Jinan Shaojin Village Travel Guide: An Autumn Secret Realm Hidden in the Valley

Starting from Jinan city, head east along Tourism Road and turn onto Caixi Road. In less than an hour, you'll enter the narrow valley of Caishi Subdistrict, where the rustic scenery of Shaojin Village will greet your eyes. This ancient village, named because "the journey from Zhangqiu to Mount Tai is slightly shorter," holds surprises where nature and culture intertwine, especially in late autumn, when it is both vibrant and serene . Must-Visit Core Experiences 1. Tracing History: Touching the Traces of Time • Millennium Dragon-Subduing Tree: The "Ox Tendon Tree" at the village entrance is a "living treasure" of the village. Its wood is hard with no obvious annual rings. Legend has it that Mu Guiying used this wood to ward off poison when she broke the Tianmen Array. Today, its branches are adorned with red ribbons for blessings, and when the wind blows, it seems to whisper ancient stories . • Big Dipper Ancient Well Cluster: Near the Dragon-Subduing Tree, seven ancient wells are distributed like the Big Dipper. They were once the source of life for the villagers, and leaning over them, you can still feel the passage of time . • Ancient Village Relics: Stroll through the village, and you'll find the ruins of the Gao Family Courtyard and ancient cannon fort scattered around, unexpectedly encountering history at every turn . 2. Enjoying the Scenery: Capturing the Colors of the Four Seasons • Late Autumn Red Leaf Season (late October - early November): This is the most beautiful time in Shaojin Village. Along both sides of the mountain road, smoke trees and staghorn sumacs create rolling red waves, interspersed with the golden hues of ginkgo and the pure white of reed catkins, like a flowing oil painting. The red leaf trail in East Shaojin Village is an excellent spot for photos, allowing you to experience the splendor of the red leaves up close . • Spring Exclusive Scenery: When the Dragon-Subduing Tree blossoms, it is elegant and fresh. The rapeseed flower sea outside the village (in planning) will soon become a new spring highlight, perfect for spring outings and flower viewing . 3. Taste Buds: Authentic Mountain Flavors The village's 14 farmhouse restaurants each have their own specialties, with Shiquanshan Restaurant, operating for 15 years, being a prime example. The wood-fired stewed chicken is a must-order, with firm and flavorful meat; the braised pork hock in soy sauce is rich but not greasy. Paired with wild mountain vegetables, every bite is a taste of natural freshness. After your meal, you can also take home local specialties like mountain egg gift boxes . Nearby Linked Activities We recommend a self-driving route connecting "Shaojin Village—Pishan—Basuoquan" to unlock multiple autumn landscapes in one day: 1. From Shaojin Village, navigate to "Pishan." Along the way, pass through Jiangshuyuan Village, park, and hike into the mountains, walking among red leaves and strangely shaped rocks that look like they were carved by an axe (those without hiking experience should be cautious on steep slopes) . 2. Finally, head to Basuoquan Village to taste the sweet spring water. From this mountain village at an altitude of 700 meters, you can overlook the mountains. At night, you can stay in a guesthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows and fall asleep to the sounds of autumn . Practical Travel Tips • Transportation: Self-driving is recommended. Navigate to "Shaojin Village" or "Shaojin Scenic Area." The roads are flat and accessible for sedans. Traffic jams may occur during the red leaf season, so it's advisable to leave early and park in wider areas . • Cost: The entire trip is free, with no entrance or parking fees, offering excellent value. • Accommodation: 10 guesthouses are already operating in the village, offering a slow mountain living experience. During peak season, it's recommended to book in advance . No need to chase the crowds, come to Shaojin Village. Listen to stories under the Dragon-Subduing Tree, stroll leisurely through the red leaf forest, and savor the local flavors in a farmhouse courtyard, living life exactly as you like it.