Asia's Longest Red Leaf Corridor｜2025 Ultimate Autumn Viewing Guide

Asia's Longest Red Leaf Corridor｜2025 Ultimate Autumn Viewing Guide (Guangwu Mountain · Micang Mountain · Shibayue Pool Three Scenic Areas Combined Edition) 1. Quick Guide: "When and Where to Go" | Scenic Area | Peak Red Leaf Period | Weather Adjustment Suggestions This Year | |---|---|---| | Guangwu Mountain (Karst Peak Cluster) | 10.8-10.25 | Cold air arrives early this year, park opens from 10.5, avoid weekends before 10.15 | | Micang Mountain (Red Leaf Carpet) | 10.15-11.15 | 10.20-11.5 colors are most saturated, accelerated leaf fall after 11.8 | | Shibayue Pool (Water Mirror Red Leaves) | 10.20-11.18 | 10.25-11.10 waterfall flow is strong + reflections are clearest | 2. Efficient 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary Day 1: Depart from Chengdu/Chongqing → Bazhong East Station → Direct Shuttle → Stay in Guangwu Mountain Town (Afternoon visit Guangwu Mountain, watch peak cluster sea of clouds sunset from Swallow Ridge Cableway). Day 2: Enter Micang Mountain before 8:00 → Take Xianglu Mountain Cableway to the top for aerial shots → Leisurely stroll through Natural Gallery → Lunch and slow shutter water shots at Black Bear Valley → Return to Guangwu Mountain Town in the evening. Day 3: Depart early at 7:30 to Shibayue Pool → Shoot wedding dress waterfall without fog before 10:00 → Capture “Eighteen Pools” red leaf reflections with front light → Return by high-speed train or self-drive at 14:00. 3. Tickets · Transportation · All-in-One Prices | Item | Original Price | Online Early Bird | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Guangwu Mountain Ticket + Shuttle | 120 | 105 | Swallow Ridge Cableway extra | | Micang Mountain Ticket + Shuttle | 150 | 130 | Xianglu Mountain Cableway extra | | Shibayue Pool Ticket + Shuttle | 65 | 55 | No cableway, 3 km hiking | | Three Scenic Areas Combo Ticket | 280 | 230 | Official mini program “Guangwu Mountain Tourism” | | Chengdu → Bazhong East High-speed Train | 132 | Same price | 1h40min | | Bazhong East → Scenic Area Direct Shuttle | 60 | Book 1 day in advance | Two departures at 10:30/12:30 | 4. Photo Spots · Camera Settings to Copy Directly 1. Xianglu Mountain 360° Viewing Platform: Side light from 8-9 AM, use panoramic stitching for the most layered red leaves. 2. Natural Gallery Entrance 200 m: S-shaped plankwalk, 70-200 mm telephoto compression, portrait at curve entrance. 3. Black Bear Valley 1.5 km: ND1000 neutral density filter, 1-second slow shutter for silky water, red leaves as static foreground. 4. Shibayue Pool Wedding Dress Waterfall: Wide-angle 16 mm low angle, symmetrical reflection of pool surface and waterfall, no wind before 11 AM. Outfit: White/oatmeal color windbreaker + maple red scarf, non-slip Vibram sole hiking shoes, bring disposable raincoat as reflector. 5. Accommodation Tips to Avoid Pitfalls ① Want to shoot sunrise → Stay in Guangwu Mountain Town (altitude 1000 m, 10 min walk to park entrance), peak season 500-600 RMB, book 15 days in advance. ② Save money → Stay in Nanjiang County (altitude 450 m, 40 min drive to Micang Mountain), chain hotels around 200 RMB, many dining options. ③ Light luxury → Homestay near Micang Mountain “Xianglu Mountain Cableway Station,” only 6 rooms, window views of red leaves, from 1280 RMB, book fast. 6. Crowd Avoidance Forecast (Based on This Year’s Prediction) | Date | Crowd Level | Suggestion | |---|---|---| | 10.14-15 Weekend | ★★★★☆ | Queue 1 hour early to enter | | 10.21-22 Weekend | ★★★★★ | Peak color + most crowded, choose weekdays instead | | 10.28-29 Weekend | ★★★☆☆ | Shibayue Pool still good, worth rushing | | 11.4-5 Weekend | ★★☆☆☆ | End of season, photo groups gone, quiet | 7. Safety & Environmental Protection 1. Xianglu Mountain altitude 2350 m, steps are wet, wear non-slip shoes. 2. Smoking is banned throughout Black Bear Valley, drones must be registered in advance at the visitor center. 3. During Red Leaf Festival (10.10-11.10), the park implements “reservation, flow control, and staggered visits,” no entry without reservation. 4. Take your trash, picking or breaking red leaves is prohibited, violators fined 200 RMB on the spot via QR code. 8. One Sentence Summary Take 3 days off from October 15-30, pack the grandest autumn of Western Sichuan into your camera at once, when the red leaves bloom again next year, you will have already won in memories.