Yixian County’s Autumn Glory! These 5 Sun-Drying Spots + 3 Ways to Play Will Fill Your Social Media Grid

Dear friends, the autumn in southern Anhui has finally come alive! From late September to mid-November, Yixian County transforms completely into a "spilled palette," with golden rice fields, bright red Chinese tallow trees, black-tiled white walls, and bamboo racks for sun-drying creating a stunning masterpiece. Miss it now, and you’ll have to wait a whole year!

🌾 5 Top Sun-Drying Spots That Look Breathtaking Even on Your Phone!

1. Hongcun · Harvest in an Ink Painting

- Must-shoot spot: The rice fields under Dongshan Mountain and Yue Zhao Lake! White walls and black tiles reflect in the golden waves of rice; at dusk, villagers carrying farming tools create silhouettes that look like scenes from the show "The Life You Long For." By Yue Zhao Lake, bamboo racks hold red chili peppers and yellow corn, with mottled horse-head walls as the backdrop—pure ancient-style cinematic beauty.

- Hidden tip: Rent a Hanfu and take reflection photos by the rice fields. Don’t forget an oil-paper umbrella to instantly transform into a Huizhou young lady!

2. Xidi · The Lively Ancient Alley

- Must-shoot spot: The waterwheel rice fields by the back creek + the sun-drying area at Jing’ai Hall! The creek water flows gently around golden rice ears, a breeze rustles the leaves, and the air is filled with the scent of rice. Bamboo racks in front of Jing’ai Hall hold pumpkins and sweet potatoes, while elders sit on the doorstep peeling corn—capturing these life moments is heartwarming.

- Cultural bonus: From Tuesday to Sunday, enjoy Xidi’s wedding custom performances and Huiju opera close-ups. Wear Hanfu to experience riding in a bridal sedan chair and listen to intangible cultural heritage singing—your social media will instantly be full of “cultured” vibes!

3. Tachuan · One of China’s Four Great Autumn Views

- Must-shoot spot: Chinese tallow red leaves alongside sun-drying scenes! Early to mid-November is the best viewing period. Layers of red, yellow, and green leaves overlap, and the chili peppers and corn on bamboo racks in the fields complement the red leaves beautifully. When morning mist covers the village, it looks like a fairyland.

- Photography tips: Shoot panoramic views from the village entrance viewing platform, use a telephoto lens to capture sun-drying details on eaves, and try drone shots for a god’s-eye view of the red leaf terraces and ancient village.

4. Nanping · A Pastoral Poem in a Film Village

- Must-shoot spot: 36 ancient wells and 72 ancient alleys! Stroll along the bluestone paths with golden rice fields on both sides, sunlight filtering through horse-head walls onto the stones—every shot looks cinematic. The sun-drying scene in front of the ancient ancestral halls is even more spectacular, with eight majestic halls as the backdrop, perfect for shooting “Huizhou Stories” style films.

- Family bonus: Bring kids to try bamboo weaving. Experienced craftsmen teach how to weave bamboo baskets on-site, and you can take the finished product home as a souvenir!

5. Lucun · Autumn’s Private Treasure Under the Chinese Tallow Tree

- Must-shoot spot: Lucun’s wood-carved buildings + Chinese tallow trees in the fields! Morning mist drifts over golden rice fields, and the huge Chinese tallow tree glows bright red, blending with white walls and black tiles into an ink painting. The carved window lattices of the wood buildings cast golden shadows at sunset—wearing a qipao to shoot silhouettes here is full of charm.

- Hidden tip: At the village entrance, relax at Woxi Valley Coffee. Sit by the floor-to-ceiling window with a cup of osmanthus latte, watching rice fields and red leaves outside—a perfect depiction of “slow life.”

🎨 3 Ways to Unlock Autumn Romance!

1. Immersive Cultural Journey

- Intangible heritage experiences: Xidi’s intangible heritage bench dragon parade (every Saturday at 7:30 PM), Hongcun’s Huiju opera performances (Tuesday to Sunday). Bring kids to see fire breathing and spear performances up close, and even make fish lanterns by hand.

- Red leaf photography: Join Tachuan’s photography contest, where professional photographers guide you to capture “China’s Most Beautiful Autumn” with your phone. Winning works are exhibited in the scenic area!

2. Food Healing Journey

- Must-try list:

- Kecun’s Eight Big Bowls: Huangshan black chicken soup, mountain-raised black pork braised meat, spring-jumping grouper fish—only about 60 RMB per person, so filling you’ll be leaning on the wall!

- Street snacks: Osmanthus sugar rice cakes by Bishan Bookstore, Mao tofu at Hongcun’s Yue Zhao Lake, 10 RMB a serving, finger-licking good.

- Health set meals: “Five Blacks Diet” by Qishu Lake—black rice porridge, black bean tea, black chicken soup—nourishing and beautifying.

3. Self-Drive Leisure Tour

- Recommended route: Yixian County town → Hongcun → Tachuan → Lucun → Kecun, about 80 km total, seamlessly switching between rice fields, red leaves, and ancient villages.

- Surprise bonus: Encounter the “Black Chicken Food Festival” in Kecun town, where you can try catching black chickens and digging sweet potatoes, and take fresh “Five Blacks” agricultural products home.

📝 A Babysitter-Level Guide, Take It Without Thanks!

Best Time

- September 25 to November 10: Golden rice waves + gradually reddening leaves; early November is Tachuan’s peak beauty.

- Off-peak advice: Avoid the October 1-3 crowd peak; traveling from October 4-7 is more relaxed.

Transportation Guide

- Plane: Direct flight to Huangshan Tunxi Airport, then a 1-hour taxi to Yixian (about 150 RMB).

- High-speed rail: Take the high-speed train from Huangshan North Station to Yixian East Station (20 minutes), then take the tourist bus line to Hongcun (8 RMB/40 minutes).

- Self-drive: From Hangzhou, take the Hangrui Expressway, 4 hours direct, with a chance to visit Huangshan along the way.

Ticket Information

- State-owned scenic spots: Hongcun 104 RMB, Xidi 104 RMB, Tachuan 40 RMB; booking early on Trip.com saves 5-10 RMB.

- Discounts: Residents of the Four Cities Alliance Garden, short video association members, and overseas tourists enjoy half price; students get 50% off with ID.

Accommodation Recommendations

- High-end experience: Hongcun Kairiyasen Hotel (smart facilities + forest view rooms, about 500 RMB per person).

- Cost-effective choice: Xidi All Seasons Hotel (5-minute walk to the scenic area, about 200 RMB per person).

- Characteristic homestay: Lucun’s “Zhuxili” homestay (open the window to rice fields, 80 RMB/night including breakfast).

Notes

- Clothing: Onion-style layering! Sweatshirt + light jacket during the day, down jacket in the morning and evening; forest areas have temperature differences over 15°C.

- Mosquito protection: Bring DEET insect repellent; small biting insects are fierce!

- Pitfall warning: Mountain delicacy banquets in scenic areas can be risky; “Liu’s Wild Fish Village” in town is more reliable, about 60 RMB per person to eat your fill.

Friends, quickly save this guide! This autumn, don’t just envy Wuyuan’s sun-drying scenes—Yixian will make your social media legendary! Remember to book tickets and homestays early on Trip.com. Let’s go together for National Day!