2020 China Maple Leaf Report & Forecast! Not Inferior to Kyoto, Japan – Miss It and Wait for Next Year

If I were to rank the four seasons, autumn would undoubtedly be first in my heart.

Among the foothills, the autumn breeze gently caresses the forests and streams; each autumn rain and morning dew gradually paints the mountains in vibrant colors, like children's free-spirited graffiti.

The ginkgo trees shine brilliantly yellow, the maple leaves glow resplendently red... Nature's palette switches to high saturation mode, using its most beautiful appearance in this fleeting season to leave a landscape that the world will cherish for an entire year.

The most famous is Guanshan Forest Park. With a full view of slightly varied shades of yellow, orange, and red, bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight, everything turns into a warm color palette, layer upon layer.

The most spectacular is the over 200-year-old 'Maple King,' which looks like a majestic and dignified canopy pavilion, sitting there like an elder—truly a rare sight.

Don't think Benxi sounds obscure. In fact, it holds the title of 'Hometown of Chinese Maple Leaves,' so famous that CCTV has broadcast live coverage of Benxi's maple leaves during National Day for many consecutive years!

In Benxi, the best way to enjoy maple leaves is by self-driving. It not only has the Benhuan Highway, renowned as the 'China Maple Leaf Road,' but also the 'Most Beautiful Autumn Fairy Tale Highway'—the Tongdan Expressway—which gathers all the autumn elements of Northeast China.

Level III indicates entering the best viewing period (Source: WeChat official account - Benxi Maple Red Index Release Platform).

Every year, the Benxi Maple Red Index Release Platform even provides real-time reports on maple conditions across the region, preventing visitors from making a wasted trip! This year, the maple leaves turned red a bit later than usual, but they officially entered the best viewing period on October 10th. These days, they have almost entered the leaf-falling stage!

P.S. In this year's National Day film 'My People, My Homeland', the shooting locations for the 'Magical Brush' segment starring Shen Teng and Ma Li are in Benxi's Qingshiling Village, Xiangmo Village, and Songshutai Village.

Address: Benxi, Liaoning

2020 Best Viewing Period: October 10 to late October

Best Viewing Period: Mid-October to mid-November

Every year from mid-October to mid-November is the maple viewing season at Xiangshan Park, a precious period of only one month! That means it has now entered the best time!

Xiangshan Park is actually very large, with attractions scattered loosely. The best spots for viewing red leaves are: Xianglu Peak, Qingweile, Senyuhu, Geyunzhong, and Liuqiting.

Friendly reminder: You can search for 'Xiangshan Park Service Account' on WeChat to make a real-name reservation and purchase tickets in advance, so you don't have to worry about not being able to get a ticket on the day!

If you're worried about too many people, the Beijing Botanical Garden at the foot of Xiangshan and the Olympic Forest Park are also great places to enjoy red leaves.

For locals, a niche maple-viewing spot that has risen in the capital in recent years is Pofengling, rated by National Geographic as the most spectacular mountain red leaf area in North China. However, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the city center.

Xiangshan Address: No. 40 Maimai Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Best Viewing Time: Mid-October to mid-November

Exquisite Autumn Colors Hidden in Seclusion

Best Viewing Time: Late October to mid-November

Tuchong Tan Jia-

Songpinggou is like a hidden gem in western Sichuan, beautiful and unknown, tucked away in seclusion.

It is known as the 'Three Gullies, Nine Lakes, and Fourteen Scenic Spots.' Shangbaila Sea, Xiabaila Sea, Zhenzhu Waterfall, Baishi Sea, Mo Sea, Wucai Pond... Each place seems to be a landscape you could never tire of.

Tuchong ZZgem

Here, there is a rather romantic way to enjoy red leaves: lying in a yacht on Baishi Sea, admiring the red leaves on the shore.

At this moment, you are close to the mountains, close to the water, and close to the colorful autumn scenery. It is more beautiful than poetry, more ethereal than paintings, just like the scene depicted in the phrase 'Autumn leaves embrace the peaks, emerald waters merge with the vast sky.'

These days, the red leaves in Songpinggou have started to turn red, and it will be about the best viewing period until mid-November.

Address: Mao County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture

Transportation: Chengdu—Wenchuan—Mao County—Songpinggou

Best Viewing Time: Late October to mid-November

Best Viewing Time: Late October to early November

Photo by @superbug

Whenever maple viewing is mentioned, we always think of Kyoto, Japan. But in fact, the largest red leaf viewing area in Asia is not Kyoto; it is hidden in Sichuan, China!

You might think of colorful Jiuzhaigou, Bipenggou, Xinduqiao, or Mount Emei in Leshan, Dongla Mountain in Ya'an, but you may not know it's Guangwu Mountain in Nanjiang County.

It is the longest natural red carpet in Asia, with 680 square kilometers of red leaf forest, yet it remains hidden, quietly spreading its charm in Bashu.

It is the most anticipated 'red leaf contractor' in eastern Sichuan. Its status in the red leaf world can be simply summed up as 'Red Leaves Unrivaled Under Heaven.'

It is the 'Jiuzhaigou of Northeast Sichuan,' possessing the strange rocks and steep peaks of Huangshan and the spectacular mountains and waters of Guilin. The maple leaves covering the mountains are Bazhong's secret not to be told.

Heading straight for the 'Red Leaf Carpet' dam is the most recommended itinerary. The Natural Gallery, Daxiao Lan Gully, and Heixiong Gully are all great places to appreciate red leaves.

The colorful maple leaves covering the mountains and fields exude a beauty of combined strength and gentleness. Breathing the fresh air brought by the world's most spectacular red leaf scenery is also intoxicating. If it rains, the crystal-clear drops trembling on the trees are equally breathtaking!

Every year, Guangwu Mountain also hosts a month-long 'Red Leaf Festival.' This year, it officially opened on October 18th, and has now entered the best viewing period. The entire event will last until late December.

Address: Guangwushan Town, Nanjiang County, Bazhong City, Sichuan Province

Best Viewing Time: Late October to early November

Wait until late autumn to visit southern cities

See the tenderness and Zen beneath the red maples

Best Viewing Time: Late November to early December

Aerial view of Yuelu Mountain autumn scenery. If Mao Zedong is the spokesperson for Hunan, then Yuelu Mountain is the spokesperson for Changsha.

This cultural mountain with excellent scenery all year round, besides having Aiwan Pavilion and Yuelu Academy, also offers a great choice to climb to the top to overlook Orange Islet and enjoy Changsha's night view.

Shetu.com And every autumn is the most beautiful season for Yuelu Mountain. Enjoying the view in the pavilion or climbing high for a distant view has become the autumn romance for Changsha people.