12.1 Real Shots of Jiuxi: Monet’s Autumn Garden in Real Life

Hangzhou is famously praised as "Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below." If you visit Hangzhou in autumn, the colors of Jiuxi are sure to be vibrant and colorful. The best time to view the maple leaves 🍁 in Jiuxi is usually in mid-December. The ancient poem "Frosty leaves are redder than the flowers of February" is truly realistic. 📍【Basic Information】 ◾ Location: Jiuxi Eighteen Streams, Hangzhou ◾ Total length: about 10 km, elevation gain 400+ ◾ Difficulty: ⭐☆☆ (Beginner friendly) 🚗【Transportation Guide】 ✅ Public transport: You can get there by following navigation on the subway; here we mainly talk about driving ✅ Driving: To enter the internal parking lot of the scenic area, you must make a reservation in advance on the "Palm West Lake Xixi" app 📸【Must-Photograph Spots】 ✔️【Jiuxi Misty Trees】Classic spot, shoot the reflection of maple leaves in the water ✔️【Lian Temple】Ancient temple with yellow walls + ginkgo trees, full of Zen vibes ✔️【Stream Stone Steps】A walkway covered with fallen leaves, great for overhead shots with atmosphere ✔️【Tea Fields】The contrasting colors of red maples and green tea fields make for stunning photos! 💥Highly recommended, a fully immersive experience for: 1⃣️ Urban workers & young people feeling burnt out Come here for "forest therapy," listen to the white noise of the stream, watch sunlight filter through the leaves, and instantly heal mental fatigue. It’s a perfect weekend recharge spot. 2⃣️ Families with children (3 years and older) A natural playground for kids. Children can safely step in the water, observe insects, and collect fallen leaves, which is more meaningful than any indoor playground. Remember to bring extra clothes and water guns 🔫 3⃣️ Photography & Hanfu/forest style enthusiasts Every step offers a new scene, from streams, ancient trees 🌲, tea gardens to maple leaves, with a very high photo success rate. Autumn is a photographer’s paradise. 4⃣️ Beginner hikers & outdoor novices The route is gentle and friendly in intensity, making it a perfect starting point to enjoy hiking and build confidence. 5⃣️ Couples & friends gathering The atmosphere is quiet and romantic, ideal for walking and chatting or enjoying a relaxed and pleasant autumn picnic. 6⃣️ Middle-aged and elderly people The air quality is excellent, suitable for health walks. It is recommended to only walk the main road (Jiuxi Road) to Jiuxi Misty Trees, where the path is smooth. Avoid slippery stream stone steps and take breaks as needed. ⚠️ Groups who should consider carefully: 1⃣️ Families with strollers The main road (Jiuxi Road) is stroller-friendly, but once you enter the true "Eighteen Streams" area, it’s all gravel paths and river stone steps, making it very difficult to push a baby stroller 👶🏻. Using a baby carrier is recommended. 2⃣️ Adventurers seeking high-intensity, pure thrill experiences The tone here is quiet, leisurely, and healing, not thrilling or adventurous.