Northern Sichuan's hidden gem, Nanjiang, invites you to a magical journey of red leaves and ancient trails!

Within the World Geopark, mountains layer in green, autumn leaves blaze like fire, and a grand feast of nature and culture quietly unfolds here. Nestled among the mountains of northeastern Sichuan lies an astonishing secret—Nanjiang. It boasts the World Geopark and the national 5A-level tourist attraction, Mount Guangwu, along with scenic beauty that changes with the seasons, waiting for every traveler eager to explore. Natural wonders in all four seasons Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area, Nanjiang’s hallmark, holds multiple honors including National Scenic Area, National Forest Park, and World Geopark. Poet Gao Ping once praised: “Jiuzhaigou for water, Guangwu for mountains; if you don’t see both mountains and water, you haven’t truly been to Sichuan.” Here, the scenery is distinct in every season: spring brings a splendid sea of azaleas; summer offers refreshing waterfalls at Bifeng; autumn’s red leaves are top-tier (most spectacular in late October); winter transforms the landscape into a fairy tale with ice-covered trees and blossoms. Micang Mountain National Forest Park has a forest coverage rate exceeding 80%, truly a natural oxygen bar. The Heixiong Valley plank road inside the park is a popular photo spot where streams, unique rocks, and red leaves intertwine to create a breathtaking secret realm. The sunrise over the sea of clouds at Xianglu Mountain is an unmissable spectacle, worth waking up at 5 a.m. for. --- 01 Landscape Gallery: Guangwu Fairy Mountain and Heixiong Valley The Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area consists of five major scenic spots: Taoyuan, Daba, Shibayue Tan, Shenmen, and Xiaowu Gorge, with about 360 main attractions. The mountains and waters here are magical, combining the elegance of Mount Emei, the charm of Huangshan, the mystique of Wulingyuan, and the ethereal beauty of Guilin’s landscape. Shibayue Tan is hailed by visitors as the “Jiuzhaigou of northeastern Sichuan,” where pools, waterfalls, rocks, and fallen leaves complement each other in a deep and beautiful setting. The natural gallery is a must-visit in autumn, with mountains covered in red leaves, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Micang Mountain National Forest Park not only offers stunning natural scenery but also rich cultural history. It features over 150 scenic spots including the ancient city of Mouyang, the Micang Ancient Trail, and the natural gallery. The Daxiaolangou Nature Reserve is part of the Sino-German cooperative natural resource protection project and is praised by experts as a “natural gallery, traditional Chinese painting style, and pristine wilderness.” 02 Cultural Imprint: Crossing Millennia on the Micang Ancient Trail Nanjiang has a profound historical and cultural heritage. The Micang Ancient Trail, originating in the Xia and Shang dynasties and flourishing during Qin and Han, runs through the entire Nanjiang area and is China’s earliest “national road.” This millennia-old trail has witnessed countless historical events: the Jie Xian Post Station by the Hanxi River holds the thousand-year-old memory of Xiao He chasing Han Xin under the moonlight; Mouyang City at the foot of Micang Mountain echoes the Three Kingdoms’ battlefield drama where Zhuge Liang reviewed troops in autumn. Nanjiang is also a revolutionary old area, with red culture leaving deep marks here. The Bashan Guerrilla Memorial Hall, Hong Simen, Zhongkuishan, and other revolutionary battle sites bear witness to the heroic years of revolutionaries like Xu Xiangqian and Li Xiannian. Eighteen national and provincial intangible cultural heritage items such as “Bashan Back Song,” “Bashan Maoshan Song,” and Bashan wedding customs showcase Nanjiang’s vibrant culture. 03 New Experiences: A Magical Journey of Cultural and Tourism Integration In recent years, Nanjiang has launched new tourism projects offering diverse experiences. China’s first Ba culture sci-fi stage play, “Fantasy Enjoyment · Micang Trail,” has become a new highlight of nighttime tourism. The play centers on “homeland” and “great love,” blending magnificent sci-fi with Ba culture, injecting new meaning into the millennia-old Micang Ancient Trail. The Nanjiang “Yang” BA Basketball Tournament is another distinctive feature. Since its launch, this mass cultural and sports event has attracted 58 teams from Shenzhen, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and other places, with over 300,000 online and offline viewers. Micang Trail Food Street, about 300 meters long, has become a popular spot for locals and tourists. Here, you can taste local specialties like Nanjiang yellow goat hotpot and wild vegetables while enjoying folk cultural performances and dazzling riverside light shows. 04 Travel Guide: Start Your Nanjiang Journey Best travel season: Nanjiang offers unique charm all year round. The red leaf season (mid-October to mid-November) is the most popular travel period. Summer (June to August) is ideal for escaping the heat. Transportation: From Chengdu or Chongqing, you can take a direct bus (about 4 hours) or drive yourself, enjoying stunning mountain road scenery along the way. Accommodation recommendations: You can choose homestays like Guangwu Mountain Cloud Lodge or stay in county hotels such as Nanjiang Hotel, which offer great value. Specialty food: Nanjiang yellow goat is a must-try local delicacy, along with wild vegetables and honeysuckle tea. Travel tips: Be sure to bring sports shoes, sunscreen, and a camera. Local honeysuckle tea makes a great souvenir. --- On the early morning Xianglu Mountain, the sea of clouds roils as the first ray of sunlight shines on the red leaves covering the hills; at nightfall, the sci-fi stage play “Fantasy Enjoyment · Micang Trail” showcases the collision of Ba culture and modern technology. On that millennia-old Micang Ancient Trail, you can almost hear the sound of merchants’ horses from the past. Nanjiang, this hidden gem of northern Sichuan, welcomes every traveler with its ever-changing seasonal beauty and cultural heritage spanning thousands of years.