Exploring the Secret Realm of Siming Mountain: 42 Kilometers of Cloud Road, Autumn Red Leaves, and Ancient Village Tour

This autumn, there’s no need to travel far to Wuyuan in Jiangxi; Zhejiang’s Siming Mountain hides the most splendid autumn colors in the Jiangnan region.

Siming Mountain, known as Zhejiang’s “Second Lushan” and a “Natural Oxygen Bar,” transforms into a golden fairyland of red leaves every autumn. As a secret paradise for self-driving enthusiasts from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, the Siming Mountain winding mountain road stretches 42.8 kilometers with over 100 bends, earning it the nickname “Eastern Zhejiang’s Tanggu La.”

Here you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, sea of clouds in summer, red maples in autumn, and rime ice in winter. The most stunning season is the red leaf season from late October to mid-November, when the mountains are dyed in vibrant colors by red maples and ginkgo trees.

✨ Trip Highlights

· Classic Essential Experiences: Self-driving on Siming Mountain winding road, touring Danshan Chishui Scenic Area, autumn viewing in Shilin Ancient Village, sightseeing at Baishuichong Waterfall.
· Unique Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences: Exploring the Maowo Ancient Tree Group, strolling through Luting Zhongcun, watching the sea of clouds from Bailu Shifeng Viewing Platform.

📍 Itinerary Plan: 2 Days 1 Night Essential Tour

Day 1: Siming Lake → Winding Mountain Road → Shilin Village

Morning: Depart from Hangzhou or Shanghai and head to Liangnong Town, Yuyao. Taste the warm Liangnong Big Cake (glutinous rice fragrance mixed with osmanthus honey), paired with a bowl of freshly ground soy milk, savoring the sweetness of intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship. Then head to Siming Lake; even outside autumn, the dawn-wrapped dawn redwood forest in summer looks like a green fairy just waking up. Arrive before 8 a.m. to see the lake surface so still it reflects the entire sky, making every photo look like a dreamy ink painting.

Afternoon: Start the challenge of Siming Mountain winding road’s “hairpin bends.” The continuous 180-degree S-curves look like the mountain road is dancing. It’s recommended to drive before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. when sunlight slants across the road and there are fewer cars and people. Aerial shots capture the road’s graceful curves beautifully. Along the way, you can stop at Baishuichong Waterfall, where a 55-meter cascade plunges into a pool, spraying cool mist.

Evening: Arrive at Shilin Village. This thousand-year-old ancient village is hidden deep in the mountains, with every household’s drying racks full of red persimmons in autumn. The village’s bluestone paths are densely shaded by green trees, with rammed earth walls and wooden window lattices creating a Japanese-style fresh vibe that makes you want to sit on the doorstep and daydream. Be sure to try the local farmhouse meals, stir-fried freshly picked wild vegetables so fresh they melt on your tongue, followed by a sip of persimmon wine from the old Shilin winery, sweet and sour with fruity aroma.

Accommodation Options:

· Persimmons Turned Red Homestay: Open the window to a panoramic view of the mountain covered in red leaves and the ancient village, with a fireplace in the room—roasting by the fire and drinking hot tea at night is pure bliss.
· Dalan Town Mountain Lodge: The mountain air carries the scent of grass and trees, and you’ll sleep much more soundly than in the city.

Day 2: Ancient Tree Group → Viewing Platform → Return Trip

Morning: After breakfast, head to the Maowo Ancient Tree Group for a walk. The thousand-year-old golden larch here has shiny green leaves (turning yellow in autumn), with sunlight filtering through the branches to weave a pattern of light spots on the ground. Hiking and breathing the fresh air feels even more refreshing than drinking iced soda. Then proceed to Bailu Shifeng Viewing Platform. Come early morning to wait for the sea of clouds! When the mist drifts over the valley, distant villages and terraced fields appear faintly, and windmills turn in the sea of clouds, as if you’ve entered a fairyland.

Afternoon: You can choose to visit Danshan Chishui Scenic Area or Luting Zhongcun. Early autumn Zhongcun looks like a stunning landscape painting. The Baiyun Bridge, a steep arched single-hole old stone bridge, is perfect for photos. Then start the return journey.

🍁 Best Time and Places for Autumn Viewing

Siming Mountain covers a large area, so the best viewing times vary. It’s recommended to choose based on timing:

· Low Altitude Areas (e.g., Maowo Village, about 500 meters): Best from late October, with the thousand-year-old ancient maple at the village entrance turning red first.
· Mid Altitude Areas (e.g., Bailu Shifeng Viewing Platform, about 800 meters): Best in early November, where the Japanese maple turns the most vibrant red.
· High Altitude Areas (e.g., Geological Park, about 1000 meters): Peak viewing in mid-November, where maple leaves and Huangshan pines create a striking contrast of orange-red and dark green.

📸 Photography Tips

· Lighting: Avoid shooting at noon; sunrise and sunset light is the gentlest and naturally filters your photos. The best time to shoot red leaves and sea of clouds is between 7-9 a.m. when the light is soft.
· Clothing Suggestions: Wear caramel or beige tops to complement the autumn scenery. Light-colored clothes look clean when shooting ginkgo and provide contrast with red leaves.
· Equipment: Telephoto lenses are needed for close-ups and distant shots of red leaves. Aerial drone shots better capture the road’s curves.

🍜 Food Recommendations

· Liangnong Big Cake: Glutinous rice fragrance mixed with osmanthus honey, a sweet intangible cultural heritage delicacy.
· Mountain Spring Chicken Pot: Slow-cooked with mountain spring water, the chicken is tender and juicy, with local greens sprinkled in the soup for an amazing fresh taste!
· Persimmon Cakes: Handmade by village aunties, soft, glutinous, and sweet. You can also buy persimmon jam and dried persimmons as souvenirs.
· Farmhouse Dishes: Shepherd’s purse tofu, dried bamboo shoots with pork, black rice mochi, and freshly picked wild vegetables.

⚠️ Practical Tips

· Transportation: Mountain roads have many bends; if arriving late, notify the mountain lodge in advance to avoid meeting cars on dark roads. Download offline maps! Some sections have weak signals.
· Avoid Pitfalls: Try not to visit on weekends (especially Saturday noon, when traffic jams are common). Depart before 7 a.m. and return after 3 p.m. to avoid highway congestion.
· Gear:
· UV rays are strong in May; remember to bring a hat and mosquito repellent. Mountain temperatures vary greatly between morning and night, so bring a light jacket.
· Wear hiking-appropriate shoes and clothing: creek shoes/sandals, quick-dry clothes, lightweight windbreaker, sun and mosquito protection, waterproof phone pouch.
· Bring a folding stool; viewing platforms often lack seats, so sitting while enjoying the view and snacks is truly relaxing.
· Environmental Protection: Do not climb railings or enter rushing streams after heavy rain; carry out all trash.

The autumn colors of Siming Mountain are a brief but brilliant feast. When you drive along the winding mountain road, surrounded by flying red leaves and the whispering wind, you’ll realize the most beautiful scenery is always on the road.