The perfect self-driving autumn viewing route—miss this month, wait another year

Luya Mountain Untouched Hiking Self-Driving Autumn Viewing Guide｜Exclusive Autumn Secret Realm🍂

1. Core Self-Driving Route (Easy Autumn Viewing Without Hiking)

🔴 Route Plan (About 3.5 hours from Taiyuan)

Taiyuan → Erguang Expressway → Wubao Expressway → Dongzhai Town (Luya Mountain core transfer point) → Malun Grassland Scenic Route → Lover’s Valley Outer Trail → Fen River Source → Return

📍 Must-Stop Autumn Viewing Spots

1. Along the Malun Grassland Entrance: No hiking needed, you can enjoy vast golden grasslands intertwined with dark green pine forests along the drive, stop anytime for photos, and savor the autumn wilderness alone.

2. Lover’s Valley Outer Road: Avoid hiking sections; on both sides of the road, the river valley is ablaze with colorful trees, the stream babbles, and with distant mountains, every snapshot captures a healing autumn scene.

3. Around the Fen River Source: The Fen River source is abundant with water in autumn, trees on the banks don orange-red attire, contrasting beautifully with the clear river water. Few people and peaceful scenery make for excellent shots.

2. Practical Tips (Avoid Pitfalls + Comfortable Experience)

💰 Cost Reference

• Tickets: Malun Grassland, Fen River Source, and other spots charge separately; combo tickets are more cost-effective (about 100 RMB/person). If just driving for sightseeing, you can skip the paid core areas; the outer road views are equally stunning.

• Others: Parking in Dongzhai Town is free; dining costs about 30-50 RMB per person; prices are budget-friendly.

🚗 Self-Driving Tips

• Vehicle Choice: SUV recommended; some sections are mountain roads with good conditions but many curves, so new drivers should be cautious.

• Best Time: Mid-October to early November is peak autumn scenery; daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM offers the best light for photos.

• Supplies: Mountain temperatures vary greatly in autumn; bring a thick jacket and scarf; carry enough drinking water and snacks as supply points are scarce; wear non-slip sports shoes for easy short hikes during stops.

🐑 Interaction and Photography Tips

• Animal Interaction: You’ll encounter free-range cattle, horses, and sheep along the way; keep a safe distance when photographing and do not feed them human food.

• Photo Suggestions: Wear warm colors like caramel or white to match the autumn scenery; use low-angle shots to highlight the layers of grass and sky; use pine trees as foreground to enrich the composition.

❌ Pitfall Warnings

• Avoid the National Day peak; after that, there are very few tourists, so no worries about crowds, but check the weather in advance and avoid rainy days.

• Some navigation locations are not very accurate; it’s recommended to download offline maps before departure or ask local residents in Dongzhai Town.

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