant Hill, one of four places known for maple leaves in China, attracts streams of visitors in autumn. However, less are aware of its greater charm after snowfall. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) was so moved by the winter view there that he wrote four Chinese characters, 西山晴雪, literally meaning "Western Hills Shimmering in Snow", which were later carved on a stele erected along the hillside. It was dubbed one of the Eight Great Sights of Yanjing (old name of Beijing).