Within 2 hours from Zhengzhou, 6 free off-the-beaten-path autumn viewing spots, highly recommended

🍂 October in Central China is full of autumn vibes~ The cool breeze brushes by, reddening the mountains and yellowing the leaves🌲 As a blogger who has been deeply involved in Henan tourism for many years, I have compiled 6 stunning self-driving routes, all within 2 hours of driving. Let’s set off this autumn together!

1.✨🍁 Fuxi Mountain winding road
📍Route: Zhengzhou → Shipokou → Shenxian Cave
⏱️Driving time: 1-1.5 hours
🌟Highlights: The closest autumn viewing spot to the city! Along the way, there are grand canyons, red stone forests, and Xiaoma Highlands, plus you can check in at the Cloud Pasture~ The layers of yellow smoke tree, red maple, and five-point maple blend like a spilled palette 🎨

2.📸🍂 Gongyi Nanshan Tourism Passage
📍Route: Zhengzhou → Gongyi Linggou Health Center → Nanshan Tourism Passage → Xiaoguan Town
⏱️Driving time: 1 hour
🌟Highlights: Few people and beautiful scenery, no commercial noise! The mountains and countryside intertwine like an oil painting, perfect for bringing a picnic mat and slowly enjoying.

3. Gongyi Changshou Mountain: Central China’s “Red Leaf Kingdom”
📍Navigation: Changshou Mountain, Gongyi City
⏱️Driving time: 1 hour
🌟Highlights: Known as the “Northern Three Gorges, Henan Jiuzhaigou,” the red leaves are the same species as those in Xiangshan! The most stunning from late October to mid-November, also visit cultural sites like Wangjiutai and Bijia Mountain.

4.🏞️ Songshan Route: A thousand-year dialogue between red leaves and ancient temples
📍Route: Zhengzhou → Songshan → Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy
⏱️Driving time: 1 hour
🌟Highlights: Enjoy both red leaves and culture! The ginkgo trees at Shaolin Temple turn golden, and at sunset, the ancient temple and autumn leaves frame together— a must for photography enthusiasts.

5.📿🏞️ Huixian South Taihang: A visual feast on the cliff-hanging road
📍Route: Zhengzhou → Wanxianshan → Guoliang Village
⏱️Driving time: 2 hours
🌟Highlights: Few people and exquisite scenery, the cliff-hanging road winds along the edge of the cliff, dressing the Taihang Mountains in autumn colors! The best light for photos is early morning and evening.

6.🌄💦 Qingtian River: The “Red Leaf Kingdom” landscape painting
📍Navigation: Qingtian River Scenic Area, Jiaozuo City
⏱️Driving time: 2 hours
🌟Highlights: The hills are interwoven with yellow smoke tree, red, and gold, and you can take a boat to tour the gorge! Mountains and water complement each other.