Chasing Autumn Colors Across Beautiful China
During the autumn China turns into the sea of red, yellow and amber colors. The large size of the country makes changing colors manifest themselves differently - in the northern forests and in southern valleys. If you are going to travel, here is a list of some of the best places to enjoy the magic autumn in China.
The Golden Ginkgo Trees of Beijing
One of the easiest cities to experience fall leaves, the fall season’s flag-bearer of Beijing are its scenic lines of ginkgos. During October and November, the campuses of Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue and Peking University are tunnels of gold. Parks also showcase autumn in unique ways: Fragrant Hills Park becomes a canvas of deep red smoke trees, drawing crowds eager to climb to its pagoda and admire sweeping views over the city. The commingling of imperial structures and multi-hued leaves makes Beijing’s fall unforgettable.
The Fiery Maples of the Jiuzhaigou Valley
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park in Sichuan Province was well known with its turquoise lakes and falling waters. The autumn colors, usually between late in September and mid-October, are really wonderful, the surrounding woods turning crimson and gold. The vivid leaves are reflected by the clear waters in Five Flower Lake and Mirror Lake which make almost surrealistic scenes. Since Jiuzhaigou is situated on high part of Min Mountains, there is fresh cool air and sight of snow crowned mountains in the distance which provides an added attraction to the place. Being both the most colorful in the fall and having some of the cleanest nature, Jiuzhaigou is among the most renowned autumn travel destinations in China.
The Poplar Groves of Inner Mongolia
For the really unusual, head west toInner Mongolia’s Ejin Banner. There, they have huge Euphrates poplar woods, a gold-palette in October. They bloom in the desert arid climate, presenting a wonderful yellow leaf-and-sand-and-blue-sky contrast. Trekking travelers usually go to places like Juyan Sea or Populus Euphratica Forest National Nature Reserve, where gnarled old trees form sculptural shapes. Bathing in the late sun in this place and watching the glint of the leaves is almost otherworldly, and it shows the whole other side of China’s autumn splendor.
The Ancient Peaks of Huangshan
Huangshan or Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province is among the most renowned scenic spots in China which will greatly charm you with its picturesque view that it shows during the fall. Maples and sweetgum cling on granite cliffs as they turn bright red and orange with mist wisps on the peaks. Peak tourist season is usually late October to early November. Autumn also brings fresh air, making it an excellent time to see the “Sea of Clouds” phenomenon from the mountaintops. The glowing colors and characteristic tortured ridges have served as the muse of artists and poets throughout the ages.
The Valley Forests of Kanas Lake
Autumn at northern Xinjiang’s Kanas Lake is an entirely different scene from the desert poplars of Ejin. There are colored larch and birch forest high in the Altai mountains, surrounded by an arc of high-altitude turquoise lake shore. Tree reflections in the water are particularly excellent during sunrise and sunset. Local Kazakh villages add cultural depth, with wooden houses and traditional lifestyles that harmonize with the natural environment. The colors are typically best during late September to early October when the forest is colored best.
The Rolling Hills of Jiuhua and Beyond
Southeast China’s Anhui province also provides a worthwhile day trip in autumn season of its mountain of Jiuhua. One of the nation’s sacred Buddhist mountains, the location blends religion and autumn color. Red maples and yellow ginkgo are planted in the hillsides, and peaceful temples are covered by the scenery. In southern China, Longji Rice Terraces in Guangxi are also nice autumn destinations due to their uniquely colored autumn picture. Harvest time makes the terraces sea waves of gold that shine in the sun, offering an entirely different kind of fall scene from mountains and forest.
Autumn in China You Will Never Forget
What makes China’s autumn so unique is that it is so diverse. Ranging from the imperial gardens of Beijing to the distant woods of Xinjiang, the palette and mood of any region is very clear and distinct. Regardless of which desired scenery you prefer the vast mountainous spaces, striking natural lakes, or deserts, fall adds some special touches to the beauty of the land. Whether the ingredients of the trip are nature, culture, and colors, there’s no season to visit China but autumn.
