What color is this ink?

It's a deep, earthy red inspired by autumn maple leaves—warmer and less bright than a primary red, with brown undertones that suggest fall foliage rather than a pure crimson.

Will this ink work in any fountain pen?

Yes, it's formulated for standard fountain pens across nib sizes. It flows well through fine, medium, and broad nibs, though line variation will be more visible with broader tips.

How long does a 50ml bottle typically last?

That depends on how often you write. For someone who uses a fountain pen daily, a 50ml bottle can last several months. Occasional writers may find it lasts a year or more.

Does this ink bleed or feather on standard paper?

On good-quality paper designed for fountain pens, it behaves predictably with minimal feathering. On thin or low-quality paper, some bleed-through is possible, as with most fountain pen inks.

Shanghai Stationary Ink - Western Hills - 50ml

The 3-second version

Deep red color inspired by autumn leaves in Beijing's western parks
50ml bottle provides sustained supply for regular fountain pen use
Flows smoothly through fine to broad nibs with line variation
Earthy red tone, not bright or primary
Fountain pens only, not for dip pens or brushes

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Western Hills Fountain Pen Ink

Most red inks push toward either candy-apple brightness or corporate burgundy. This one sits in the narrow band between them—a foliage red with brown undertones that reads as warm without turning pink or purple. If you write by hand regularly and standard blues feel too predictable but bright reds feel too loud, this hits the middle ground: noticeable enough to give writing personality, grounded enough for daily use. The 50ml size matters for anyone who actually goes through ink rather than collecting bottles that sit half-full.

Good gift when

Fountain pen users looking for a distinctive red alternative to standard colors
Writers who appreciate landscape-inspired stationery with regional character
People building a rotation of inks for different moods or projects

Skip it if You want a bright, primary red rather than an earthy, autumn-toned shade

Specs

Volume: 50 ml
Type: Fountain pen ink
Series: Natural Wonders

What's included

50ml bottle of Western Hills fountain pen ink

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess
Arrives ready to give

Bottled ink arrives ready to wrap; no special packaging needed.

The details

This fountain pen ink captures the crimson palette of fall in Beijing's mountainous western parkland, where Qing dynasty emperors once sought quiet away from the capital. The color recalls the intense red of maple leaves at peak season, when hillsides transform into waves of scarlet and rust.

Bottled in a 50-milliliter container, the ink flows smoothly through fountain pen nibs and dries to a warm, earthy red with subtle depth. The shade works for everyday writing that needs more character than blue or black, and it shows variation in line width—darker where the nib pools ink, lighter on quick strokes.

Part of the Natural Wonders series, each bottle references a specific landscape. This one draws from the historic gardens and forested slopes west of Beijing, a retreat that has drawn visitors for centuries during the brief, vivid weeks when deciduous trees peak.

The ink is formulated for standard fountain pens, from fine nibs to broader stubs. It behaves predictably on good paper, with minimal feathering and moderate dry time. If you write with multiple pens, the 50-milliliter volume lets you keep one color in rotation without running out mid-notebook.

Galen Leather

Shanghai Stationary Ink - Western Hills - 50ml

Deep red ink inspired by autumn foliage in Beijing's Fragrant Hills Park

$29at galenleather.com

Quantity

Buy from Galen Leather

Ships and sold by Galen Leather. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Deep red color inspired by autumn leaves in Beijing's western parks
50ml bottle provides sustained supply for regular fountain pen use
Flows smoothly through fine to broad nibs with line variation
Earthy red tone, not bright or primary
Fountain pens only, not for dip pens or brushes

Cheaper alternatives

Questions

What color is this ink?: It's a deep, earthy red inspired by autumn maple leaves—warmer and less bright than a primary red, with brown undertones that suggest fall foliage rather than a pure crimson.
Will this ink work in any fountain pen?: Yes, it's formulated for standard fountain pens across nib sizes. It flows well through fine, medium, and broad nibs, though line variation will be more visible with broader tips.
How long does a 50ml bottle typically last?: That depends on how often you write. For someone who uses a fountain pen daily, a 50ml bottle can last several months. Occasional writers may find it lasts a year or more.
Does this ink bleed or feather on standard paper?: On good-quality paper designed for fountain pens, it behaves predictably with minimal feathering. On thin or low-quality paper, some bleed-through is possible, as with most fountain pen inks.