A Fairy Tale of Autumn Leaves at Liuba on the Southern Foothills of Qinling, Blooming for a Limited Time

> 🌅 Wake up at 4 a.m. to rush to Taiziling. When the morning light dyes the layered forested mountains red, you’ll understand what “autumn surpasses spring mornings” means. 🌧️ After a bout of autumn rain, Qinling quietly dons its most magnificent attire. As the most stunning autumn scenery from mid-October to early November each year, Liuba’s red leaves start spreading from Taiziling at over 1500 meters elevation, turning the entire valley into a fairy tale world woven with red and yellow. 🚗 Travel Tips 🚙 Self-driving: About 3.5 hours from Xi’an, it’s recommended to depart before 7:00 a.m. to avoid morning rush hour. The road to Taiziling area is in good condition, with cement pavement, many curves but wide enough. 🚄 Non-driving: Take the high-speed train to Hanzhong, then a direct shuttle bus from Hanzhong Tourism Distribution Center to Liuba. 🗓️ New Highlights for the 2025 Red Leaf Season 🎉 This year’s Liuba Red Leaf Season (September to November) features 24 themed cultural and tourism activities in five categories, from red leaf salons and photography contests to boardwalk orienteering and traditional autumn sun-drying, making your autumn trip more than just sightseeing. 🗺️ Three-Day Essential Itinerary 📅 Day 1: Depart from Xi’an/Baoji → Lunch at Liuba Old Street → Check in at a scenic guesthouse → Night tour of Old Street to enjoy lanterns 📅 Day 2: Watch sunrise at Taiziling (best time 6:30-7:30 a.m.) → Shizigou Ranch → Lover’s Valley → Zibai Mountain to admire colorful forests 📅 Day 3: Drive along Gaojiang Road → Zhangliang Temple → Return trip 📍 Must-Visit Attractions 1️⃣ Taiziling · Sea of Clouds and Red Leaves The “ceiling” of Liuba’s autumn colors and the first place where the red leaves turn. Standing on the viewing platform, the sea of clouds rolls beneath your feet, and sunlight gilds the layered colorful forests. - Admission: Free - Tips: There are two viewing spots on the mountaintop — a parking lot viewing platform and another requiring climbing 588 steps. The altitude is high, so remember to keep warm and bring some food and hot water. 2️⃣ Gaojiang Road · The Most Beautiful Rural Road This “China’s Most Beautiful Rural Road” transforms into a golden corridor in autumn, with a Metasequoia avenue and sun-drying scenes along the way creating a stunning picture. - Best photo spot: At the 39 km milestone 3️⃣ Shizigou Ranch Golden meadows dotted with leisurely cattle and sheep, with colorful forests in the distance as a backdrop, like a fairy tale world. - Best time: 3-5 p.m., when the light is softest 4️⃣ Zibai Mountain · Feast of Colorful Forests Take the cable car up, as if traveling through a colorful painting. The unique subalpine karst landscape blends beautifully with the autumn colors. 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations - Daoban Lodge: Floor-to-ceiling windows facing the colorful forests - Shu & Tian Guesthouse: Every room has a scenic balcony, perfect for tea by the stove at night 🍜 Food - Chestnut Stewed Free-Range Chicken: Autumn chestnuts are sweet and soft, perfectly paired with free-range chicken - Walnut Bread: A Liuba specialty, crispy and delicious 💡 Practical Tips 1. 🌡️ Liuba’s autumn temperature varies greatly (8-22℃), so bring a light down jacket and a thermos 2. 🛣️ Taiziling road has many curves; rest well the night before to avoid motion sickness 3. 👥 Popular viewing spots are best visited early to avoid crowds