Forests dyed in ink, mountains and rivers like a painting|2025 Complete Guide to Chasing Autumn in Chinese Style
1. Core Autumn Viewing Spots: Unlock the Seasonal Limited Chinese Aesthetic
(1) The Magnificent Autumn of the North
Gubei Water Town in Beijing is an excellent example of Chinese autumn scenery. The ruins of Simatai Great Wall blend with the red leaves covering the mountains, and the gray tiles of mountain courtyards appear faintly among the colorful forests. When climbing the Great Wall, the blue bricks underfoot intertwine with the "red sea" ahead. Lanterns light up at dusk, and the shadows of red leaves fall softly on the bluestone slabs, fully displaying the ancient charm of the "Red Leaf Town at the Foot of the Great Wall." To avoid crowds, take a morning stroll by Worry-free Lake, watch the autumn water reflect the red and yellow intertwined tree crowns, listen to the wind blowing through leaves and flowing water in harmony, and immerse yourself in the "painting-like autumn."
Tianjin Huangyaguan Great Wall highlights autumn with its steepness. Along the 42-kilometer wall, maple and persimmon trees splash golden red colors, and the blue bricks and black tiles of Bagua City surrounded by colorful forests resemble an ancient painting. Taking the cable car for an aerial view, the green of coniferous forests and the red and yellow of broadleaf forests form layers. From the mountain top, you can see the shimmering Cuiping Lake and the autumn scenery of the Yanshan Mountains, fully displaying the grandeur of "one man guarding the pass" and the brilliance of autumn.
(2) The Graceful Autumn of Jiangnan
Tianping Mountain in Suzhou holds the poetic charm of Jiangnan autumn. Over 300 ancient maples, weathered for more than 400 years, turn vividly red in late autumn, forming an ink painting scene with ancient temples, clear springs, and golden ginkgo trees. Wangfeng Terrace is the best viewing spot, where red maples, green bamboo, and blue-tiled flying eaves frame the scene, making every snapshot a "Jiangnan autumn exclusive." Enter the park before 6:30 a.m., and sunlight filters through the branches casting mottled shadows on the bluestone slabs. Wearing a moon-white Hanfu and leaning on the railing, you fully embody the beauty of Chinese-style blank space.
The autumn drying scenes in Huizhou villages are known as a "moving palette." After the autumn equinox, chili peppers and persimmons spread red and yellow blocks on drying racks, contrasting with horse-head walls and black tile eaves. When the morning mist lingers, smoke rises gently, and the colors on the racks appear more vivid in the haze. Paired with the gradually reddening Chinese tallow trees by the village, it fully displays the beauty of agricultural civilization and nature.
(3) The Secret Plateau Autumn
The autumn of Daocheng Yading is like a richly colored oil painting. The meadows of Luorong Pasture turn golden, poplar groves and fiery red shrubs surround the blue Milk Lake, and the snowy peaks of Xianuoduoji Mountain are dotted with white. Hiking from Chonggu Temple to Pearl Lake, the fallen leaves rustle underfoot, and the lake reflects the red leaves and snow-capped mountains, each step a stunning "heaven for the eyes." Staying in Yading Village, you can witness the golden sunlight on the mountains, with morning light casting warmth on the colorful forests, snow mountains, and red leaves.
2. Immersive Experience: Chinese-style Activities and Photography Tips
(1) Themed Activities
- Ancient Architecture Autumn Hunt: The ginkgo avenue in Beijing’s Old Summer Palace is covered with fallen leaves that rustle underfoot, recreating the "autumn of the ancient capital" described by Yu Dafu; the millennium-old ginkgo trees at Xi’an Ancient Guanyin Zen Temple begin to turn golden, with fallen leaves forming a golden carpet, creating a Zen painting with the temple’s red walls.
- Landscape Autumn Appreciation: Kanas’ Fairy Bay is shrouded in morning mist, where the golden birch trees blend with the emerald lake, and smoke curls from the Tuvan wooden houses, like a fairy tale; at Yanqi Lake, take a boat around the island, watch cormorants skim the water, ginkgo forests spread along the shore, distant mountains like ink, and autumn waters misty.
- Folk Autumn Knowledge: The autumn in Taierzhuang Ancient City hides the bustling city life. Take a rowboat on the Ai River, see red lanterns reflected in the water on both banks, stand at the bow in Hanfu, with flowing sleeves rippling with the waves, just like the poetic scene of "a river of fishing lights and ten miles of singing."
(2) Photography and Outfit Guide
Outfits mainly feature the new Chinese style: brown cotton-linen cardigans paired with khaki slip dresses, accessorized with vintage tassel bags and peace buckle necklaces, exuding a cool vibe; or choose moon-white or cyan Hanfu, holding a round fan in front of red walls and ancient maples, with light and shadow filtering through branches onto the sleeves, full of Zen spirit.
Photography spots are cleverly chosen: at Gubei Water Town, select the distant view of Simatai Great Wall, letting the red leaves become the Great Wall’s "natural backdrop"; at Tianping Mountain’s Wangfeng Terrace, shoot from a low angle with blue tiles and flying eaves framing the red leaves; at Kanas’ Fish Viewing Platform at sunset, let the sunset gild the lake and colorful forests.
3. Practical Guide: Avoiding Pitfalls and Trip Planning
(1) Best Time and Transportation
- Northern Region: Mid-October to early November is best. In Beijing, take Metro Line 10 and transfer to the Western Suburb Line to Xiangshan; in Tianjin, Panshan is best reached by car, with colorful forests along the mountain roads.
- Jiangnan Region: Late October to mid-November. In Suzhou, take Metro Line 1 and transfer to Bus 662 to Tianping Mountain; in Huizhou villages, renting a car is recommended for convenient stops and sightseeing.
- Plateau Region: Late September to early October. For Daocheng Yading, fly to Daocheng Airport then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus; for Kanas, self-driving or joining a pure-play tour is recommended to explore less-visited spots.
(2) Pitfalls and Tips
Popular red leaf spots require advance reservations; Xiangshan and Tianping Mountain are best visited on weekdays; the plateau has large temperature differences (0-15°C), so bring down jackets and oxygen tanks, and avoid strenuous exercise; Jiangnan is rainy, so carry umbrellas and non-slip shoes. For accommodation, book 1-2 months in advance in Kanas Tuvan Village and Daocheng Yading Village; in Gubei Water Town, choose waterside homestays to enjoy lantern-lit red leaves at night.
Autumn is brief and poetic. Whether it’s the grandeur of Great Wall red leaves, the grace of Jiangnan ancient maples, or the brilliance of plateau colorful forests, all vividly interpret Chinese aesthetics. Pack your bags, set off with longing for autumn, and let every fallen leaf and ray of autumn light become a romantic Chinese-style footnote on your journey.