Recommended Autumn Viewing Around Xi'an in Late October: Be Sure to Visit Guangwu Mountain

1. Best Viewing Period:
Mid-October to early November is the best time to see the red leaves at Guangwu Mountain.
2. Weather and Clothing:
Clothing advice: Be sure to bring a windbreaker, fleece jacket, light down jacket, long pants, and other warm clothing. Mountain weather is changeable, and rain gear (raincoat preferred over umbrella) is essential.
II. Transportation
From Xi'an to Guangwu Mountain, the following two options are mainly recommended:
Option 1: Self-driving (most recommended, flexible and free)
Route: Xi'an → Hanzhong → Guangwu Mountain
Distance and time: About 380 kilometers in total, with approximately 5-6 hours of driving. Please drive carefully on mountain roads.
Note: Within the scenic area, sightseeing buses are required to transfer between attractions; private cars are not allowed in the core scenic area.
Option 2: High-speed train + local transportation (comfortable and convenient)
Steps:
1. Xi'an North Station → Hanzhong Station: Take the high-speed train, about 1-1.5 hours, with frequent departures, very convenient.
2. Hanzhong → Guangwu Mountain:
Passenger bus: Depart from Hanzhong Passenger Station (Express Bus Station), about 2-3 hours.
Charter/shared car: After exiting the high-speed train station, many private cars head to Guangwu Mountain (price negotiable).
Disadvantage: Moving between attractions within Guangwu Mountain still requires relying on sightseeing buses, which is less flexible than self-driving.
III. Core Scenic Areas & Itinerary Planning
Autumn viewing at Guangwu Mountain is mainly divided into three major scenic areas, each with its own features. It is recommended to allocate 2-3 days.
Day 1: Arrive and visit the Taoyuan Scenic Area (Guangwu Mountain main peak)
Day 2: In-depth visit to the Daba Scenic Area (Micang Mountain National Forest Park) — the core red leaf area
All day: This is the essence of red leaf viewing at Guangwu Mountain, covering a vast area that requires a full day.
Must-see spots: Natural Gallery, Black Bear Valley, Xianglu Mountain
Suggested visiting order: Take the sightseeing bus directly to the innermost Xianglu Mountain, then visit Black Bear Valley and Natural Gallery in sequence.
Day 3: Shibayue Pool or return trip
V. Practical Tips
1. Buy tickets in advance: Be sure to purchase entrance and sightseeing bus tickets in advance through official WeChat accounts like "Guangwu Mountain Tourism" or online travel platforms to avoid long queues on-site.
2. Get up early! Get up early! Get up early! ** Important things said three times. Entering the scenic area early helps avoid crowds and allows you to capture the most beautiful morning light.
3. Photography gear: Use a wide-angle lens for large scenes and a telephoto lens for close-up shots. A tripod and polarizing filter (to reduce glare and make red leaves more saturated) are very useful.
Shibayue Pool is not at its best in October; November is better, so it can be skipped.
Wishing you an unforgettable golden autumn trip at Guangwu Mountain, returning full of beautiful red leaf scenery!