Forget about those messy guides, just feel it! That's all you need~
Autumn in Wuhu is a palette moistened by water — Longwo Lake's reed beds shimmer with fragmented golden sunlight, Taoxin Shuiyun's late lotuses hold a surprising out-of-season charm, and Shenshan Park's metasequoia forest is brewing a color revolution.
🌅 First Stop: Longwo Lake — A 9.2-kilometer lakeside autumn light-chasing journey
In the faint morning light, Longwo Lake resembles a beautiful dream undisturbed by the mundane world, tranquil and distant. The 9.2-kilometer lakeside trail, gently moistened by the dew that quietly condensed last night, allows you to hear the subtle, crisp rustle of grass leaves with every step, like the earth's whisper awakening in the dawn.
If you are passionate about photography, we recommend entering from the West Gate and strolling leisurely along the lakeside boardwalk. This is the perfect time to photograph the reed beds against the light. The silvery-white reed plumes, each adorned with glistening morning dew, shimmer with fragmented yet brilliant light under the gentle caress of the rising sun, as if someone had inadvertently scattered a handful of tiny diamonds, sparkling magnificently and breathtakingly beautiful.
For friends who love cycling, renting a mountain bike and freely traversing the dedicated cycling path parallel to the walking trail is undoubtedly a romantic encounter with nature. As the autumn breeze gently lifts your clothes, bringing a hint of coolness and fresh air, you might unexpectedly and delightfully encounter a flock of egrets. They are like nimble spirits, suddenly gliding gracefully across the shimmering water. Their pure white wingtips cut through the orange-red glow of the sky, leaving behind elegant and fleeting arcs, as if nature is meticulously sketching vibrant strokes on the magnificent canvas of the sky.
🌿 Second Stop: Taoxin Shuiyun — Out-of-season blooms in autumn lotus ponds
Who says there are no lotuses in autumn? Taoxin Shuiyun's vast lotus ponds hold a seasonal surprise — the "Feihong Lotus" cultivated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences is blooming profusely, with purplish-red double petals taller than a person, and 123 petals gently swaying in the autumn breeze. Take a Wupeng boat through the ancient "well-shaped" water system; as the oars disturb the reflections on the water, you'll pass by the legendary ferry where Xiao Qiao once washed her rouge. The old boatwoman will point to the new, budding lotuses by the shore and say, "This variety only blooms after the Frost's Descent."
For lunch, you must experience the intangible cultural heritage "Handan Banquet": steamed pork with glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaves, fragrant and light; lotus seed and white fungus soup, sweet and moisturizing; and the most exquisite is the lotus pastry, where biting into the flaky crust reveals a flowing lotus paste filling. We recommend staying at the Qingfeng Heyun Homestay in Shadun Village. In the afternoon, you can follow the host to the lotus pond to pick lotus pods; the plump lotus seeds can be peeled and eaten immediately, their sweet juice instantly dispelling the autumn dryness. In the evening, take a stroll by the polder fields, watching the sunset gild the ten vertical and ten horizontal ancient waterways, as if stepping into a living fossil of Northern Song Dynasty hydraulic engineering.
🍂 Third Stop: Shenshan Park — Autumn Symphony beneath the Metasequoia Forest
On the morning of the second day, Shenshan Park is already filled with the fragrance of osmanthus. Shortly after entering from the South Gate, you'll see the Metasequoia Avenue beginning to change color, with the leaves at the top first turning caramel, like the trees are wearing golden crowns. Ascending along the "Oxygen Bar Trail," sunlight filters through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows, and thick pine needles form a soft carpet underfoot. Occasionally, you might find spiky wild chestnuts. Halfway up the mountain, the secluded Yinjing Temple has century-old ginkgo trees, their golden leaves falling onto the bluestone slabs, creating a wonderful Zen ambiance with the scent of incense.
If you happen to catch the Autumn Music Festival in mid-to-late October (held annually around this time), folk songs will drift from the Lotus Heart Stage, and camping coffee trucks and creative markets will be scattered across the lawn. We recommend trying the ginkgo leaf rubbing at the handicraft stalls; you can make your own unique bookmark using fallen leaves collected in the park. In the evening, ascend to the main peak of Shenshan to overlook the entire city's autumn scenery. The shimmering waters of Longwo Lake in the distance and the polder fields of Taoxin nearby form a layered painting, and the evening breeze carries wafts of osmanthus fragrance, making for Wuhu's gentlest autumn finale.
📍 Practical Itinerary Guide
Transportation Connection: Longwo Lake is about a 40-minute drive from Taoxin Shuiyun, and Taoxin to Shenshan Park is 35 minutes. Self-driving is recommended, and use navigation to avoid small roads in the polder areas.
Best Time: For morning photos at Longwo Lake, 7:00-9:00 AM; Taoxin lotuses are best in the afternoon light; Shenshan metasequoias enter their peak period in late October.
Outfit Suggestions: The lakeside can be windy, so bring a windbreaker. For hiking in Shenshan, light hiking shoes are recommended. You can bring a silk scarf as a photo prop.
Hidden Benefits: Guests staying at Taoxin Shuiyun can participate in the lotus picking experience for free. Shenshan Park often has small autumn photography classes organized by local photographers on weekends.
From the natural wilderness of Longwo Lake to the cultural water town of Taoxin Shuiyun, and then to the dynamic and serene Shenshan Park, Wuhu's autumn uses water as a thread, connecting multiple surprises of wetlands, lotus ponds, and forests. Come to Wuhu this season, and with every step, you can feel nature's rhythm, and with every glance, you can collect the limited beauty of autumn.