Miss it and wait another year—The peak time to enjoy the autumn leaves trail in the outskirts of Beijing is here

Basic Information - Best viewing period: Mid-October to early November each year. Mid-October marks the beginning of the red leaves, late October to early November is the peak period, and after early November is the late period. - Address: Shuiyu Folk Village, Nanjiao Township, Fangshan District, Beijing. - Admission: Free. Transportation Guide - Self-driving: Navigate to "Shuiyu Folk Tourism Village." Slow down when you see the Shuiyu archway, turn right at Juhong Bridge, go uphill along the road, and turn right at the crossroads. Note that Laibao Road has many bends and narrow sections, some parts only allow one vehicle to pass. In winter, there may be snow accumulation, so prepare anti-skid chains. - Public transport: Take bus 833 and transfer to bus F23, but after getting off, you need to walk 4.5 kilometers. Tour Route - It is recommended to start from the village entrance parking lot, head to the ancient commercial road entrance at the folk square, walk 1 kilometer along the stone slab road to the ridge plank road, climb to the top viewing platform, then return the same way or descend from the other side to the river trail. The whole route is about 3-4 kilometers, taking 1.5-2 hours on foot. Attractions Recommendation - Autumn Leaves Trail: Includes the stone slab path restored along the ancient Ming and Qing commercial road, with dense Chinese sumac bushes on both sides; also the wooden plank road on the north side of the village, at an altitude of about 300-400 meters, offering a panoramic view of the entire Shuiyu Village and the mountains covered with red leaves. - Shuiyu Folk Village: The village has historical relics such as Ming Dynasty stone houses, 128 Pangu mills, and Niangniang Temple, and you can also enjoy the intangible cultural heritage Zhongfan performance. Photo Tips - It is recommended to visit in the early morning or afternoon when the light is soft and ideal for photography. The plank road is steep but short, taking about 40 minutes to reach the summit, with beautiful red and yellow maple forests along the way. Every corner is perfect for photos. Precautions - Some wooden boards on the plank road are loose, and handrails are rusty. Elderly people and children should be accompanied and walk slowly. Do not visit on rainy days or after rain. - There are only dry toilets near the entrance, and no shops, so bring your own drinking water and snacks. - Mobile signal is weak in the mountains, so handle any important matters in advance.