Fuping in late autumn hides a "Rainbow Wonderland"! This northern secret spot won't be accessible again until next year

Waterfalls strike the mountains covered in red leaves, mist wraps around the natural stone bridge, and autumn here looks like a spilled palette. When the late autumn wind sweeps across the Taihang Mountains, Fuping in Hebei welcomes the most brilliant moment of the year. From late October to mid-November is the season when Fuping’s autumn colors are at their peak, with the entire mountain range dyed in red, yellow, orange, and green, creating a colorful painting like a giant "Rainbow Wonderland." As the largest waterfall group in northern China and home to the country’s largest natural bridge formed from metamorphic rock, Fuping’s autumn offers not only visual shock but also a unique experience of geological wonders. This late autumn, why not avoid the crowds and unlock this stunning hidden gem nestled in the Taihang Mountains? --- 01 Natural Bridge Waterfalls: An Autumn Spectacle of Mountains and Water The perfect dance of waterfalls and red leaves The autumn at Fuping’s Natural Bridge Waterfall group is like a flowing painting. The waterfalls complement the colorful autumn leaves covering the mountains, with mist rising from the cascading water, dreamy and smoky. There are nine waterfalls of various sizes here, with the tallest, Yaotai Waterfall, having a drop of 112.5 meters. In autumn, the water volume is abundant, and the waterfalls plunge down the colorful cliffs, creating a natural masterpiece combining movement and stillness. China’s largest metamorphic rock natural bridge The Natural Bridge is a unique geological wonder formed by waterfall erosion and collapse along valley fissures. It is 27 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 13 meters high, forming a natural geological museum together with the waterfalls. Standing on the bridge, overlooking the deep canyon below and the colorful surrounding forests, is an unmissable autumn experience. Photo and check-in guide Best photo spots: Natural Bridge viewing platform, platform below Yaotai Waterfall Recommended shooting time: 9-11 AM, when the light is soft and you can capture the beauty of waterfalls and red leaves together Composition tips: Try using the flowing waterfall as the foreground and the colorful forest as the background to create depth 02 Baicaotuo: Golden Mountains with Panoramic Views Elevation advantage of 2144.5 meters As one of Fuping’s high points, climbing Baicaotuo offers a panoramic view of the entire scenic area’s autumn colors. The dense vegetation here shows a gradient of colors from green to gold to fiery red in autumn. Legend has it that the story of the well-known "Lotus Lantern" took place in Liaodaobei Village on the western slope of Baicaotuo, adding a mythical touch to the autumn scenery. A different kind of autumn in alpine meadows The Baicaotuo area covers hundreds of thousands of acres of wild terrain. In autumn, the meadows are no longer just green but form a colorful picture together with surrounding shrubs and white birch forests. Known as the place of "hundreds of grasses, hundreds of flowers, and hundreds of medicines," walking here lets you enjoy the scenery and the scent of grass. 03 Luotuo Bay Village: Autumn Warmth Under Red Lanterns An ancient village adorned with red lanterns Not far from the Natural Bridge scenic area, Luotuo Bay Village is a great place to experience Fuping’s rural autumn colors. In autumn, red lanterns decorate rows of guesthouses with blue bricks and gray tiles, harmonizing beautifully with the surrounding autumn mountains and forests. Autumn special experiences Here, you can stay in local guesthouses, savor the aroma of wild mountain stews on the dining table, and feel the simple rural life. At dusk, smoke curls from village chimneys, blending with the sunset and red lanterns to form a peaceful autumn countryside scene. 04 Sanyanzhai: Autumn Waters and Sky in One Color A tranquil place with clear lake water Autumn at Sanyanzhai has a unique charm, with dense vegetation, clear lake water, and layers of surrounding mountains and clouds, all painted in beautiful leaf colors. Ink-wash painting-like scenery The mountain rocks reflect in the clear water like an ink-wash painting, enchanting visitors. Compared to the spectacular waterfalls of the Natural Bridge, Sanyanzhai is more like a reserved maiden, showing the quiet beauty of Fuping’s autumn. 05 Practical Travel Guide Best visiting time Late October to mid-November: peak red leaves and richest colors Morning: fewer people, soft light, ideal for photography After rain and clear skies: mist lingers, making the scenery more poetic Transportation guide Location: Over 30 kilometers southwest of Fuping County, east side of Baicaotuo Suggestion: Self-driving is recommended; parking is available in the scenic area Itinerary suggestions One-day tour: Visit the Natural Bridge Waterfall group in the morning, then head to Baicaotuo for panoramic views in the afternoon Two-day tour: Day one visit Natural Bridge and Baicaotuo, stay overnight in Luotuo Bay Village guesthouse; day two visit Sanyanzhai Equipment recommendations · Comfortable hiking shoes · Camera (wide-angle lens for waterfalls, telephoto lens for close-ups of red leaves) · Warm clothing for the cooler mountain autumn temperatures --- As the sun sets, standing atop Baicaotuo, watching the afterglow gild the colorful forests, and the waterfall mist forming faint rainbows in the light and shadow, you will understand—Fuping’s late autumn is worth crossing mountains and seas to experience.