Must-Visit in September: Mangshan!

Celebrate the Double Festival at Mangshan! Stay at Yunyin Mountain Residence and enjoy both the autumn fairyland and the Mid-Autumn moonlight 🌕

Hey friends! With an 8-day holiday for National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, skip the crowded popular cities! Autumn in Mangshan, Hunan, is already glowing with beauty, and the "Yunyin Mountain Residence" I stayed at is literally nestled in the scenery. Here's my personally tested treasure guide—save it now!

🏡 First, let me rave about my heavenly homestay: Yunyin Mountain Residence

This mountain homestay is truly healing! It's just a 10-minute drive from the Mangshan Visitor Center. The moment you turn into the bamboo-lined path, all your worries vanish—

✅ A painting outside your window: I booked a mountain-view room, and opening the balcony door reveals layers of green mountains. Waking up to birdsong and seeing mist drifting through the mountains feels like living in the clouds.
✅ Full Mid-Autumn vibes: The owner hung red lanterns and set up small tables in advance. On Mid-Autumn night, we ate mooncakes and sipped hot tea in the courtyard, with a full moon overhead—way more romantic than city fireworks!
✅ Thoughtful details: The breakfast made by the owner's mom is amazing! Freshly cooked multigrain porridge, golden fried farm eggs, and homemade pickled beans—10 times better than the food at tourist restaurants. Plus, they lend you warm coats if it gets chilly at night—so much cozier than a hotel!

🍂 Must-Visit in October: Don't Miss Mangshan's Autumn Exclusive Scenery

The double festival is the perfect time to visit Mangshan! Avoid the summer heat and catch the first wave of autumn colors—everywhere looks like a scene from a filtered photo.

1. Wuzhifeng Scenic Area (A Must-Visit!)
The star attraction of Mangshan! Taking the cable car up, you'll see the green mountains gradually turning golden and orange, like a spilled palette.
Don't miss the "Suspended Glass Walkway"! Standing on it, there's a deep valley below and mountain peaks resembling five fingers ahead. The slight swaying in the wind is thrilling and makes for great photos!
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, you can catch the "Sunset and Moonrise"—around 6 PM, the sunset dyes the peaks orange, and as the moon rises, you get both views in one frame. Your phone storage will be in danger!

2. Monkey King Village
Just a 20-minute walk (or a 5-minute drive) from the homestay. The path is lined with streams and waterfalls. The water isn't too cold in October, so you can step on stones and play in the water.
The air is filled with the scent of grass and trees. Wear light-colored dresses for photos—standing in front of the waterfall, even lightly edited shots look like a forest-themed masterpiece!

3. Tiantai Mountain
Perfect for sunrise lovers! Start from the homestay at 5 AM, and you'll reach the summit just in time for the morning light. The sea of clouds enveloping the peaks is more breathtaking than a fairyland (remember to wear a jacket—it’s about 10°C in the morning!).

🥘 Mangshan Food Guide: Only Eat the Best Local Flavors

Avoid random restaurants in the scenic area! Here are some affordable and authentic spots recommended by the owner:

• Mangshan Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoots: A must-try! The local smoked pork is savory but not greasy, and the bamboo shoots are freshly dug from the mountains—crispy and flavorful. I had two bowls of rice with it!

• Fern Root Noodles: Sour and spicy, perfect for cutting through the richness and whetting your appetite. Street stalls sell it for just 5 yuan a bowl—great for a quick snack when you're tired from walking.

• Homestay Farm Dishes: Highly recommend having dinner at the homestay! The owner asks in advance what you'd like to eat. The freshly slaughtered farm chicken stewed with mushrooms and stir-fried pumpkin leaves taste just like home cooking. Only 50 yuan per person for a feast!

📸 Photo Tips: Guaranteed 100% Instagram-Worthy Shots

1. Outfits: Light-colored clothes (white, beige, light yellow) go perfectly with the autumn mountain scenery. Or wear Hanfu/traditional Chinese-style outfits for a classic vibe—especially on the glass walkway or in front of Monkey King Village's waterfall.

2. Angles:

◦ On the Wuzhifeng cable car (capture the autumn colors and a full view of the cable car).
◦ At the end of the glass walkway (frame yourself with Wuzhifeng using a wide-angle lens).
◦ In Yunyin Mountain Residence's courtyard (shoot lanterns and the moon on Mid-Autumn night using night mode).

3. Props: Bring a small fan, straw hat, or borrow a lantern from the homestay owner for added atmosphere in your photos.

❗ Double Festival Travel Tips

1. Book tickets in advance! For Wuzhifeng tickets and cable car rides, it's best to book a day ahead on platforms like Meituan. The on-site lines are super long. Students, bring your student ID for discounts—save a few bucks!

2. Wear comfortable shoes! There's a lot of walking in the scenic area, and sneakers are a thousand times better than heels.

3. Bring a jacket and a light sweater! The temperature difference in Mangshan in October is significant—short sleeves are fine at noon, but you'll need a jacket in the evening. Stay warm and avoid catching a cold!

Friends, visiting Mangshan during the double festival is absolutely worth it—autumn's colorful forests, a healing homestay, and a full Mid-Autumn moon right above you. This kind of slow-paced joy is so much better than squeezing into crowded tourist spots.

Where are you planning to go for National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival? Let’s chat in the comments!

Yunyin Mountain Residence (Mangshan Grand Canyon Rafting Scenic Area Branch)