Breaking into the “Flaming Mountain” deep in the Qinling Mountains, hiding the wildest autumn in Chang’an

📅 Trip Highlights at a Glance ✅ Visual Impact: Tens of thousands of acres of wild maple forests dye the valleys red, with a red leaf corridor more intense than Kyoto, Japan ✅ Wild Experience: Hike ancient post roads, collect volcanic stones, and encounter the Qinling Four Treasures (Golden Snub-nosed Monkey/Red-bellied Tragopan sightings alert!) ✅ Food Surprise: At the foot of the mountain, enjoy Lantian’s Nine Big Bowls and taste the immortal jelly noodles (a Tang Dynasty intangible cultural heritage cold noodle dish) 🌄 Morning: Enter the Secret Realm of Maple Flames (8:00-11:30) 📍 Recommended Route: East Gate of Scenic Area → Volcanic Crater Ruins → Maple Forest Boardwalk → Camel Rock Viewing Platform First Stop: Volcanic Crater Ruins (8:30-9:30) A unique landform formed by volcanic eruptions billions of years ago, with black and red rocks creating a strong contrast with the red leaves. 📸 Must-shoot scenes: Stand at the edge of the volcanic pit for overhead shots (wide-angle lens is more stunning) Hold up a volcanic stone to “support” the distant maple forest in a perspective shot Second Stop: Maple Forest Boardwalk Walk (9:30-11:00) A 3-kilometer suspended wooden boardwalk winding through maple trees, most spectacular from late October to early November. 🔍 Hidden photo spots: At the 47th corner of the boardwalk, red leaves form a natural archway Crouch and shoot upward to let sunlight filter through the maple leaves creating a starburst effect Third Stop: Camel Rock Panorama (11:00-11:30) A giant rock shaped like a camel is the highest point, offering views of five colors of maple leaves (yellow/orange/red/purple/green gradient) 🍜 Noon: Mountain Wild Exclusive Delicacies (12:00-13:30) 🏡 Recommended Restaurant: Lingxia Renjia (40 RMB per person) Must-order trio: 🔸 Immortal Jelly Noodles (made with leaves from the Qinling immortal tree, drizzled with spicy vinegar sauce) 🔸 Acorn Jelly Noodles (same staple food as squirrels, served with wild chive sauce) 🔸 Fire Crystal Persimmon Cake (maple leaf shape, with molten sesame filling) Hidden perk: Show your scenic area ticket to get “Maple Dew Tea” brewed with Lantian jade (natural maple leaf patterns at the bottom of the cup) 🌿 Afternoon: Wild Exploration Time (14:00-17:00) 🎯 Choose your activity: Light hikers → Ancient Salt Road Adventure Walk along the Tang Dynasty salt transport stone path, encounter waterfall clusters At the end, there is a “Matchmaking Maple” tree where you can tie a red string and make a red leaf print for blessings on site Families with kids → Nature Classroom Collect volcanic stones (staff will teach you how to identify collectible types) Make leaf rubbings with maple leaves (tools provided free at the visitor center) Photography enthusiasts → Stakeout Qinling Spirits 3:00-4:00 PM is the feeding peak for golden snub-nosed monkeys (bring a telephoto lens) Red-bellied tragopans often appear in the western arrow bamboo forest (wear camouflage for easier approach) 📌 Practical Survival Guide Transportation: 🚗 Self-drive navigation to “Lantian Camel Ridge Scenic Area” (1.5 hours from Xi’an) 🚌 Take bus 904 from Textile City Bus Station to “Lantian Bus Station,” then transfer to the scenic area shuttle (departs daily at 9:00 AM) Tickets: Peak season 60 RMB (Oct 15 - Nov 30), off-season 30 RMB Gear checklist: ✔ Non-slip hiking shoes (some sections have moss) ✔ Thermos (free hot water supply at mid-mountain) ✔ Sealable bags (allowed to legally collect up to 10 fallen leaves) Pitfall warnings: ❌ Don’t buy “wild lingzhi mushrooms” from roadside vendors (mostly cultivated) ❌ Beware of villagers claiming to “show shortcuts” (easy to get lost) 🎯 Suitable for: ✔ Hardcore players wanting to shoot National Geographic-level red leaf photos ✔ Families with kids/pet-friendly (dogs allowed) craving wild fun ✔ Science buffs obsessed with geological wonders 🔥 Ultimate Easter Egg: 200 meters north of the volcanic crater, there is a “singing” maple forest—when the wind blows, leaves at certain angles whistle like a flute! (Only appears during specific times in early November)