Autumn Poetry: Savor the Beauty — China’s Landscapes Embrace the Charm of Maple

Text provided by Qidou Travel Network | Photos by Xihong Holidays

The most picturesque autumn scenery is none other than the crimson maple landscapes of China’s mountains and waters. Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, the Five-Flower Mountains of the Northeast, Yuntai Mountain in Henan, the Gudong Waterfall in Guilin, and the Simatai section of the Great Wall in Beijing don summer’s attire for autumn under the call of the season. Meanwhile, the red leaves of Huangshan, Lushan, and Zhangjiajie add even more color to these world-class vistas. China’s grand mountains and vast waters, alive with autumn poetry
, are the perfect choice for experiencing the world’s scenic charm.

Sichuan’s Jiuzhaigou: A Myriad of Maple Charms

They say you won’t want to see any other water after returning from Jiuzhaigou, and autumn visits are especially unique. The forests, painted in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and green, reflect exquisitely on the water, blending mountain and lake in breathtaking harmony. Equally popular is the Huanglong Scenic Area, surrounded by woodlands and serene primeval forests. Over 3,400 naturally formed, colorful pools cascade down the mountain gorges. Viewed from above, they resemble a soaring dragon amidst the vast primeval forest.

Northeast China’s Changbai Mountain: Breathtaking Maple Views

As one of China’s top ten famous mountains, Changbai Mountain is the foremost peak of the Guandong region, rivaling the Five Great Mountains. Its autumn maple scenery is particularly captivating. The Laobian Gully Scenic Area boasts a pleasant climate and stunning views, especially in golden October when the mountains are blanketed in red leaves, making it a pilgrimage site for photography enthusiasts. The popular Red Beach features clusters of red seepweed resembling coral emerging from the water or a vast crimson carpet, complementing the distant reed marshes and blue waves. The must-visit Five-Flower Mountains, a type of autumn scenery in the thousand-mile forests of Yichun, Heilongjiang, emerge as temperatures drop and cold air arrives. Leaves begin to change, displaying various shades of green, white, yellow, red, and purple, gradually forming the Five-Flower Mountains and drawing crowds of leaf-peepers.

Henan’s Qingtian River: Crimson Leaves Along the Shore

Located at the border of Shanxi and Henan provinces in Bo’ai County, Henan, the Qingtian River offers up to two months of prime leaf-viewing. In autumn, the area becomes a sea of red among layered forests. The spectacular sight of “deeper colors beneath the frost, redder than February flowers” delivers a profoundly moving visual impact. Meanwhile, Yuntai Mountain, one of the world’s first global geoparks, is famed for its Danxia landform in the Red Stone Gorge and the waterfall-filled Tanpu Gorge, also known as Little Zhai Gully. When autumn arrives, the mountains are ablaze with red foliage.

Guilin’s Gudong Waterfall: Competing for Maple Glory

Just 25 kilometers from downtown Guilin, the Gudong Waterfall in Daxu Ancient Town, Lingchuan County, is a newly popular destination. The forested section of the Gudong Scenic Area features hundreds of acres of maple woods, which turn dazzling shades of red in late autumn. Not far away, the Ocean Ginkgo Scenic Area is home to nearly a million ginkgo trees, including over 17,000 that are over a hundred years old, earning it the title “China’s No. 1 Ginkgo Hometown.” In late autumn, the leaves turn golden yellow, offering the most beautiful interpretation of seasonal change.

Beijing’s North Water Ancient Town: Elegant Maple Appreciation

Beijing is steeped in boundless history and culture, but for autumn scenery, head to the North Water Ancient Town. This ancient town, with a history of a thousand years, exudes a quaint and elegant atmosphere. Its rows of houses, flagstone-paved streets, and long hutongs all showcase the charm of a northern small town during the Republican era. The Simatai section of the Great Wall, the only well-preserved Ming Dynasty structure, has been recognized by UNESCO as “primitive Great Wall” and ranked by The Times of London as “the No. 1 of 25 must-see landscapes in the world.” It’s also an excellent spot for maple viewing.

Shandong’s Red Leaf Valley: Scenic Splendor at Colorful Autumn Lake

Shandong’s Red Leaf Valley Scenic Area boasts breathtaking lakes and mountains, especially the Colorful Autumn Lake. The pavilions and green hills on the shore, reflected in the water alongside the red leaves, become even more vibrant and colorful in autumn, living up to its name.

Anhui’s Huangshan: A Grand Maple Experience

Huangshan lies within a subtropical monsoon climate zone. Due to its high mountains and deep valleys, the climate varies vertically. Additionally, differing sunlight exposure on the northern and southern slopes, along with local terrain, shapes its climate—marked by frequent clouds, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. The main peak, Lotus Peak, stands at 1,865 meters. The mountain’s six major scenic areas—the Hot Spring, Cloud Valley, Pine Valley, North Sea, Jade Screen, and Fishing Bridge—are picturesque, especially resplendent in autumn.

Jiangxi’s Lushan and Wuyuan

Late autumn to early winter is the best time to admire Lushan’s fiery red maple leaves. The flaming French plane trees and maple forests, layered in vibrant hues, create a picturesque scene. In Wuyuan, the red maples peek through the morning mist, while the smoke from villagers’ cooking in the early hours gathers in the valley, forming a dreamlike fairyland.

Xinjiang’s Golden Autumn Poplar Landscape

Xinjiang’s Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest Park is a natural scenic destination that combines the natural beauty of the Tarim River, poplar landscapes, desert views, and petroleum industry sights. The sightseeing area leads visitors through an ancient poplar forest via a long scenic road, where they can admire the various forms of pristine poplars along the way. The leisure and entertainment area connects four to five larger forest lakes with a 13-kilometer circular route. In golden autumn, the shores are lined with lush, golden poplars that reflect beautifully on the water.

Hunan’s Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon combines mountains, water, and caves. The valley teems with playful monkeys, chirping birds, crystal-clear lakes, and mountain reflections. Mandarin ducks play in the water amid fresh air—an absolutely unique experience. Heading to Chongshan, the deep autumn brings red leaves across the mountains and several ginkgo groves, creating enchanting autumn hues like colorful pearls embedded in the towering, majestic peaks—an awe-inspiring and desirable sight.

More Related Information
Seasonal Exclusive: Highlights of China’s Maple-Red Landscapes
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