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“I stop my car and sit to enjoy the maple forest in the evening, the frosted leaves are redder than the flowers in February.” More than 1,300 years ago, the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu admired the maple leaves and wrote this famous line that will be passed down through the ages!
"Red leaves and yellow flowers mark the late autumn, and I miss travelers thousands of miles away." "Birds roost on red leaf trees, and the moon shines on the mossy ground."... Throughout the dynasties, literati and poets could not help but cheer for the red leaves. Appreciating the red leaves seems to have become a kind of ritual since ancient times!
After September, it is the red leaf season again. Starting from October every year, the land of China from north to south will be ignited by this fiery red!
In China, we've found a truly stunning spot for viewing the autumn leaves! This 680-square-kilometer red foliage corridor is known as "Asia's longest natural red carpet." It's the largest red foliage viewing area in Asia, and the season lasts a month.
Although it's usually very low-key, netizens who have been there have said without exaggeration, "The autumn colors and red leaves here are miles ahead of Kyoto, Japan!" Some people even commented after visiting, "If you miss this place, you miss the whole autumn."
Although it is not that famous, it is a truly beautiful 5A-level scenic spot. This is Guangwu Mountain, known as "China's No. 1 Red Leaf Mountain"!
There is a saying in Sichuan: "Jiuzhaigou is for water, Guangwu is for mountain". The beauty of Jiuzhaigou has long been known to the world, and Guangwu Mountain, which is as famous as Jiuzhaigou, is equally stunningly beautiful but is rarely included in travel lists.
It is located in the central region of the motherland. Compared with the southwest and northwest where the roads are long and remote, it is very easy to reach. It is located in Bazhong, Sichuan, but is also very close to Xi'an, Shaanxi. It can be reached directly by high-speed rail, which is just right for a one-stop service of eating, drinking and having fun!
Starting from October every year, the mountains are covered with red leaves, which are brilliant and dazzling. It is so beautiful that even CCTV praises it!
There is a huge red leaf viewing area with more than 40 kinds of colorful plants. You no longer have to squeeze in a fixed position to take pictures. Just pick up your camera and take beautiful photos!
Poet Gao Pingyun said, "Go to Jiuzhaigou to see the water, and go to Guangwu to see the mountains. If you don't see all the mountains and water, you haven't really been to Sichuan."
The full name of Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area is "Nuoshui River National Geopark". It is located in the Migang Mountain area in the north of Bazhong City and is named after the clouds and mist that surround it all year round.
Guangwu Mountain is divided into five scenic areas: Taoyuan, Daba, Shibayuetan, Shenmen Cave, and Xiaowuxia. It is also known as "China's No. 1 Mountain for Red Leaves" because of the red leaves all over the mountains in the golden autumn!
Only when you go there in person can you truly feel that this name is not an exaggeration.
It has been listed as China's 36th World Geopark by UNESCO because it not only has the world-famous red leaves, but also has mountains, water, waterfalls, and leopards!
Every year from mid-October to mid-November, when fiery red leaves ignite every mountaintop, one tree leads the way, and all the mountains respond. The vibrant colors surge and undulate in the wind, embodying the essence of autumn to its fullest.
Walking along the ancient plank road beside the cliff, you will see clear streams and colorful mountain forests on the side of the road. The essence of Guangwu Mountain is concentrated in the gullies, and the Eighteen Moon Lake and the dam are the essence of the essence!
The Eighteen Moon Pond lies in the 3-kilometer-long Pearl Valley deep in the dense forest of Guangwu Mountain. There are 18 crescent-shaped quiet pools and waterfalls scattered around, and winding wooden plank roads connect them. The scenery changes with every step, and it is so beautiful!
Someone once said that Eighteen Moon Lake is the "Jiuzhaigou" of Daba Mountain. Its blue waters resemble Jiuzhaigou, and its red leaves are the most beautiful in the world!
The pools are big and small, the water is deep and shallow, and there is scenery at every step with flowing water!
In the afternoon, the mist was about to dissipate, rising slowly and floating, and the mountains gradually showed clear outlines, like a dream!
Its charm lies in the fact that no matter whether it is sunny or rainy, the red leaves here are so gorgeous and moving, and a polarizing filter and a neutral density filter are enough!
The stream flows through the mountains covered with red leaves, gathering into waterfalls that leap and cascade down, forming a beautiful autumn picture with the colorful forests all over the mountains!
After seeing the red leaves and clear waterfalls at Eighteen Moon Lake, let’s take a look at the colorful forests covered with red leaves all over the mountains!
The Dam Scenic Area is one of the best places to enjoy the red leaves in Guangwu Mountain, and Black Bear Valley is the highlight of the Dam Scenic Area!
