Recommend to spend one night in the mountain to avoid rushing through three scenic zones (Xihai, Beihai and Three-Peaks). Cobble or carved stone steps throughout; many rest points and checkpoints with toilet and food) dot the mountain. Came in mid October after China’s Golden Week - there are still crowds but OK, don’t need to be canned sardines or squeeze and shove. Unfortunately we experienced cloudy weather in what is supposed to be the least cloudy period of the year. Recommend staying at WINCLOUD Beihai Hotel… modern and elegant (the rest are rather old and dated)