Waiting for a late autumn to encounter the red leaves of Chishan Lake and the flight of thousands of birds!

Stop worrying about where to go for the weekend in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai! This hidden wetland secret in East China lets you instantly step into a fairy-tale water forest.

Who says the autumn colors in Jiangnan aren’t rich enough? That’s because you haven’t been to Chishan Lake Wetland Park! Let me tell you, late autumn at Chishan Lake is stunning beyond words!

· Worried about crowds? The park covers 5,800 acres, spacious and sparsely populated, perfect to avoid the crowds.
· Afraid of walking too much? Unlimited rides on the 10 yuan sightseeing bus make it easy to visit all the main spots.
· Struggling with photos? Every snap looks like a masterpiece, no filters needed straight from your phone.

📍 Basic Information

· Location: Border of Nanjing, Jiangsu and Chuzhou, Anhui (navigate to Chishan Lake Wetland Park East Gate)
· Ticket: 109 RMB/person (buy a full-price ticket and get an 80 RMB boat ticket free)
· Transportation: Recommended to drive; free parking available outside the East Gate

🚣 Must-try Activities

1️⃣ Boat through the red water forest
Sit on the boat and glide through thousands of acres of Chishan trees. In late autumn, all the trees turn red, reflecting on the clear lake surface. Sailing through feels like entering a secluded red wonderland. The branches are full of migratory birds calmly watching us “intruders,” occasionally showing off their flying skills.

2️⃣ Stroll along the winding wooden boardwalk
Step off the boat and walk on the winding wooden boardwalk through the Chishan forest. The narrow path makes you feel completely immersed in the heart of the forest, with a strong sense of presence! It’s a perfect spot for photos, with rich composition layers—every shot looks ethereal and cinematic.

3️⃣ Watch the red-crowned crane release
At 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily, there is a red-crowned crane release show on Pine Crane Island. Watching a flock of red-crowned cranes spread their wings and soar, drawing graceful arcs against the blue sky and white clouds, is truly a breathtaking sight that might bring tears to your eyes!

4️⃣ Explore the mini zoo
There’s a small zoo inside the park with adorable animals like alpacas, meerkats, and peacocks. If you’re bringing kids, this place is definitely their happy paradise!

💡 Helpful Tips

· Best time: Late November to early December, when the Chishan trees are reddest and migratory birds are most abundant
· Duration: 2-3 hours is enough, easy and not tiring
· Food options: There are restaurants inside the park, or you can bring your own snacks. For local flavor, there are farmhouse restaurants outside the park
· Hidden gems: The park also features a lotus corridor, Swan Lake, and a crocodile pond.

🌟 Experience

As I slowly sailed into that red water forest on a small boat, I instantly understood what “boundless autumn colors” means. The Chishan trees shift from green to golden to deep red, layer upon layer, like a spilled palette. Crisp bird songs ring in my ears, and the air carries a faint scent of grass and wood.

Standing on the boardwalk, watching sunlight filter through the red Chishan leaves and scatter on the water, creating mottled shadows, all worries drifted away with the breeze. There’s no city noise here, only a rare harmony and tranquility between people and nature.

The most interesting part is that the park spans two provinces, Jiangsu and Anhui, so your phone signal jumps back and forth between the two, letting you experience the fun of crossing provinces in a second!

The autumn colors of Chishan Lake wait for no one—if you miss it, you’ll have to wait another year! Quickly invite your photo-loving friends and come feel the ultimate romance of this water cypress forest!