Southern Anhui: A Feast of Autumn Scenery - Free Travel on the Little Sichuan-Tibet Highway 2024-11

In the golden autumn season, a spontaneous self-drive trip on the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway to enjoy the hidden scenic wonders.

There are many travel guides online for the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The route map given by a friend served as a basic reference and turned out to be quite good after being put into practice.

Early on the first day, we set off from Nanjing, taking the Ningxuan and Xuantong expressways. We exited at the Ningguo tollgate a little after 10 a.m. and entered via the east entrance of the Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Along the way, we mainly experienced the beauty of forests tinted in layers, hills covered in red, and the splendid colors of nature.

East Entrance of Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Ningguo

“318, a must-drive in this life” – such internet-famous landmarks would be seen everywhere later. Seeing it for the first time, of course we stopped for a commemorative photo.

Zhenye Tianjing – a resort we stumbled upon after a ten-minute drive from the east entrance. Surrounded by mountains, with lush green grass and clear streams, and a few autumn trees in the distance whose colors were not yet vibrant. Seeing such beauty beyond the guide was very exciting. After that, this kind of scenery could be seen everywhere – that's the advantage of a self-drive trip.

Ningguo Chujia Beach

Chujia Beach, the first scenic spot on the route. It had rained the day before, and the sky was overcast. Gazing at the ink-wash houses on the opposite shore,

Withered vines, old trees, evening crows, the setting sun in the west...

Every tree is autumn-colored, every mountain bathed in sunset glow...

After a fresh rain in the empty mountain, autumn comes late in the weather...

Such poetic imagery and lingering autumn feelings might suddenly come to your mind.

Homestays and restaurants already have a strong commercial atmosphere. The price difference between ordinary farmhouse inns and boutique homestays can be several times. Most restaurants serve Huizhou cuisine with clear prices: main dishes around 130, medium dishes around 70, and vegetables around 40. The per capita cost is about 60-70.

The best season for Chujia Beach is not autumn but summer. In the early morning, with thin mist swirling, you can drift along the stream. 'The clear mountains appear after the fog clears; the lingering mist disperses one after another.'

Leaving Chujia Beach, the next stop was Qinglong Lake Viewing Post.

Qinglong Lake Viewing Post

Qinglong Lake Viewing Post is just a roadside viewing platform. There are many such platforms along the way. Each offers excellent scenery and is a great spot for photos. But the mountain roads are narrow, so you can't stay long – just about ten minutes.

Fangtang Starry Sky Camping Base

Because it had rained, the weather was gloomy, and there were no stars to see. We passed by quickly and headed to the highlight of the trip: Fangtang Bald Cypress Wetland Park.

Fangtang Bald Cypress Wetland Park

Located in the same waters as Qinglong Bay, the bald cypress wetland park has more than 2,000 mu of bald cypress forest that has entered its best viewing period. We were very excited!

After driving through mountain roads for over 40 minutes, we finally reached the scenic area. This type of tree, with feather-shaped leaves that turn fiery red in golden autumn and grow in water, has become the most beautiful sight of the season.

It is the brightest 'star' of Southern Anhui's autumn scenery. Not only because it benefits from the fame of the Jiangnan Heavenly Road and the mysterious Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway, but also because it is no less impressive than the autumn colors of Tacun in Yixian County, Huangshan, which is listed among China's top ten most beautiful autumn spots.

There is an observation deck on the hillside by the road, which is the highest point of the bald cypress wetland park. The red leaves are like fire, and the golden feathers flutter in the wind. From an aerial view, the scene is even more enchanting: green peaks layered, emerald waters ribbon-like. This vast expanse of over 2,000 mu of cypress forest has become the most spectacular natural wonder in the surrounding hundred li.

The entire scenic area has wild trails, cheap boats, and bamboo rafts. There are various guides online. But since the area charges an entrance fee, naturally there are even more beautiful sights: the boat ride and the boardwalk were indeed breathtaking.

As it was getting dark, we decided to stay overnight, looking forward to the morning mist and sunrise the next day.

The bald cypress wetland park was in peak season, but since it wasn't a weekend, the homestay price was about 200 per night for a room facing the scenic area. It was clean and hygienic, with bed linens like those in star-rated hotels.

We stopped to immerse ourselves in the autumn colors of Southern Anhui, sipping tea and wine. 'Every tree is autumn-colored, every mountain bathed in sunset glow.' If you miss this ten-day period, you have to wait another year. Being at the right place, with the right person, at the right time. Travel also requires 'heavenly timing, earthly advantages, and human harmony.'

Leaving the bald cypress wetland park, the next stop was Banqiao Primeval Forest. After a 40-minute drive, we arrived at Banqiao Primeval Forest Park, which is still undeveloped. We parked and walked slowly, not venturing deep into the interior. However, along the way, there were many viewpoints worth stopping at.

The Six Bends of Taoling is the most challenging section of the Southern Anhui Qinghai-Tibet self-drive route. The terrain is steep with many sharp turns. The car snakes along the mountainside, winding and twisting, while the colorful forests faintly visible through the mountain mist are absolutely stunning. Between the cliffs, macaques sit by the roadside, foraging and interacting with tourists.

318, a must-drive in this life – internet-famous signs are everywhere. At Six Bends, there's a 'wealth meeting point.' Haha.

Shuimo Tingxi Scenic Area

Shuimo Tingxi, a name full of poetic charm (good name, good location, but in autumn it's not as good as imagined).

Clouds and mist linger, mountains and waters blend,

The stream murmurs, the small bridge stands aloof – has time stopped?

Rafting and boating downstream are only a luxury in summer.

The Changzhou Restaurant directly opposite the scenic area is a very large hotel there, and its dishes have a distinct Changzhou flavor, quite unique in Southern Anhui.

A great place to play in water, naturally not for autumn. We could only pass by quickly.

Moon Bay, high-altitude waterfall.

Southern Anhui Sichuan-Tibet Highway:

▪️ The Bald Cypress Forest is most beautiful in late autumn.

▪️ Shuimo Tingxi and Moon Bay are only fun in summer.

▪️ Morning mist requires early mornings in autumn or winter...

Along the way, the food is mostly Huizhou cuisine with farmhouse dishes. To try authentic Huizhou cuisine, online recommendations point to 'Huijude' in Xuancheng Wanda Plaza.

Pan-fried hairy tofu.

Writing a travelogue allows you to relive every detail, like the aftertaste of tea. Memories and interesting anecdotes are more enjoyable than moments shared in social circles or short videos.