2-Day Autumn Photography Trip in Southern Anhui: Encountering 'Water Kanas' and 'Little Thousand Island Lake' along the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway
In a season where a falling leaf heralds autumn, you must set foot in the mountains to experience the layered forests dyed in color, the hillsides ablaze with red, or the dazzling natural beauty. The sense of layers, lines, and visuals is beyond words. Among Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui, the most outstanding autumn charm, colors, and ambiance are nowhere else but in the ancient Huizhou region and the Southern Anhui area. The 'Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway' has frequently caught my attention in recent years—a truly magical and distinctive name.
Long trapped in the city, I hardly know what frost and fog are; the 'ten-sided haze' makes one feel a bit down and even 'restless.' Since it’s long been renowned, why not just go on a spontaneous trip? Escape the city, let your mood and thoughts gallop on the winding mountain roads...
Withered vines, old trees, evening crows, sunset in the west...
Every tree is tinged with autumn color, every mountain bathed in sunset glow...
After the fresh rain in the empty mountain, the weather turns late autumn...
These poems might suddenly come to mind when you stop at Chujia Beach in Ningguo and gaze at the ink-wash-like dwellings across the shore—such poetic charm, such lingering autumn feel.
The autumn wind is bleak, the ripples shimmer. The realm of Southern Anhui autumn must be adorned with Huizhou-style architecture. This is the most soothing symbol of harmony between humans and nature. Long confined in a cage, I return to nature. It brings a peaceful and pleasing mood. The autumn colors at Chujia Beach and the autumn feel of 'Little Guilin' are perhaps just like this scene.
In the golden autumn season, drive freely along the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway to enjoy the hidden scenic wonders. The 'Water Kanas' bald cypress with fiery red leaves, the 'Pearl of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway' Chujia Beach, an ink-wash paradise, and the 'Little Thousand Island Lake in Southern Anhui' Qinglong Bay with shimmering waves and connected islets—three of the most characteristic and representative water landscapes of the season, not one to be missed.
The Southern Anhui region is rich in mountains and waters, abundant in products, with simple folk customs and hidden scenic spots, making it an increasingly popular destination for self-driving tours. Indeed, on the same meridian as Hangzhou's Thousand Island Lake, 'Ningguo Qinglong Bay' feels very similar. From an aerial view, aren't the hundred islands and islets under the setting sun just like Thousand Island Lake? Tourists from Hangzhou, when sailing on a cruise, will certainly feel the same.
The Bald Cypress Wetland Park, which shares the same waters as Qinglong Bay, is the shining 'star' of Southern Anhui autumn. Not only because of its fame from the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the mysterious Jiangnan Sky Road, but also because it holds its own against the top autumn destinations in China, such as Yixian County in Huangshan and 'Tachuan Autumn Colors.' It is now praised by the photography community as 'Water Kanas.'
This tree with feather-like leaves, fiery red in golden autumn, growing in water, becomes the most beautiful scenery of the season. Stop only admiring flowers in autumn and playing with snow in winter. The bald cypress in Southern Anhui autumn, with fiery red leaves and golden feathers fluttering in the wind, is even more charming from an aerial perspective—green peaks stacked, blue waves like ribbons. This vast forest of over 2,000 mu becomes the most stunning natural wonder for miles around.
Look, the bald cypress falling into the clear water pond—isn't it beautiful? You might never have observed a plant so earnestly and curiously before, but the bald cypress might be the most unforgettable one. It can be said to be the face of mountain plants this season.
The most popular autumn scenery in Southern Anhui is undoubtedly the Bald Cypress Wetland Park. How else could it be that from the previous afternoon, cars from all directions, drawn by its fame, blockaded this small mountain village completely? Time flies, how could one miss such a beautiful natural wonder? To miss it means a year's regret.
Exploring the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the 120km highlight section lies within Xuancheng, from Ningguo in the east to Jing County in the west. This lesser-known spot for summer water play and autumn leaf peeping was also a film base in the 20th century, where several popular movies were shot. If you don't know, your parents' generation will surely have deep impressions.
Oh, by the way, due to bad timing on a weekend with too many tourists, I missed some hidden gems like the Liudao Bay Viewing Platform on Taoling Highway and the Thousand-Year Longevity Paper production site at Shuimo Tingxi. However, these 48 hours of wandering have already satisfied my eyes. Plans may not keep up with changes, but it was still a rewarding trip. Travel is like this; leaving regrets only makes you dream of it more.
