The Secret Hiking Spot with Colorful Forests - Hulu Peak

In autumn, Hulu Peak in Jinan is a picturesque place with colorful forests, making it a great destination for a trip. Here is a travel guide: 1. Best Time to Visit It is recommended to start after 4 PM. At this time, the sunlight is soft, allowing you to enjoy the stunning sunset views. The whole trip takes about 2 hours. You can arrive 40 minutes early to reach the summit and secure the best viewing spot to watch the sunset paint the city in warm tones. 2. Transportation Guide • Self-driving: Navigate to "Fudi Street." You can park at the end of the street on the roadside, but be careful not to block the way. • Bus: Take bus K139 to "Longding Avenue Longxiang Road Station," then walk about 10 minutes to the entrance. The last bus is at 10:00 PM, so no worries about missing the return trip. 3. Essential Items • Water: Bring at least 1.5L of water. There is no water for sale halfway up the mountain, so avoid getting thirsty. • Mosquito repellent: There are many mosquitoes in the forest. Remember to spray mosquito repellent, especially on ankles, neck, and other exposed areas. • Sunscreen: The summit is exposed with strong UV rays. Bring a hat, arm sleeves, and sunscreen for protection. • Non-slip shoes: The mountain path has gravel. It is recommended to wear sports shoes with non-slip soles. Avoid wearing flip-flops to prevent falls. • Lighting equipment: If you want to enjoy the night view and descend after dark, bring a phone power bank or a portable flashlight for illumination. 4. Photo Spots • Summit viewing platform: Offers a 360° panoramic view of Jinan city and the Longdong mountain range. At sunrise and sunset, the layered mountain shadows blend with the sea of clouds. Wearing a solid-colored long dress and a straw hat, backlit silhouette shots work great here. • Stream and stone beach at mid-mountain: Clear stream water surrounds smooth boulders. Take off your shoes to step in the water and capture lively moments. Bringing a transparent umbrella can create creative "water reflection" photos. • Karst rock wall: The natural folds and textures of the rock wall are very distinctive. Wearing workwear-style outfits and using portrait mode on your phone after 4 PM with side lighting enhances the three-dimensional effect, making it easy to create stunning shots. 5. Nearby Food After the trip, you can head to Longdong Farmhouse Banquet at the south end of Longding Avenue to taste Shandong cuisine like Sichuan pepper chicken and spring water tofu, costing about 50 RMB per person with rich flavors. Alternatively, you can relax at Yujian Coffee halfway up the mountain, enjoying an osmanthus latte paired with the autumn-exclusive cornelian cherry special, in a glass house with a viewing terrace for a leisurely break.