Liaoning’s Hidden Gem for Maple Viewing! The Pristine Autumn Colors of Xiangshui Temple Dazzle All October Long

With babbling streams and fiery maple leaves, this little-known temple tucked away in Kuandian is donning the most splendid attire of the year. In Baoshi Village, Maodianzi Town, Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Dandong, there is a scenic area called Xiangshui Temple, known as a “hidden gem” among niche attractions. It has seen little human development or construction, preserving the most original natural landscape. Every October, the mountains and fields quietly change their colors, lighting up the entire forest. Layers of various hues overlap, creating a vibrant sea of colors. 01 Pristine Scenery: The Untouched Beauty of Autumn The autumn colors at Xiangshui Temple differ from the carefully manicured landscapes of traditional tourist spots. Everything here is in its most natural state. Mountains, water, waterfalls, deep pools, maple leaves, forests, and temple ruins blend seamlessly. When the breeze blows, maple leaves flutter and fall, and visitors often can’t help but pick some up as souvenirs. The maple trees here are wild and pure, with leaves turning bright red everywhere, dyeing the entire area in crimson. Standing inside the scenic area and looking out, the lush green forests intertwine with varying shades of autumn colors, like a palette spilled by nature itself. The warm autumn delays the frost, allowing the valley’s “maple passion” to linger longer. 02 Unique Experience: Autumn Whispers Between Mountains and Water At Xiangshui Temple, maple viewing is accompanied by the company of hanging waterfalls in the forest. The waterfall scenery in the area is breathtaking, with the main waterfall stretching over 100 meters. In spring and autumn, the water flows like silk threads; in summer, it resembles fabric. The Donghu Grand Waterfall, at 52 meters high, is the tallest waterfall in Liaoning Province. The cascading water roars powerfully, spraying clouds and mist, sounding like tigers roaring and dragons chanting. By the deep pool beneath the waterfall, ice can still be seen in early summer, while the cliffs around the frozen ice are lush with vegetation and blooming mountain flowers, creating a striking contrast. The Jiulong Pool features nine waterfalls and nine pools with endlessly changing views. The waterfalls vary in length, the pools differ in size, slopes vary, and shapes are diverse. 03 Best Time: A Colorful Feast in Golden October October is the perfect season for maple viewing. Liaoning has many varieties of maple trees, and the Xiangshui Temple area, with its mountainous terrain and varying elevations, offers a richer range of color layers due to the differing growth conditions of the maples. This year’s warm autumn climate has slowed the ripening of the leaves, extending the maple viewing period. For photography enthusiasts, the pristine scenery here is unforgettable and an excellent destination for capturing nature. One visitor remarked after touring: “Here, you can not only admire the maple leaves but also feel a sense of tranquility that temporarily makes me forget the trivialities and worries of life.” Travel Tips: From downtown Dandong, take the highway toward Kuandian County. After reaching Maodianzi Town, head west along Yongbian Road for 3 kilometers to arrive at Baoshi Village. From the village entrance, walk north along Baodong Village Road for about 4 kilometers to reach this autumn-colored pristine scenic area. Xiangshui Temple has no entrance fee. While the autumn colors in the city still show signs of grooming, the maple leaves here are wildly and vividly red, quietly waiting for your arrival.