Guangwu Mountain, the seriously underrated autumn scenery of Bashu! The mountains covered in red leaves rival Kyoto, but with far fewer people

In Sichuan, there is a place whose autumn colors are often overshadowed by the fame of Jiuzhaigou and Daocheng Yading—Guangwu Mountain. Whenever the autumn wind rises, this place turns into a sea of red leaves, vast in scale and long-lasting in color, earning the title of "Asia's Longest Red Carpet." ​​【Itinerary Planning: 2 Days 1 Night Red Leaf Route】​​ ​Day 1:​​ Arrive at Nanjiang County, where Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area is located. In the afternoon, visit Micang Mountain National Forest Park (part of Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area), focusing on the Natural Gallery, Black Bear Valley, and Xianglu Mountain. The autumn colors here are richly layered. ​Day 2:​​ Early morning head to Shibayue Pool Scenic Area. Here, the combination of waterfalls and red leaves represents the essence of Guangwu Mountain’s autumn colors. You need to hike along the stream to appreciate it, then return in the afternoon. ​​【Highlights Recommendation: Star Rating】​​ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Shibayue Pool: This is where water scenery and red leaves blend best. Eighteen connected waterfall pools, red leaves shading both banks, fallen leaves covering the boardwalk, and flowing water create a scene at every step that is breathtakingly beautiful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Black Bear Valley: The valley has clear streams and jagged rocks, with red leaves reflected in the water, creating a colorful spectacle. The hiking difficulty is low and the scenery is concentrated, making it perfect for photography. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Xianglu Mountain: Take the cable car up the mountain to overlook the sea of clouds over Guangwu Mountain and the vast expanse of red leaves. The wide view makes it the best spot for capturing grand scenes. ​​【Check-in Guide: Timeline Style】​​ ​Morning:​​ Soft light is ideal for close-up shots of red leaves and light and shadow in places like Black Bear Valley and the Natural Gallery. ​Noon:​​ Climb Xianglu Mountain to watch the sea of clouds rolling (if you’re lucky) and overlook the magnificent mountains and forests dyed in autumn colors. ​Afternoon:​​ Save time for Shibayue Pool, hiking downstream along the water. The afternoon sunlight slants through the forest, perfect for capturing the translucency of leaves and the silky effect of flowing water. ​Outfit Tips:​ With red and yellow backgrounds, wearing white, blue, or beige clothes will stand out. Hanfu is also very fitting for photos here. ​​【In-depth Experience Story】​​ At Shibayue Pool, I gave up rushing and walked slowly. The wooden boardwalk beneath my feet was covered with thick fallen leaves, crunching softly as I stepped. Sunlight filtered through the red and yellow leaves, casting mottled shadows on the leaf-covered stream banks. I sat for a long time by a pool called "Wedding Dress Waterfall," watching red leaves spin and fall onto the water, drifting slowly downstream. That ultimate tranquility and brilliance made the whole world seem to slow down, leaving only colors and light flowing. ​​【Practical Information✍🏻】​​ ​Best Time:​ Late October to mid-November each year is the peak season for red leaves. ​Tickets:​ Guangwu Mountain Scenic Area is large and divided into different zones; tickets must be purchased separately. It’s recommended to check in advance. ​Accommodation:​ You can stay in Nanjiang County town or nearby guesthouses in the scenic area. Be sure to book early during peak season. ​Weather:​ Mountain weather is changeable and the altitude is high, so prepare warm clothing and rain gear. If you want to enjoy a grand yet peaceful autumn red leaf feast, Guangwu Mountain is definitely worth a special visit.