Absolutely off the beaten path! Besides the caves, this autumn ginkgo forest in Seven Star Park is truly stunning

99% of visitors to Seven Star Park head straight to Seven Star Cave and Camel Hill, completely missing a hidden autumn secret deep within the park—the ginkgo forest near Huaxia Light Plaza and Crescent Moon Hill! When I accidentally stumbled upon this place and saw the golden ginkgo leaves covering the lawn, perfectly complementing the distant karst peaks, I was truly speechless from the beauty! 【“Map route” descriptive niche tour】 My reverse tour route was: enter from the park’s north gate (Liuhe Road) → head straight to Huaxia Light Plaza → search for ginkgo trees around the plaza and along the Xiao Dong River → then stroll along the signposts toward Crescent Moon Hill → this path is rarely visited, rich with autumn colors → finally exit near Longyin Road. This perfectly avoids crowds on the main roads, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful autumn scene. 【✅ Place names + descriptive highlights】 ✅ Ginkgo Avenue at Huaxia Light Plaza: A row of tall ginkgo trees lines one side of the plaza, turning golden in autumn, with fallen leaves covering the ground to form a golden avenue, perfect for photos. ✅ Quiet reflections by the Xiao Dong River: Scattered ginkgo and Chinese tallow trees by the river, their colorful leaves reflected in the calm water alongside the unique peaks, creating a delicate watercolor scene that feels more serene than the main scenic spots. ✅ Colorful autumn at the foot of Crescent Moon Hill: The trail up the hill is rich with vegetation, where red, yellow, and green intertwine in autumn, creating a vibrant palette. Hiking here offers fresh air and a particularly uplifting mood. 【📸 Photo spots list: niche photo points in Seven Star Park】 Ginkgo Avenue: Sit on the ground covered with ginkgo leaves and use the golden carpet as your foreground to capture photos full of autumn atmosphere. Shoot from a low angle looking up, with golden tree crowns and blue sky as the background. Xiao Dong River: Use the river surface as a mirror to capture reflections of the peaks and autumn leaves, creating a peaceful and poetic image. You can also shoot people from behind as they admire the view. Ancient architecture and autumn leaves: The park has some pavilions and towers; find angles where autumn leaves serve as foreground or background to create a blend of classical and modern vibes. 【🍽️🏡 Food and accommodation recommendations】 Seven Star Park is close to the city center with many lodging options ranging from budget to luxury. For dining, I highly recommend trying local small eateries around the park or on Shijiayuan Road, such as Nuoxiang Station’s glutinous rice and the main store of Old Dongjiang Rice Noodles. The flavors are authentic and prices reasonable, much better than dining inside the scenic area or on Zhengyang Street. 【⚠️ Pitfall avoidance guide】 The park is large; don’t try to walk through every spot. Plan your route wisely or take the sightseeing electric cart. Beware of “wild horse” guides who approach you at the park entrance or inside; they may take you shopping or to overpriced attractions. Seven Star Cave and Camel Hill are must-visit spots for tour groups, with the most crowds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit during off-peak times if you want quiet. Signage inside the park is clear; check the map in advance to avoid unnecessary detours. So next time you visit Seven Star Park, don’t just focus on the caves! Save some time for these free, less crowded autumn corners—you’ll be pleasantly surprised.