2-Day Itinerary: (Suggested for travelers from Nanjing/Shanghai/Hangzhou, reverse order)
Hefei → Xuancheng → Chujia Beach → Qinglong Bay → accommodation near Bald Cypress;
Bald Cypress Wetland Park → Shuimo Tingxi → Moon Bay → Taoling Highway → return.
Take the small town near Bald Cypress as the midpoint; recommend a homestay called Luoyu Qiju, which offers dining and accommodation;
Self-driving is recommended only, although Xuancheng High-Speed Rail Station and Jing County Station are not far from Moon Bay;
The Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway has heavy traffic on weekends during peak hours; remember to stagger your travel times; also convenient for avoiding crowds at popular spots, arriving early for empty scenes and photo ops.
Official Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway route: World Log Cabin Village → Qingxiang Township → Chujia Beach → Fangtang Township → Banqiao Village → Taoling → Suhong Village → Tingxi Township → Aimin Township → Caicun Town.
Xuancheng in Southern Anhui is most famous for 'Xuan paper.' Hence, it is also known as the hometown of China's Four Treasures of the Study. This is inseparable from the good mountains, good waters, and good bamboo, especially the wise and ingenious people of Xuancheng. Xuancheng has an ancient saying 'Southern Xuan, Northern He,' with the reputation of a land of fish and rice in Jiangnan. Besides the culture of the Four Treasures and Hui culture, there are also unique poetry culture, folk culture, food culture, religious culture, and clan culture coexisting and prospering. Known anciently as Wanling and Xuanzhou, it governs Guangde City, Ningguo City, Langxi County, Jixi (one of the ancient Huizhou areas), Jing County, etc. In recent years, the famous Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway runs from Ningguo to Jing County.
When mentioning the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the winding mountain roads and high plateau scenery are adored by many self-driving enthusiasts. The essence of the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway is the 120km stretch from Xuancheng's Ningguo to Jing County. Among them, the 'pearl' is Ningguo's Chujia Beach. This is one of China's most beautiful scenic roads, with primeval forests, grasslands, lakes, etc., making it a paradise for adventure travelers and photographers.
Chujia Beach is located downstream of Qinglong Bay, known as the 'National Water Conservancy Scenic Area' and 'National Forest Park'; about 16 km from downtown Ningguo. Nestled by mountains and rivers, with picturesque scenery, misty rain, and a ten-mile gallery, it is not only a good place for self-driving outings, camping, barbecues, sightseeing, and relaxation, but also an excellent creative and shooting location for photographers and film production teams. From an aerial view, the village is tucked in a valley on a hilly platform, with locals living in clusters by the water, preserving its original features.
This homestay on the east side of Chujia Beach looks very stylish, with a hint of a wild luxury hotel.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides and a bay of blue water, it blends perfectly with the undulating mountain lines, full of poetic charm. Walking along the embankment from west to east, there are ancient trees, wooden bridges, stone fences around vegetable gardens, viewing platforms, bamboo rafts, weeping willows, etc. Across the river are characteristic Huizhou mountain dwellings. The riverside green lawn is specially for tourists to barbecue and camp, making it a great vacation spot for urban families. Parking is convenient, though there may be slight traffic jams on weekends, and many motorcycle enthusiasts.
In the middle of the lawn, there are two stone stairways leading to the riverside for close-up photos, check-ins, and selfies. However, there are no railings, so the elderly and children should be careful. Best photo time: after noon. There are several homestays and inns nearby, as well as many farmhouse restaurants to taste local specialties. Nowadays, Chinese self-driving tourists have higher qualities, and the barbecue and camping areas are clean and tidy. This has invisibly won praise from tourists everywhere.
Standing on the embankment, this angle for shooting the opposite scenery of Chujia Beach is the best, below is the waterfront viewing platform.
Walking a few dozen steps on the shaded path by the river, this bamboo raft moored under the tree branches is full of the authentic flavor of the mountain village.
At the west end of Chujia Beach, this lawn with a riverfront fence is, I think, the best choice for camping—sheltered from wind in autumn and winter, with ample sunlight, a flat ground, and separated by fences. The opposite view is also very centrally composed.
