Miss it and wait another year—The suburban Beijing red leaf plank road has reached its "peak" viewing stage

📍Navigation address: Shuiyu Folk Village, Nanjiao Township, Fangshan District, Beijing

📅 Best viewing period
The red leaves in Shuiyu Village belong to the typical temperate deciduous forest of North China, with the main tree species being Chinese sumac (the most abundant, with deep red leaves), Acer Truncatum (red to yellow gradient), torch tree (orange-red, with thicker leaves), and wild apricot (turning orange-yellow in the later stage).

- Best viewing time: Mid-October to early November each year (adjusted according to the temperature of the year)
- Early red period (mid-October): Chinese sumac begins to turn red, interwoven with still green leaves and some yellowing Acer Truncatum, presenting a "colorful" layered effect, suitable for visitors who like soft tones.
- Peak red period (late October to early November): Most Chinese sumac turns deep red/purplish red, torch tree and Acer Truncatum reach their best state, the entire plank road is covered with red leaves, forming a strong visual contrast with the gray tiles and white walls of the ancient village, making it a golden period for photography.
- Late period (after early November): Red leaves gradually fall, but if the weather is clear, the remaining red leaves appear more translucent under the sunlight, suitable for "last-minute" photography.

🗺️ Red Leaf Plank Road Travel Guide
1. Plank road location and routes
The red leaf plank road in Shuiyu Village is not a single path but a series of ecological trails connected together. The core areas include:
- Ancient trade route red leaf section: A restored stone slab path along the ancient trade route from the Ming and Qing dynasties (the camel bell ancient road connecting Beijing and Shanxi), flanked by naturally growing Chinese sumac, with gentle slopes, suitable for slow walking and photography.
- Ridge viewing plank road: A wooden plank road on the north side of the village (partly imitation wood cement plank road), at an altitude of about 300-400 meters, with a wide view overlooking the entire Shuiyu Village and the mountains covered with red leaves (recommended at sunrise/sunset).
- River colorful leaf trail: Along the creek passing through the village (a tributary of the Nanjiao River), torch trees and Acer Truncatum are planted on both sides. In autumn, the red leaves reflect in the water, perfect for family fun.

Recommended route: Village entrance parking lot → Ancient trade route entrance (Folk Square) → Walk 1 km along the stone slab road to the ridge plank road (about 20 minutes) → Climb to the viewing platform → Return the same way or descend from the other side to the river trail (total about 3-4 km, hiking 1.5-2 hours).

2. Folk village supporting experiences
- Free ancient village tour: The village has well-preserved Yang Family Courtyard (a wealthy merchant’s residence from the Qing Dynasty), Niangniang Temple (Ming Dynasty building), and ancient millstone groups (12 stone mills over a hundred years old), allowing visitors to feel the historical charm of a northern mountain village.
- Specialty food: The village has several farmhouse restaurants, recommended dishes include stewed firewood chicken, flatbread, rainbow trout, and wild vegetables (such as magnolia buds, Sichuan pepper buds), with an average cost of about 50-80 RMB per person.
- Accommodation: The village has guesthouses (such as "Shuiyu Renjia" and "Guyun Inn"), mostly renovated northern siheyuan courtyards, clean and tidy, where you can listen to insects and watch the stars at night (advance booking required).

⚠️ Notes
1. Transportation tips:
- Laibao Road is a secondary mountain road with many bends and narrow sections (some parts only allow one vehicle to pass), honking is required in no-passing zones; in winter (after November) there may be snow accumulation, so anti-skid chains are needed.
- The village parking lot is small (about 30-40 spaces), often full on weekends/holidays, it is recommended to arrive before 9 am or park at the temporary parking lot at the village entrance (5-minute walk into the village).