Going viral! The red leaves of Guangwu Mountain have reached their peak—locals’ secret ways to capture legendary autumn scenes
Who would have thought! Guangwu Mountain is now so stunning it leaves you speechless 😭 The mountains and fields across 680 square kilometers are dyed into the "longest red carpet in Asia" by red leaves. Layers of red, orange, yellow, and green overlap, streams reflect the colorful forests, and when the wind blows, falling leaves flutter like red butterflies filling the sky. Walking through the woods, the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine needles and wild fruits—this is what autumn should truly feel like~ We've compiled tested, no-fail unique experiences, unlocking hidden photo spots and wild luxury adventures. This is how you blow up your social feed!
🗺️ 3-day 2-night wild autumn viewing itinerary (no rushing through!)
Day 1: Micang Mountain · Enter the fairy tale world of colorful forests 🍂
✅ Morning: Head straight to the natural gallery, where over 30,000 acres of Bashan water oak form a painting. Sunlight filters through the leaves casting golden specks, and the wooden plank road is lined with fiery red leaves. Every shot is a no-filter masterpiece. Stand in the middle of the trail and shoot your back for maximum atmosphere~
✅ Afternoon: Rush to Heixiong Valley! The stream is crystal clear, and the red leaves reflect on the water creating a "double vision" effect. Pick a red maple leaf and hold it in front of the lens as a foreground—the photo’s depth is amazing. At dusk, take the cable car to the top of Xianglu Mountain. If lucky, you can capture clouds and red leaves in the same frame. The sunset dyes the peaks golden red—super breathtaking 🌅
✅ Night: Stay in a forest starry sky bubble house with panoramic glass facing the mountains and fields. The room has floor heating, super cozy. Look up to see a sky full of stars, fall asleep to the sound of insects, and wake up the next day to sunshine and birdsong. Open the window to a mountain full of colorful forests—pure happiness! Dinner features bamboo fungus stewed chicken, a fresh mushroom soup paired with local cured meat, warming and cleansing the palate~
Day 2: Shibayue Pool · Hiking the secret water and red leaf scenic spot 🌊
✅ Reverse route is legendary! Enter from the upper entrance of Shibayue Pool and walk down the 3.2 km plank road with no backtracking. The 18 pools look like a string of green jade, some reflecting colorful forests, others surrounded by moss. The leaf whirlpool at Pearl Pool looks amazing with long exposure on your phone. The stream flows gently over piles of red leaves—every shot is a stunning "watermarked red maple" scene.
✅ Midway check-in at Jiaojiahe Canyon Trail, an 8 km gentle route even elders can easily walk. The ancient Micang trail’s bluestone slabs hide thousand-year-old horse hoof prints. Red leaves fall on the stone path, crunching underfoot, perfect for ancient-style photos that always turn out great.
✅ Afternoon on the way back, detour to Ganling Temple. The red walls and black tiles framed by endless red leaves make for a zen autumn photo set that will instantly blow up your social feed~ At night, soak in a private hot spring, stretch out and immerse in the water, smelling the nearby grass and wood fragrance, all fatigue melts away.
Day 3: Guangwu Mountain · Mountain climbing, sea of clouds viewing + fireworks finale ⛰️
✅ Early morning take the Yanziling cable car up the mountain, walk the "Cloud Walk" trail. The mist-shrouded Qinv Peak appears and disappears like a fairy descending to earth. The Yuntian Feiyan viewing platform offers shots of the canyon sea of clouds, with red leaves faintly visible in the mist, like a fairyland.
✅ Lunch at the mountaintop with cured meat sandwiches, so delicious you’ll lick the plate clean~ Afternoon hike along Hanxi River, a historic site of "Xiao He chasing Han Xin under the moon." Red maples line the ancient path, listening to history while enjoying autumn, full of charm.
✅ Before heading back, stroll through Enyang Ancient Town with its bluestone roads and stilted buildings full of local life. Sit down for a cup of covered bowl tea, buy some crispy walnut cakes as souvenirs, and slowly end this healing autumn trip.
📸 Secret photo tips (even beginners can shoot like pros!)
- Outfit: Wear white, khaki, or caramel colors—they match perfectly with red leaves. Let your skirt or scarf flutter in the wind for dynamic shots.
- Photo spots: Xianglu Mountain sunrise (start at 5 AM to capture clouds and red leaves together), Shibayue Pool reflections (low angle shots of red maples reflecting in green water), Natural Gallery backlight (sunlight through red leaves for translucent close-ups)
- Avoid crowds: Enter the park before 7:30 AM and take the first sightseeing bus to avoid 60% of the crowd. Hidden spots won’t be crowded.
🍜 Must-try foods (foodies can’t miss!)
- Nanjiang Yellow Goat Soup Hotpot: Tender meat with no gamey taste, a warming autumn and winter must-have, about 50 RMB per person to eat until full.
- Wild mushroom stir-fried with cured meat: Freshly picked forest mushrooms plus traditional cured meat, savory and perfect with rice—you can eat two big bowls.
- Bazhong Oil Tea: A breakfast essential, crispy fried dough sticks soaked in hot soup, warming you from the inside.
- Walnut Cake: Crispy with walnut aroma, great as a hiking snack or a perfect souvenir to take home.
Guangwu Mountain now, every red leaf tells a story of autumn romance, every scene is worth treasuring 🍁 No over-commercialization, just the purest autumn scenery and healing vibes. While the red leaves are at their peak, quickly gather your friends and set off to capture this limited-time autumn beauty in your photo album!