Here, local villagers also display their local specialties—dried bamboo shoots, wild walnut kernels. Judging by the packaging, they seem to be local products. If you like stewing soup or braised pork, dried bamboo shoots are a great ingredient. In autumn and winter, basking in the warm sun here, taking photos, or organizing some outdoor team games is most suitable. If hungry, there are several farmhouse restaurants nearby; if thirsty, there is a small shop. Eating, strolling, playing, full of rustic fun, very suitable for family outings. On crisp autumn days, the pleasing scenery will definitely give you the best golden autumn memories.
When mentioning 'Thousand Island Lake,' you will surely think of Hangzhou's Thousand Island Lake, one of the world's three largest. It not only has an underwater ancient city but is also one of the water sources for Nongfu Spring. It consists of thousands of large and small islands, a vast water area, and beautiful scenery. Yes, the first time I overlooked Qinglong Bay from a bird's eye view, I felt the same. However, what you may not know is that it lies on the mysterious latitude of 30°20′–30°40′ North. This latitude is very peculiar in world geography, highlighting many strange phenomena and creating many mysterious landscapes. So, it's not hard to understand why there is such unique geology in Southern Anhui.
Anhui Qinglong Bay National Forest Park is located west of Ningguo City, Anhui Province, 17 km from downtown Ningguo. As a representative lake landscape in Xuancheng, it is also a must-visit spot on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. From an aerial view, amidst the mountains and lakes, it feels like 'traveling in a painting,' and the protruding islets resemble the narrow canyons, giving the illusion of 'a light boat passing through ten thousand mountains.'
Surrounding residential houses are built along the mountains and lakes, and the roads here are newly built, arguably the most beautiful rural roads. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Chujia Beach. In the afternoon, Qinglong Bay has pleasant scenery, comfortable temperatures, and lush trees. Cars can be parked for free at the Qinglong Bay Tourist Service Center, downstairs. Walk from the square to the lakeshore.
Qinglong Bay is a good place for surrounding leisure vacations, fishing, and outdoor outings. Around the service center is a leisure boat dock. Go around a hill or walk straight to reach the cruise ship dock. First-time visitors may easily go the wrong way.
Here, the air quality is excellent, with high oxygen levels of negative ions and nearly 700 species of animals and plants, resembling a paradise like Yunnan or Lijiang. The lake water is clear, the mountains are beautiful, with steep cliffs, high peaks reaching into the clouds, long canyons, and ancient towering trees. There are many attractions.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I didn't explore the ancient Shangtan Village. Shangtan Old Village was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty, flourished from the Yuan, Ming to the mid-Qing Dynasty, and declined during the Taiping Rebellion in the Xianfeng period of the Qing, with a history of nearly a thousand years. The old Shangtan Village had 72 tofu shops, 98 small stone alleys, covering an area of about one square kilometer, with a population of nearly ten thousand, making it comparable to two prefectures of Ningguo at the time, hence the reputation 'Little Ningguo Prefecture, Big Shangtan Village.'
In the Southern Anhui autumn, the trees on the islands are colorful, with red and green complementing each other, and the green lake water makes one feel relaxed and happy. Qinglong Lake is an artificial lake formed by the large national water conservancy project, Gangwanwan Reservoir, with a storage capacity of 941 million cubic meters. The lake stretches 34 square kilometers, with 38 islands and natural landscapes like the Heidong Waterfall.
On the hillside opposite the service center, there is a memorial arch for Qinglong Bay. This is also a landmark for check-ins. Within the scenic area, there is also Tiewa Temple, also known as Baiyun Zen Temple, founded in the third year of Zhenguan of Tang Dynasty (629 AD), and granted the name 'Baiyun Zen Temple' by Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. The Gangwanwan Reservoir Dam is the first reinforced concrete face rockfill dam in Anhui Province.
Qinglong Bay is a mountain lake-type scenic area. The terrain trend is obvious, with undulating mountains in the southwest, majestic, relatively flat in the northeast with many islands, showing a gentle slope from southwest to northeast. The highest elevation is 1363 meters at Leli Peak.
