Miss it and wait a whole year! The 3-day 2-night self-driving guide for the Miyaluo Red Leaf Season is here

Girls! The autumn in Miyaluo, China's largest red leaf area, is truly legendary! I went there at the end of October last year, and the entire 3,688 square kilometers of colorful forest spread across the valleys like flames. Here’s a detailed nanny-level guide for you to keep～
🚗 3-day 2-night self-driving itinerary (starting from Chengdu)
Day 1: Chengdu → Gergou Hot Springs (3.5-hour drive)
Depart from Chengdu at 8 AM, have yak meat hot pot for lunch in Lixian (recommend "Liu’s Old Brand," about 50 RMB per person, super fresh!)
In the afternoon, head straight to Gergou Hot Springs Hotel. Soaking in the hot springs while admiring the colorful forest is the real deal! Recommend "Ramada Gergou," the infinity pool is perfect for photos.
Overnight in Gergou, remember to rest early to adapt to the altitude (around 3500 meters).
Day 2: Gergou → Miyaluo Red Leaf Valley → Bipenggou
After breakfast, drive 30 minutes to Red Leaf Valley. It’s recommended to park at "Siboguo Village Nursery" (free parking for 10 cars), then hike into the valley from here.
Hiking route: Nursery → Red Leaf Valley Viewing Platform → River Valley Stream → Alpine Meadow (6-8 km total, about 4 hours)
In the afternoon, drive 40 minutes to Bipenggou to catch the snow mountain reflection before sunset. The autumn colors of Panyang Lake rival Jiuzhaigou!
Overnight in a Tibetan-style guesthouse in Lixian, experience butter tea and tsampa.
Day 3: Lixian → Mengtun Valley → Return to Chengdu
In the morning, visit the lesser-known secret spot Mengtun Valley, which has 24 unique valleys. Recommended light hike in Laojun Valley (about 2 hours).
Have wild mushroom soup at a Tibetan family’s home for lunch. On the way back to Chengdu, stop by Taoping Qiang Village for photos.
📸 Photo spots list:
1️⃣ Red Leaf Valley Viewing Platform (1.5 km hiking point): Use a wide-angle lens for panoramic shots, the light is softest at 9 AM.
2️⃣ Bipenggou Panyang Lake: Shoot snow mountain reflections in the afternoon with front light; wearing a red or white long dress looks magical.
3️⃣ Mengtun Valley Sangberge Viewing Platform: Overhead shots of larch forests, the golden carpet is super dreamy.
💡 Unique experiences:
Enjoy the colorful forest alone at dawn: Enter Red Leaf Valley before 8 AM to have the secret spot all to yourself.
Tibetan costume experience: Rent traditional Tibetan clothes (30 RMB/set) at Lixian guesthouses and take stunning photos in the colorful forest.
Sea buckthorn picking: Sea buckthorn ripens in October, you can pick the sweet and sour little berries by the roadside.
🎒 Gear recommendations:
• Anti-slip hiking shoes (some sections have gravel)
• Windbreaker + light down jacket (15℃ temperature difference between day and night)
• Thermos + glucose oral solution (to prevent altitude sickness)
Miyaluo’s autumn colors only last for a 30-day golden period (mid-October to early November), missing it means waiting a whole year!