A Romantic Encounter Between Mountain-Wide Red Leaves and Wild Mountain Charm

When Xiangshan is overcrowded and Mutianyu is packed with traffic, I quietly aimed my lens at a hidden mountain ridge in southwest Beijing—Fangshan·Pofengling. It is not a 5A scenic spot, yet it has been rated as "North China's Most Beautiful Autumn Scenery" by China National Geography for ten consecutive years; it lacks the halo of a thousand-year-old temple but ignites the entire Beijing autumn with 3,000 acres of wild lacquer forests. This is the true "Red Leaf Secret Realm," a sacred spot for photographers, an entrance to slow living for families escaping the city, and the autumn that countless Beijing residents envision. Every late autumn (from late October to mid-November), the mountains and fields turn from green to yellow, then to red, layer upon layer like a blazing fire. The red leaf coverage rate per unit area exceeds 90%, far surpassing traditional spots like Xiangshan. The main trail, Bai Jie Cloud Ladder, is about 6 kilometers long with 6,800 stone steps winding up the mountain, known as the "Stairway to Heaven in West Beijing." The steps are moderately wide with complete handrails, making it easy for elderly and children to climb. Multiple viewing platforms are set along the way, offering a new scene at every step. Fewer crowds and beautiful scenery make it the top choice for off-peak travel. Compared to Xiangshan’s daily flow of 100,000 visitors, Pofengling limits daily visitors to under 5,000, requiring advance ticket reservations to avoid crowding. Enter the park at 7 AM to enjoy the valley’s tranquility and the fairy-like morning mist. Diverse activities beyond just viewing red leaves: - 📸 Photography check-ins: sunrise sea of clouds, red leaf reflections, light and shadow tunnels - 🚶 Light hiking: loop trail design, moderate difficulty (about 2.5 hours to the summit) - 🏕 Camping experience: designated tent areas on the mountainside for stargazing and moon watching - 🏡 Boutique homestays: renovated old houses nearby focusing on mountain living aesthetics Best Viewing Period & Real-Time Suggestions Golden time: October 20 to November 10 every year 🔥 Red leaf index in three stages: - Early red period (10.20–10.28): partial color change, ideal for green and red interweaving shots - Peak red period (10.29–11.5): entire mountain turns red, best light and shadow, photography peak - Final period (11.6–11.10): falling leaves fluttering, creating a vast artistic atmosphere 💡 Travel Tips: > It is recommended to enter the park before 8 AM on weekday mornings to avoid crowds and capture morning light; follow the official "Fangshan Pofengling" WeChat public account for daily live red leaf updates. How to get there? Self-drive or public transport? Self-drive recommendation (most convenient) - Navigation: "Beijing Pofengling Scenic Area" (Address: Huangshandian Village, Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District) - Route reference: - Jinggang'ao Expressway → "Yancun" exit → drive along S317 towards Zhoukoudian → turn right uphill at the Huangshandian Village sign - 🅿️ Parking: Large ecological parking lot outside the scenic area, ¥10 per visit, ample spaces - About 1.5 hours drive from downtown Public transport (suitable for backpackers) - Fangshan Line subway → Exit C at "Suzhuang Station" → walk to "Suzhuang Street Station" and take F32 bus → get off at "Huangshandian Village Entrance" → transfer to shuttle bus or walk 20 minutes uphill - Total about 2.5 hours, recommended to start at 7 AM Recommended itinerary: One-day highlights tour (comfort-tested version) 7:30 Arrive at parking lot → 8:00 Ticket check and enter park → 8:30 Start hiking (east line ascent) → 9:30 Reach "Eagle Beak Rock" viewing platform (panoramic view) → 10:15 Photograph "Red Leaf Corridor" light and shadow tunnel → 11:00 Tea break at mountainside (bring snacks or buy light meals) → 11:30 Descend gently along west line → 12:30 Return to starting point → 13:30 Lunch at nearby farmhouse (recommended: firewood pot stewed fish, Sichuan pepper bud pancakes) → 15:00 Return trip Must-shoot photo spots list: 1. Eagle Beak Rock platform: panoramic composition, full view of red leaf valley 2. Red Leaf Tunnel: golden light pillars formed by sunlight penetrating leaves 3. Mountain stone house ruins: old house ruins hidden among red leaves, full of story 4. Stream reflections: puddles after rain create perfect mirror for symmetrical shots Practical Tips (Avoid pitfalls) 1. ❗ Wear non-slip shoes: some steps are covered with leaves and can be slippery 2. 🌿 Do not pick red leaves or disturb wildlife 3. ☀️ Bring sun hat, thermos, and mosquito repellent (mosquitoes still present in forest area) 4. 🍱 Limited dining options inside the park, recommend bringing light food and energy bars 5. 📱 Weak signal, download offline maps in advance; no Wi-Fi available 6. 📸 Photographers are advised to bring a polarizing filter (CPL) to enhance color saturation