Jiaohe Red Leaf Valley Autumn Viewing Guide: A Hundred-Mile Red Leaf Corridor, Northeast China's Wildest Autumn Colors Revealed!​​

Jiaohe Red Leaf Valley is the pinnacle of autumn scenery in Northeast China! From September 25 to October 15, the hundred-mile valley turns red simultaneously, making it the largest scale in the country. Here, there is no delicate carving, only the majestic aura of the primeval forest—maple trees, oak trees, and birches splash waves of red and yellow, perfect for travelers seeking a stunning experience.
​📅 Best Time and Stages​
​Early Autumn (September 25 - October 3)​​: Yellow and green gradient, suitable for a fresh and light style.
​Peak Period (October 4 - 10)​​: Mountains covered in red, highest color saturation, the top choice for wide landscape shots.
​Late Autumn (October 11 - 15)​​: Fallen leaves cover the ground, ideal for close-ups with a sense of solitude.
​📸 Must-Shoot Spots List​
​Valley within a Valley​: The core essence section, with the maple king reaching 30 meters high; use a wide-angle lens to shoot the canopy against the sky.
​General's Altar​: Climb high to overlook the entire valley panorama; shoot the red "river" winding in the afternoon with front light.
​Stream Boardwalk​: Use slow shutter speed to capture flowing water and red leaf reflections; use a polarizing filter to eliminate glare.
​Lovers' Meadow​: Grassland plus red leaf forest, perfect for picnic atmosphere photos.
​🚗 Transportation and Itinerary​
​Self-driving​: 2 hours from Changchun, 1 hour from Jilin City, navigate to "Jiaohe Red Leaf Valley Scenic Area."
​Public Transport​: Take a shuttle bus from Jilin City Bus Station to Jiaohe, then transfer to a local minibus (about 1.5 hours).
​Recommended Duration​: At least half a day; for an in-depth visit, stay overnight to shoot morning and evening scenes.
​💡 Professional Tips​
Large temperature difference between morning and evening, bring a down jacket; no restaurants in the valley, self-heating rice can solve lunch.
Drone flying requires registration; National Day is crowded, it is recommended to visit on weekdays to avoid peak times.

Post by seraphine_lucieraven | Oct 19, 2025