Hanzhong Longtoushan Autumn Viewing Guide: National Geographic didn't lie! This is the autumn wonderland secretly cherished by people from Sichuan and Chongqing.

In the past, whenever autumn arrived and I wanted to see vast colorful forests, my first thought was always Western Sichuan. It wasn't until I stumbled upon Hanzhong Longtoushan that I discovered such an "oil painting forest" hidden at the border of Sichuan and Shaanxi – the key is that it's uncrowded, incredibly scenic, and allows for a "lie-flat" style of autumn viewing, perfectly appealing to a lazy person like me who wants to have fun but fears getting tired!

Longtoushan, along with the famous Guangwushan, belongs to the Micang Mountain range. It is nestled within the 3500-year-old Micang Ancient Road, boasting both the splendor of autumn and a touch of historical depth. What surprised me most was the transportation; it's only a little over 2 hours by high-speed train from Chengdu, making a round trip in a single day feasible. It's definitely a treasure for day trips and weekend getaways for people from Sichuan and Chongqing.

On the mountain, over 2200 meters above sea level, you can experience colorful forests, cloud seas, and skywalks all at once. What's even better is that you don't need to "hike extensively" – a cable car plus a 180-meter-long cloud ladder takes you directly to the mountaintop. You barely need to climb any stairs throughout the entire journey, making it easy for seniors and children to enjoy. It's no exaggeration to call it the "ultimate lazy person's mountain climbing experience"!

Must-See Autumn Highlights

- Oil Painting-like Colorful Forests: Mid-October to early November is the best time. The mountains are covered in layers of red, yellow, and orange leaves, like a spilled palette. We recommend hiking down from the "Oil Painting Forest" station. With sunlight filtering through the branches onto the stone steps, you can capture atmospheric photos every few steps, guaranteeing stunning shots.
- Randomly Appearing Cloud Seas: When we visited, it was raining at the foot of the mountain, but by the time we reached the summit, the rain had just cleared. The entire cloud sea enveloped the peaks and drifted towards us. Standing on the skywalk felt like walking on clouds, an "entering a fairyland" sensation that a phone camera can't capture even a tenth of its beauty.
- Thrilling and Photogenic Skywalk: The 3.5-kilometer-long Longtouyun Skywalk is built along the cliff edge, with layers of colorful forests below and blue skies and cloud seas above. If you're lucky, you might even catch a sunset in the evening, with orange-red light spilling over the cloud sea, creating wallpaper-worthy scenes with every casual shot.

Super Practical Travel Tips

1. Outfit Advice: The temperature difference on the mountain can exceed 10℃. Even if you wear a sweatshirt at the base, you'll need a down jacket or a windbreaker at the summit. Remember to bring a hat, scarf, and gloves to keep the cold wind from spoiling your mood.
2. Avoid Pitfalls:
- Pets are not allowed in the scenic area, so don't make a wasted trip.
- The cable car stops operating at 6 PM, so be sure to plan your descent time carefully to avoid missing the last ride.
- If you want to chase the cloud sea, check the weather in advance. The chances are highest on clear mornings or afternoons right after rain.
3. Accommodation Tip: If you want to photograph the sunrise and sunset, we recommend staying at a guesthouse on the mountaintop. This way, you don't have to rush for the early cable car and can enjoy the uncrowded cloud seas and colorful forests in the morning, doubling your experience.

Transportation Guide

- Self-driving: Navigate directly to "Longtoushan International Tourist Resort." There's ample parking, making it suitable for family trips.
- Public Transportation: Take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Hanzhong Station (approx. 2.5 hours). From the station, transfer to the scenic area's direct shuttle bus, which departs at 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM daily. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the scenic area, and there are fixed return schedules, so you don't have to worry about finding a taxi.

I sincerely recommend that friends who haven't been there yet go now while the autumn colors are at their peak. You won't have to squeeze into Western Sichuan or tire your legs out, and you'll get to see the stunning scenery of colorful forests and cloud seas together. You'll definitely want to recommend it to everyone, just like I do!