Free Admission | Hanzhong Liping Red Leaves Are About to Enter the Best Viewing Period

It turns out red leaves can be so beautiful they take your breath away! Sunlight passes through the maple leaves, dyeing the creek water orange-red, Fallen leaves drift on the moss like scattered dried mango pieces. Red leaf coverage exceeds 95%, with a scenic view at every step. 🍁 Red Leaf Opening: Cloud opening on October 15, 2025 👏 Free Ticket Benefits: October 18-19, free admission for all (only need to buy sightseeing bus tickets) Entry after 3:00 PM daily allows registration for free admission the next day, requiring purchase of a second scenic shuttle bus ticket. 🍁🍁🍁 Other times: Ticket + shuttle bus standard price 115 RMB ⏰ Best Viewing Period: Colorful Splendor (Early October to Mid-October): Gradual blend of green, yellow, orange, and red. Forest Ablaze (Late October to Mid-November): Peak red leaf season, mountains covered in fiery red like "burning flames." Leaves Falling Like Red Snow (Mid to Late November): Fallen leaves cover the forest floor, poetic and romantic. 📸 Must-Visit Spots and Routes 🔸 Hongchen Gorge An 8-kilometer-long canyon where maple and acer trees intertwine with pools and waterfalls, offering a scenic view at every step. Recommended to walk on the right side of the trail to see red leaves reflected in the emerald pools. 🔸 Maple Forest Waterfall The waterfall cascades through the red leaves, creating the spectacular "Red Maple and Green Water" scene. Behind the waterfall is a semi-transparent viewing platform—stand inside for silhouette photos with a full atmospheric vibe. 🔸 Zhonghua Longshan (Chinese Dragon Mountain) A 450-million-year-old underwater reef group now surrounded by red leaves, with a nearby dawn redwood forest. The popular bird’s nest swing is hidden here. 🔸 Red Leaf Photo Frame Check-in: Photo frames are set up at the gateway area and Yunu Peak, perfect for capturing red leaves and streams in the same shot. 🎨 Hanfu Experience 🔹 The Hanfu Pavilion at the Visitor Center offers Tang-style round-collar robes, Song-style beizi, and other styles for 50 RMB / 2 hours, including hairstyling. Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft Interaction 🔹 During the free admission period on October 18-19, intangible cultural heritage inheritors of Hanzhong vine weaving, palm leaf box weaving, and pottery making will demonstrate their skills on-site. You can weave a small vine basket yourself (80 RMB each) or try lacquerware gold painting. 📌 Notes Bring a thermos! It’s very comforting to drink hot water when the wind is strong on the mountaintop, as there are few hot water supply points in the scenic area. The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is large; it is recommended to wear a windbreaker + thin down jacket, and non-slip shoes are essential. ⏰ Departure Dates: October 18/22/25/29 & multiple dates in November 🏮 Two-Day Deep Tour Route: Day 1: Xi’an -- Liping Day 2: Liping -- Xi’an (Visit Huangyang River Scenic Area’s Tianshu Cliff, Underwater Stone City, Dragon Scale Maze, Sword Gorge, Hongchen Gorge, Five-Color Waterfall, Liping Scenic Area’s Bashan Pine Primitive Forest, and the unique and robust Stone Forest group)