The autumn at Ruqin Lake is a love letter written by the maple leaves to the mountains and waters.

Mount Lu Ruqin Lake Maple Leaf Check-in Route: Immersive Tour of the Red Maple Secret Realm Core Route (about 3 hours in total, easy with no steep slopes) 1. Start: Ruqin Lake Main Gate → Lakeside Wooden Boardwalk (10-minute walk) ◦ After entering, walk straight along the lake. The wooden boardwalk is built along the water, with the lake surface reflecting the red and yellow intertwined maple leaves, paired with the distant dark mountain shadows. Every shot is a close-up of the "maple scenery on the water." 2. Core Check-in Point: Huajing Park → Maple Forest Secret Realm (20-minute walk) ◦ Pass through the Huajing archway, turn into the forest path on the right, where dense clusters of Japanese maple trees grow. Sunlight filters through the branches and leaves, casting "shattered golden red shadows," perfect for portrait silhouettes and close-up shots of leaf veins. 3. Elevated Viewing Point: Entrance Viewing Platform of Jinxiu Valley (30-minute walk) ◦ From the maple forest, walk up a gentle slope to reach the viewing platform overlooking the entire Ruqin Lake. The red maples wind along the lakeshore like a "scarlet belt," and with the mist, it looks like a fairyland. 4. Return: Walk along the west lakeside trail → Exit (40-minute walk) ◦ The west shore is quieter with fewer people. Occasionally, there are century-old maple trees beside the boardwalk, and fallen leaves form a "red carpet," ideal for a slow walk to enjoy the scenery or to record dynamic videos of falling leaves. Practical Tips • Best Time: Late October to mid-November. After the temperature drops, the redness of the maple leaves reaches 80%. The soft light in the early morning or evening increases the chance of great photos. • Outfit Suggestions: Wear solid colors like off-white, light gray, or dark green to create a color contrast with the red maples. New Chinese-style qipao or knitted vests can echo the poetic charm of the mountains and waters. • Avoid Pitfalls: Weekends are crowded, so it is recommended to visit on weekdays. The lakeside wooden boardwalk can be slippery at times, so wearing non-slip shoes is safer. Maple Leaves