A Comparison of Recreation Carrying Capacity between Fragrant Hills Park and Jiufeng Forest Park

To achieve the strategic goal of livable city, mountain forests in Beijing should not only protect the environment but also meet citizens demand of forest recreation. Fragrant Hills Park and Jiufeng Forest Park are selected to conduct a comparison research on recreational carrying capacity. Based on the questionnaire and on the spot investigation in 2008 and 2009, the authors evaluate spatial carrying capacity, ecological carrying capacity, facility carrying capacity, social carrying capacity and overall recreational carrying capacity of the two scenic spots combining quantitative analysis with qualitative analysis. Research results show that reasonable spatial carrying capacity of Fragrant Hills Park is 13 000 tourists per day, 4 745 000 tourists per year, Jiufeng Forest Park is 12 350 tourists per day, 4 507 750 tourists per year. On the aspects of space, facility, ecology and society, the actual amount of tourist have been beyond the reasonable capacity on peak days. The total recreational carrying capacity of Fragrant Hills Park is close to saturation. From aspects of space, ecology and society of Jiufeng Forest Park, the actual amount of tourists are lower than reasonable carrying capacity, while for facility is reasonable. The authors suggest that the whole Xishan scenic spot should be built, citizens should be guided to the recreational forest with characteristics which is not up to saturation to relieve the pressure of Fragrant Hills Park.