A Paradise for Hiking Enthusiasts | Trekking Through the Highlights of Guangwu Mountain

Guangwu Mountain is famous for its spectacular autumn colors, especially its red leaves, earning it the title "China's Number One Red Leaf Mountain." This concise travel guide should help you better plan your trip.

🍁 Complete Guangwu Mountain Travel Guide

📍 Basic Information

Guangwu Mountain is located in Nanjiang County, Bazhong City, Sichuan Province, and consists of three core scenic areas: Guangwu Mountain Tourist Area (Taoyuan Scenic Area), known for hiking and karst peak clusters; Micang Mountain Tourist Area (Daba Scenic Area), the most concentrated red leaf area; and Shibayue Tan Scenic Area, famous for its pools and waterfalls. Tickets must be purchased separately for each area.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

· Best Season: Autumn is the most renowned season for Guangwu Mountain.
· Red Leaf Viewing Period: Mid-October to early November is the best time to see the red leaves. Mid to late October offers a colorful spectacle, while early November showcases a magnificent red carpet of foliage.

🗺️ Key Points for Each Scenic Area

1. Guangwu Mountain Tourist Area (Taoyuan Scenic Area)

· Features: Karst peak clusters, hiking challenges, sea of clouds views.
· Main Attractions: Swallow Ridge, Flying Swallow in the Sky, Wanhu Pilgrimage, Feiyun Plank Road.
· Tips: The area involves many uphill hiking sections requiring good physical fitness. You can take the Swallow Ridge cable car to save energy and enjoy the autumn scenery from above.

2. Micang Mountain Tourist Area (Daba Scenic Area)

· Features: Core red leaf area with concentrated attractions, known as "Asia’s Longest Natural Red Carpet."
· Main Attractions:
· Natural Gallery: A colorful forest corridor resembling an oil painting.
· Black Bear Valley: Streams intertwined with red leaves, perfect for photography.
· Xianglu Mountain: Cable car available to the summit for panoramic views of the sea of clouds and endless autumn colors.
· Tips: Combine sightseeing buses and cable cars for touring; it’s recommended to allocate a full day to fully experience this area.

3. Shibayue Tan Scenic Area

· Features: Combination of pools and waterfalls, water flows blending with red leaves, easy hiking.
· Main Attractions: Wedding Dress Waterfall, Five-Color Pool, and 18 other pools and waterfalls.
· Tips: The trails mostly descend, making walking easier and suitable for visitors of all ages.

💎 Practical Tips

· Transportation: You can take high-speed trains to Hanzhong or Bazhong, then transfer to buses or drive to the scenic areas. Self-driving visitors should note there is some distance between the scenic spots.
· Itinerary Planning: If time is limited, prioritize visiting Micang Mountain Tourist Area, the essence of Guangwu Mountain’s autumn scenery.
· Autumn Tips: The Red Leaf Festival attracts many visitors; it’s advisable to book accommodations in advance and check the latest information about the scenic areas.

We hope this guide helps you fully appreciate the beauty of Guangwu Mountain. Have a wonderful trip!