Walking along the lakeshore, there are double swings, Qingliao Wangfeng Pavilion, fishing platforms, bamboo art corridors, and Longchi. The lake area reaches 90,000 square meters, with clear water. In misty rain or morning fog, mist drifts on the lake, sometimes white herons fly low, or a fisherman's boat passes by. This shimmering mountain lake and surrounding peaks form a beautiful picture of water and sky, like a fairyland.
Fishing enthusiasts nearby love this pristine water, spending an afternoon quietly is a kind of life. Inside the scenic area, sightseeing by boat is the main activity, generally from 8:00 to 17:00, recommended for 2-3 hours. If not entering the scenic area, just strolling around or using it as a rest stop on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is also good.
The Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway traverses the largest reservoir in southeast Anhui—Gangwanwan Reservoir—and the largest primitive forest in southeastern Anhui—Banqiao Nature Reserve. It is definitely one of the most enchanting self-driving routes in the Jiangnan region! It has the beauty of Guilin's landscapes in Guangxi, the wonder of Yunnan's Stone Forest, and the danger of the 318 Sichuan-Tibet Highway, uniquely encapsulating the essence of Southern Anhui landscapes—winding and thrilling, with unique scenery, continuous green mountains or bamboo seas, and occasionally vast reservoirs, making it a great place for self-driving and cycling.
In Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui, the most beautiful autumn-viewing spots are likely Wuyuan in Jiangxi, Huangshan in Anhui, and Shexian in Anhui, where you can see hillsides ablaze with red and layered forests dyed in color! Most of them are in ancient Huizhou or Southern Anhui. Besides the famous 'Tachuan Autumn Colors,' the autumn charm of Southern Anhui also includes the 'Water Kanas' on the famous Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Ningguo, Xuancheng.
Over 2,000 mu of bald cypress forest stands rooted in the lake. From after National Day to mid-November is its most beautiful time. With fiery red leaves, golden feathers flying in the wind, green peaks stacked, and blue waves like ribbons, it has become a must-visit 'hidden gem' on the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway in golden autumn. The bald cypress is a type of cypress with feather-like leaves, hence its name. If you don't go, you'll regret it for a lifetime; if you go, you'll only complain that time is too short. Around 8 in the morning, it's already packed with people and long lines. Many tourists stop on the embankment road to overlook the panoramic view of the bald cypress forest, which is also great.
Different from the bamboo rafts on the Lijiang River, the bamboo rafts on the bald cypress lake glide along the shallow bay. Over 2,000 mu of red cypress forest stands densely and neatly in the water, contrasting with the wide green lake surface, creating a beautiful scene. As the sunlight gradually intensifies, filtering through the layered cypress forest, it forms very nice lines.
The boat ride takes about 20 minutes, but if you encounter a long line, you'll have to wait over an hour. The paths outside the scenic area are also good for checking in by the water. When you arrive at the scenic area, from the lush green forest to suddenly entering this vast red woodland, you'll be very excited.
I wanted to come this golden autumn weekend to witness 'Every tree is tinged with autumn color, every mountain bathed in sunset glow'... but I was too naive. The scenic area is so popular that cars from all directions jammed up traffic. Even arriving the night before, I didn't make it the next day. Must be fully prepared, or missing this season means waiting another year.
Some people hold bamboo poles, some stand on the rocky shore with oil-paper umbrellas or twirl silk scarves, taking photos with the scenery in different ways, which is also fun.
Sitting on the bamboo raft, what to look at? Look at the bald cypress 'floating' on the water just beneath you, look at the golden feathers floating quietly on the lake, or look up at the full fruits at the top of the trees. Or bend down to touch the green lake water. Occasionally, wild mandarin ducks swim leisurely in the forest, full of rustic charm.
From a bird's-eye view, it may not be as colorful as 'God's overturned palette,' but it is mysterious and stunning. From dawn to dusk, each moment is different, fleeting. From boating on the blue waves to strolling on the embankment, every step offers a new scene, overwhelming the eyes.
Nature is so magical—different climates, soils, and geographical locations give birth to different natural beauty. Such splendor is truly a fairyland on earth, Water Kanas, a stunning red cypress forest. No words, no matter how brilliant, can describe or express it.
