A Spontaneous National Day Trip: Across Five Provinces, Embracing the Unique Autumn Colors

The poetic and idyllic scenes in our friends' social media posts are, after all, someone else's story. Only by experiencing it ourselves can we appreciate the beauty of the world that is unique to us. So, a spontaneous trip was born, without too much planning, just enjoying the scenery wherever we go. We traveled over 800 kilometers, arriving first at the Zhouzhi Water Street Yanhuo Alley. Here, small bridges and flowing water resemble lines of poetry, while the grey tiles and colorful lanterns look like a painting. During the day, it exudes an ancient charm, quiet and simple; at night, neon lights flicker, draping the water street in a gorgeous coat. Amidst the glittering lights, it's like a guest dressed to the nines, dazzling and eye-catching. The vibrant atmosphere is not only about the people and the scenery, but also the food. The water street at night is full of life, while during the day, after shedding its glamorous attire, it gains tranquility but loses some of its bustling ambiance. From Zhouzhi, we followed the Meitai Line, passing through Gaojiang Road and the most beautiful mountain villages along the way. Unfortunately, we arrived a little early, before the peak season, and missed the spectacular scenery of the colorful forests, leaving a slight regret in our hearts. We must come back in late autumn to immerse ourselves in that captivating beauty. In the evening, we settled in Liuba County. An old street in the county town, brightly lit, has become a popular spot for tourists. The Qinling Mountains divide the south and the north. Starting from Hunan, we passed through Hubei and then to Shaanxi, enjoying the autumn scenery around the Qinling Mountains. There are many scenic spots worth visiting along the way, especially the Zibai Mountain winding road from National Highway G316 to Liuba County. The S-shaped bends are numerous and steep, perfect for experienced drivers. However, friends with less driving experience should prioritize safety and choose carefully. From Liuba County, we headed south to Guangwu Mountain, a 5A scenic spot in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province. Despite the unfavorable weather and drizzle, it didn't dampen our spirits for sightseeing. The autumn wind swept through, scattering fallen leaves, and the red leaves felt as familiar as old friends. When we left Guangwu Mountain, the rain was still falling, and the mountain air was exceptionally fresh, shrouded in mist. We were in the car, driving through the fog, a beautiful scene difficult to capture with a phone, so we etched it deeply in our minds. Continuing our journey, we arrived at Enyang Ancient Town. Here, we dined, checked in, and toured the ancient town. Besides its commercial atmosphere, the ancient town is also filled with the rich local life. Scenes of friends gathering around a stove for tea, ear cleaning, and playing mahjong are common. Both locals and tourists can easily blend in. After the tour, we drove for over two hours to Dazhou, our destination for the third day. After settling into our accommodation, we went to Luofu Square for a hearty dinner, concluding a fulfilling day. From Dazhou, we headed to Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County in Chongqing. We made a brief stop at Wulong on the way, but since the scenic spot's parking lot was full, we abandoned our plans to visit and went straight to Pengshui Chiyou Jiuli City. This is not a popular attraction, so there weren't many tourists. It is the largest Miao traditional architectural complex in China. The Jiuli Divine Pillar is the tallest and largest Miao totem pole in the world, and the Jiuli Palace is the tallest and largest stilt house in the world. Looking out from a high vantage point, the mountains are shrouded in mist, and the unique architectural style offers a distinctive charm. When visiting a city, besides admiring the scenery, tasting the local cuisine is a must. In Pengshui, we found a highly-rated restaurant online called Zaodongjia. After navigating a maze of streets, we arrived at the restaurant and found it incredibly busy, requiring reservations in advance. After a long discussion with the owner, we were finally given an outdoor table. However, the food here was delicious and affordable, highly recommended. In Pengshui, there is also a forgotten scenic spot called Ayi River. Surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers, it integrates mountains, water, forests, springs, and canyons, combining grandeur, wonder, danger, beauty, and tranquility, making it an ideal place to escape the summer heat. Although drifting is not possible in this season, strolling along the river reveals crystal-clear water, lush vegetation shrouded in mist, cliffs and rocks of various shapes, and waterfalls cascading down the mountains, seemingly able to cure all worries. Gongtan Ancient Town, next to the Wujiang Gallery, is a 4A-level scenic spot. Built along the water, the wooden stilt houses offer the best views of the river. During the day, it's a commercial street for tourists; at night, the bright lights adorn the ancient town in a splendid attire, making it exceptionally beautiful. In Youyang, Chongqing, the Dieshi Flower Valley is filled with Muhlenbergia capillaris, swaying in the wind like a pink sea of flowers, creating a romantic atmosphere. The pink and rosy scenery seems to dispel all the regrets of autumn, making people believe that all good things will come unexpectedly. During the trip, each city has its unique scenery and customs. Whether we can appreciate and blend in varies from person to person, but the food is definitely not to be missed. During the seven-day National Day holiday, we started from Hunan, passed through Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Chongqing, and then returned to Hunan. This spontaneous trip, with its on-the-go planning, emphasized spontaneity and freedom. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, it didn't affect our enjoyment at all. We climbed mountains, crossed rivers, enjoyed the autumn scenery, admired the colorful foliage, stayed in hotels and guesthouses, tasted local delicacies, and visited many niche but beautiful attractions. It was undoubtedly a joyful and memorable journey.