Golden Fairy Tale Village Walking Guide

As an autumn enthusiast, this year I finally set my destination to Tengchong Ginkgo Village. Without making complicated plans, I just grabbed my camera and set off. Unexpectedly, this small village hidden on the border holds autumn’s romance so deeply. Day 1: First Encounter, Entering the Golden Fairy Tale Village It takes about an hour by taxi from Tengchong city center. Just entering the village entrance, I was stunned—the ancient ginkgo trees lining the road spread like giant golden umbrellas. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering golden fragments, and the fallen leaves crunched underfoot. Even the air carried a faint scent of ginkgo. The guesthouse I stayed at is in the core area of Chen Family Village. Opening the window, there were several century-old ginkgo trees. The owner said this area has the densest ginkgo trees in the whole village. After dropping off my luggage, I couldn’t wait to explore the village. The ancient tree group at the entrance of the Li Family Courtyard was very imposing, with trunks so thick that two people had to hug them. The fallen leaves on the ground piled up to ankle height. In the evening, I squatted in front of the old temple waiting for the sunset. When the wind blew, golden leaves fluttered down. I quickly took continuous shots on my phone, capturing the moment of the "golden rain." For dinner, I chose Lao Yang’s Restaurant recommended by villagers. The must-try ginkgo stewed free-range chicken did not disappoint. The free-range chicken had firm meat, and the soup floated with round ginkgo nuts, tasting rich but not greasy. I also ordered a cold tree flower salad, which was refreshing and perfectly cut through the richness. Paired with local rice, I ate two big bowls in one go. Day 2: Deep Exploration, Unlocking Hidden Photo Spots Following the guesthouse owner’s advice, I got up at six in the morning to rush to the high viewpoint. The morning mist hadn’t cleared yet, and the whole village looked wrapped in a golden veil. As the sun rose, the mist slowly dispersed, revealing the village bathed in molten gold. At this time, there was no need to compete for photo spots; every shot was wallpaper-worthy. During the day, I discovered several lesser-known corners: I navigated to the secret trail of Xiaoxin Village, where there were few people and wild scenery. The fallen leaves were 10 centimeters thick. Wearing light-colored clothes and standing inside, the photos had an instantly enhanced atmospheric feel. There was also the old house ruins area, where collapsed earthen walls were piled with golden fallen leaves, creating a unique "ruin aesthetic." Every casual shot told a story. For lunch, I skipped the big restaurant at the village entrance and walked 50 meters further into the village to find a small shop run by an elderly lady. A bowl of ginkgo nut stewed chicken soup cost only 10 yuan and was so fresh I could lick the bowl clean. After tiring from the afternoon walk, I sat in a villager’s courtyard, ordered a cup of tea, and basked in the sun while watching an old lady drying corn and ham under the ginkgo trees. The slow pace of life was so comfortable. In the evening, I returned to Chen Family Village. The light was especially soft then. Using the portrait mode on my phone, with ginkgo trees in the foreground and people faintly visible in the frame, the layering effect instantly appeared. Before leaving, I bought a pound of fresh ginkgo nuts for only 10 yuan, planning to cook them at home. Day 3: Final Moments, Leaving with Golden Memories Before leaving, I took one last stroll around the village and found many villagers selling ginkgo handicrafts, including leaf vein bookmarks and ginkgo specimens. The prices were reasonable, so I picked a few as souvenirs. Passing by a small shop, I bought a bag of pine pollen cake made with wild pine pollen. It was fragrant, sweet, and soft—so good I couldn’t stop eating while walking. When organizing photos, I realized I didn’t want to delete a single one from these three days: the ancient village in the morning mist, the piles of fallen leaves in the afternoon, the "golden rain" at sunset, and the steaming ginkgo stewed chicken at the dining table. The best trips aren’t about rushing to scenic spots but about slowly catching the romance autumn offers in such a small village. Heartfelt Tips (Tested and Useful!) • Timing: Mid to late November through early December is peak season, but avoid weekends for fewer crowds and cheaper prices. • Outfit: Light-colored clothes look best in photos. Bring a red scarf as a prop to instantly brighten the shots. • Avoid: Don’t buy overpriced souvenirs at the scenic area entrance. Fresh ginkgo nuts from the village and pine pollen cake from the market are more affordable. Don’t shake the ginkgo trees; naturally fallen leaves are the most beautiful. If autumn had a shape, it would definitely be the look of Tengchong Ginkgo Village. Every fallen leaf and every ray of sunlight here holds the most healing moments. Once you come, you really don’t want to leave.