Take one look, and you cannot erase its fiery image from your mind. I wonder, how do they propagate? The boatman said the wind blows their seeds to the lakeshore. Although they grow in water, they need soil initially to cultivate. If unlucky, seeds falling into water won't grow into bald cypress. It's amazing that such a large forest has taken many springs and autumns to form. Indeed, Water Kanas is a natural wonder.
Photography tips: The slopes, waterside, and bamboo rafts are all good shooting spots—from wide-angle views, standard mid-range shots, to telephoto close-ups. They are all excellent opportunities for photography and creative work. Especially at sunrise, morning, and evening. Whether light and shadow, composition, or portraits, all are good.
Within 2 km, you can reach a bustling mountain town with many homestays and inns. It is recommended to book a room a week in advance. This is similar to when I went to Linzhi in Tibet to explore China's most beautiful primeval forest, Gangyun Spruce Forest. Also, I arrived early to stay in the mountains and explore the most primitive spruce forest early in the morning.
This homestay is not bad, run by local villagers, clean and tidy with complete facilities, providing meals, and convenient parking. There is also a small shop nearby.
At 6:30 in the morning, the stream in front of the homestay was shrouded in mist, and unbeknownst to me, I had already missed the most beautiful sunrise over the bald cypress forest.
On the mysterious Jiangnan Sky Road, the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway, besides the 'pearl' Chujia Beach and the 'Water Kanas' Bald Cypress Wetland Park, there is also a film base from the 20th century, 'Moon Bay' in Jing County. In summer, it's a great place for water play, mountain outings, and camping in Southern Anhui; in autumn and winter, the rocky beach, strange pines, and autumn mountain villages become unique check-in spots. Look, the lone pine standing on the right hilltop.
Moon Bay, located in Dakang Village, Caicun Town, 18 km from Jing County town, is a AA-level national tourist attraction. Driving there, you are greeted by bursts of fresh breeze mixed with the fragrance of green bamboo; what catches your eyes are the towering green mountains and the quietly flowing river. Crossing a stone bridge leads to the babbling mountain stream, with large willow trees on the bank. The afternoon sun is bright and pleasant. It is a good rest stop on the essence section of the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Jing County, with no entrance fee in autumn. However, in autumn and winter, it is the dry season; the originally wide river now has exposed rocky beaches.
Moon Bay is beautiful in its naturalness, in its natural landscape and scenery. It has also been chosen as an outdoor filming base by several film studios. Excellent films such as 'Reconnaissance Across the Yangtze,' 'The Laughter of Moon Bay,' and 'The Storm of Moon Bay' have shot their outdoor scenes here.
In autumn and winter, the dry season in the mountains exposes rocky beaches, becoming a great place for urban tourists to experience. Walking on them, crunching, bending down to find oddly shaped stones, it's full of rustic fun. However, the elderly and children should be careful. There is a stone bridge over the river, presumably a landmark, still passable on foot. In 2000, Moon Bay developed a rafting project, with the rafting route from Dongyuan to Wujia Bridge, 9 km long. In 2009, kayaking was added. Crossing to the other side of the river, there are some farmhouse restaurants and homestays.
Autumn and winter are off-seasons, with only one or two farmhouse restaurants nearby, but many barbecues in summer. Local villagers sell local specialties by the roadside, like wild walnuts. Even in the dry season, the reflections of bamboo forests and mountains on the water are already beautiful. Imagine in spring and summer, the rushing fresh breeze mixed with the fragrance of green bamboo, the towering green mountains and quietly flowing river, the silence only broken by occasional boatmen's calls in the distance.
The scenic area is divided into upstream and downstream halves, with the essence in the downstream section, where the Moon Bay Scenic Area Service Center is located. Currently, the area is under construction. The mountain roads are rugged and remote, so self-driving is recommended. About 20 minutes away by car is Xuancheng High-Speed Rail Station. (Text and photos by Donkey Says Travel)
Travelogue directory:
1. Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway: Driving through Xuancheng, Exploring Ningguo, Seeking Autumn in Jing County
2. Self-driving itinerary arrangements
3. D1 Chujia Beach – 'Little Guilin' of the Ink-Wash Dwellings in Southern Anhui
4. D2 Qinglong Bay – 'Little Thousand Island Lake' on the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway
5. D3 Bald Cypress – Photography hotspot 'Water Kanas' filming location
6. D4 Moon Bay – Former film base
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