The world-class beauty belies its unassuming name. The entire ravine stretches only two kilometers, making it a compact and exquisite sight. Both sides of the ravine are densely lined with colorful trees, with a seamless color transition from dark red to orange-red, and from yellow to green-yellow.
Coupled with the winding creek, there are almost ten scenes in one step, making it hard to believe that the wonderful colors in the camera viewfinder are from the real world!
The Natural Gallery and the Big and Small Langgou are also must-sees! This is a kingdom of colors. Look up, look straight, and look down, and you will see beautiful scenery everywhere!
There are many birds in the mountains, and they are not afraid of human voices. The crisp bird calls make this place more lively. They are free elves, flying between the towering rocks and the lush mountains, free and happy.
Guangwu Mountain is located at the junction of Sichuan and Shaanxi. Compared with Xinjiang and Northeast China, where you have to travel across half of China to see the red leaves, it is very easy to reach here. Cities such as Xi'an and Chengdu can be reached directly by high-speed rail!
The best time to enjoy the red leaves of Guangwu Mountain is between October 15th and November 5th, which is different from the National Day holiday. There is no need to worry about crowds.
Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area covers a total of 830 square kilometers, 580 square kilometers of which are covered in red leaves, accounting for 70% of the total area! The dazzling red leaves covering the mountains are definitely a reason to travel thousands of miles to visit this place!
The autumn colors of Guangwu Mountain last for a full month, so you won't return empty-handed no matter when you visit! Unlike some places where the autumn colors only last for a dozen days, if you go at the wrong time, you will be left with nothing but empty trees!
The most important thing is that the autumn colors here are really invincible! More than 40 different varieties of trees form a colorful world of blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The color of the leaves changes with the change of altitude, which is very layered.
Guangwu Mountain's crimson leaves boast over 40 varieties, including Fagus sylvatica and Rosaceae. Not only are they diverse, but they also come from prestigious families! After visiting the scenic area, a foreign botanist once dubbed the Guangwu Mountain area the "Golden Zone" and the crimson leaves "Golden Leaves."
Guangwu Mountain, located at the border of Sichuan and Shaanxi, offers a great option for a quick trip starting from Xi'an! We've developed slightly different itineraries for photography enthusiasts and those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.
Photography enthusiasts who want to capture slow-motion shots of flowing water or sweeping crimson leaves across the mountains! Or casual travelers who just want to relax and enjoy the beauty of the crimson leaves! China-TravelNote is the perfect place for you!
The best viewing season for Guangwu Mountain is from October 15th to November 5th each year. We will arrange the tour and photography of the core scenic area during the week!
Avoid the weekend crowds! Capture the tranquil beauty of nature instead of the crowds!
China-TravelNote's professional photography team leader is stationed at Guangwu Mountain and is familiar with the best photography locations and times along the scenic route!
Learn about local specialties and quickly learn about them! Guangwu Mountain offers theoretical instruction on board and practical guidance off board, ensuring you'll have stunning photos to share with your friends!
Stay at the Dam Transfer Point, the heart of the scenic area! Sleep amidst the vibrant forest, with breathtaking views just outside your window! Enjoy convenient access to all attractions, leaving you plenty of time to capture the stunning sunsets and sunrises, creating your own stunning moments.
This photography tour from Xi'an not only includes Guangwu Mountain, but also Taibai Mountain and the Qinling Mountains! Explore more of these sights and even get a glimpse of the national treasure, the golden snub-nosed monkey!
As one of China-TravelNote's October autumn photography tours, we're constantly optimizing our routes and resources to provide a better experience for photographers. We focus on photography, eliminating unnecessary attractions, avoiding rushing itineraries, increasing creative time, optimizing resources, upgrading accommodations, and ensuring prime departure times for quality travel.
Leisure tours departing from Xi'an will meet directly in Hanzhong, saving you a 4-hour bus ride from Xi'an to Hanzhong! We'll explore the Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area in depth, taking in the Eighteen Moon Lake, the Dam Scenic Area, and the Taoyuan Scenic Area all at once! Staying in Guangwu Mountain Town for two consecutive nights ensures you have no regrets!
For 2 days, travel freely in a small VIP group of 4-6 people in a small car, with high-quality service from your driver and guide. You can choose from mountain view rooms or ordinary accommodations, and spend a relaxing weekend enjoying the autumn scenery!
Mid-October is the peak season for viewing the red leaves in Guangwu Mountain. Hurry and hop on this train to autumn!
Go during off-peak hours to enjoy the romance among the red leaves all over the mountains!
