Shennongjia Autumn Family Travel Guide: 5 Days and 4 Nights Roaming the Secret Realm of Colorful Forests

Hi~ I’m Coco’s Mom! October in Shennongjia is the most vivid autumn gallery in Central China—the mountains with an altitude difference of 2000 meters wear a “camouflage suit” woven with red, yellow, and green. Golden snub-nosed monkeys leap among the colorful forests, and seas of clouds surge beneath your feet. This 5-day, 4-night guide makes it easy to travel with kids, with daily drives ≤ 2 hours and hikes ≤ 8,000 steps!

🚗 Itinerary: Enter the mountains from Yichang/Xiangyang, circular tour

Day 1: Yichang → Muyuzhen (3-hour drive)

• In the afternoon, visit Guanmenshan Ecological Museum to see the giant panda “Olympic” nibbling bamboo shoots and the spectacular cliffside with thousands of beehives at Honeybee Cliff.

• Overnight at Kangdi Junlan Hotel, with mountain views from the balcony and dinner featuring cold-water fish hotpot.

Day 2: Shennong Altar + Tianshengqiao Light Hike

• Morning at Shennong Altar to honor the ancestor of Chinese civilization, kids count the “Five-colored Stones” on 324 steps to recognize solar terms; see the millennium-old cedar king with prayer ribbons.

• Afternoon walk the waterfall plank road at Tianshengqiao, rainbows often appear at the Water Curtain Cave entrance, and enjoy interactive Tujia folk song and dance performances with a ball-catching game.

Day 3: Shennongding Core Area (car tour + short trail)

• At Xiaolongtan, watch golden snub-nosed monkey families grooming, kids can feed them special corn kernels (10 RMB/bag).

• Hike 1 km at Banbiyen to see the stone forest resembling a “peacock spreading its tail” and hear wild man legends.

• Climb the lookout tower to overlook the junction of three provinces; after 4 PM, the chance of sea of clouds reaches 70%.

Day 4: Dajiuhu Morning Mist + Deer Park

• Early morning take the scenic train around the park; 9 lakes scattered like pearls, kids crouch to photograph swan reflections.

• Feed sika deer at the Deer Park (corn kernels 5 RMB/cup), wear Hanfu to take “Nara-style” parent-child photos.

Day 5: Tianyan Scenic Area Rainbow Bridge → Return

• Walk Asia’s highest scenic bridge, occasionally encountering a sea of clouds like a river of milk; on the way back, stop at Songbai Town to buy dried shiitake mushrooms.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Tips

Layered clothing: Large altitude difference, prepare kids with windbreakers + thin down jackets (0°C at the summit), sunscreen hats are a must.

Altitude sickness prevention: Shennongding is 3100 meters high, bring chocolate + warm water, descend immediately if kids feel dizzy.

Fun interaction: Rubbings of plant specimens at Guanmenshan, collect stamps at Dajiuhu to exchange for a “Junior Forest Ranger” badge.

🌟 Hidden Activities

• Night star gazing: On clear nights, join a stargazing class in Pingqian Ancient Town and use telescopes to find the Big Dipper.

• Intangible cultural heritage experience: Learn to play the grass-stripping drum in Muyuzhen, kids can beat small gongs and dress as little Tujia artists.

Autumn in Shennongjia is a duet of clouds and forests. See you in the next Wudang Mountain guide! 🍂