Maofeng Autumn Whisper: Healing the Soul in a Golden Secret Realm

🌳 Stepping into Lingnan’s Golden Fairy Tale While Guangdong’s summer stubbornly lingers with its residual warmth, I stepped into Maofeng Forest Farm in Nanxiong, Shaoguan at the tail end of November. As the car turned onto the scenic road, my phone signal suddenly switched to “Welcome to the Forest Farm” — it turns out there’s a hidden 700-acre ginkgo secret realm here. After paying a 50 yuan entrance fee and passing through the archway, I was unexpectedly embraced by two rows of 30-meter-tall ginkgo trees. Sunlight filtered through the golden leaves, weaving flowing light spots on the bluestone path, making me feel as if I had fallen into the magical forest of Harry Potter. “Maofeng Forest is rich with autumn’s charm, golden brilliance with endless rhythm.” Local forest ranger Old Li said this line was left by a Qing Dynasty poet who traveled here. Standing now in the middle of the Golden Avenue, watching the fallen leaves flutter down like fragments of gold, I finally understood what “morning mist lightly shrouds the fairyland” means — when the morning fog hasn’t lifted, the entire ginkgo forest is immersed in a milky haze, and the distant dawn red of the dawn redwoods looks like God spilled a palette. 📸 8 Secret Photo Spots 1️⃣ Middle section of Golden Avenue (9:00-10:00 backlit shooting): Have your companion stand between two ginkgo trees; when leaves fall, use a slow shutter to capture a “golden rain curtain.” The light and shadow on the bluestone path act as a natural filter. 2️⃣ Xiaofangping Swing Frame: Under the low-growing ginkgo trees hides a wooden swing. Swinging in a cream-colored long dress, the skirt dances with the golden leaves. Using portrait mode on your phone blurs the background, instantly turning you into a Korean drama heroine. 3️⃣ Deer Habitat Feeding Platform: Spend 20 yuan to buy deer biscuits; the deer will affectionately nuzzle your palm. Behind you is a ginkgo forest fading from yellow to green. Remember to squat down to shoot for a slimmer face. 4️⃣ Lake Viewing Platform Boardwalk: Overlooking the lake and mountains, use the ginkgo branches as the foreground. The golden reflection on the water and the deep blue sky create a stunning color contrast. ⚠️ Pitfall Tips: After 10 a.m. on weekends, tour groups gather in crowds. It’s recommended to stay in a homestay inside the scenic area and enjoy the entire Golden Avenue alone at 7 a.m. 🍂 One-Day Leisure Route Map ▫️ 07:30 Watch the morning mist from the terrace of Xinglin Mountain Residence (homestay includes breakfast with freshly ground soy milk + Nanxiong cured meat buns) ▫️ 09:00 Shoot empty shots on Golden Avenue (wear light-colored clothes for better photos) ▫️ 11:00 Picnic at Xiaofangping (bring your own picnic cloth + thermos, drink hot black tea under the ginkgo trees) ▫️ 14:00 Feed the deer at Deer Habitat (after 15:00 the deer will hide in the forest once full) ▫️ 16:30 Sunset shooting at the panoramic waterfall viewing platform (redwoods and ginkgo trees in one frame, set color temperature to 5000K for warmth) ▫️ 18:00 Join the Ginkgo Culture Festival bonfire party at Tonggu Square (held every Saturday night in November) 🏡 Sleep in the Arms of a Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo When I found Xinglin Mountain Residence on Trip.com, I was immediately struck by the description “open the window to see golden leaves.” This homestay hidden deep in the forest farm was converted from an 80s logging camp. The natural wood furniture matches the fireplace, and the hostess decorates the walls with ginkgo leaf specimens. The mountain view room I stayed in on the second floor has a private terrace. In the evening, brewing a pot of local white hair tea while watching the sunset gild the entire ginkgo forest with gold edges, and the distant village smoke curls up, I suddenly understood why Tao Yuanming said, “After long confinement in the cage, I return to nature.” 💰 Cost-Effective Choices: Xinglin Mountain Residence (400 yuan/night including breakfast): 5-minute walk to Golden Avenue, owner can arrange forest guides Forest Farm Guesthouse (180 yuan/night): Old-style red brick building, clean shared bathrooms, suitable for budget travelers Xiaofangping Campsite (bring your own gear, 80 yuan/person): Great for shooting ginkgo starry skies at night, reservation required via the scenic area’s official WeChat 🦃 Autumn Limited Delicacies At the state-run restaurant in the scenic area, the hostess recommended the “Three Ginkgo Treasures”: 1️⃣ Ginkgo Stewed Native Chicken: Local free-range chicken + fresh ginkgo nuts slow-cooked, milky soup color, the slight bitterness of ginkgo is balanced by the chicken broth’s sweetness, you can drink three bowls without getting tired. 2️⃣ Nanxiong Cured Meat Platter: Mountain-smoked sausages steamed to a glossy shine, the fatty parts translucent, paired with Wuchang rice you can eat two big bowls. 3️⃣ Stir-fried Ginkgo Nuts: Shelled ginkgo nuts stir-fried with green peppers, texture like chestnuts but sweeter. Remember not to eat too much (limited to 20 servings daily). 💡 Hidden Eating Tip: Buy Vietnamese drip coffee on Zhongyue Style Street, pour it into a thermos, and bring it under the ginkgo trees. Hot coffee with falling leaves maximizes the healing vibe. 📜 Handwritten Ginkgo Postcards Before leaving, I bought a set of ginkgo leaf postcards at the visitor center and wrote: “Here, time is meant to be wasted — watching a leaf turn from green to yellow, waiting for a gust of wind to shake down golden light from the trees, listening to locals tell old forest farm stories.” Maybe we all need a place like this: no anxiety about trendy check-ins, only the quiet flow of nature’s rhythm. When the last ginkgo leaf fell on my notebook, I suddenly understood what “the world suddenly grows late, mountains and rivers already in autumn” means — some healing truly hides in unexpected golden secret realms. 🚌 Complete Transportation Guide ▫️ Self-drive: 3.5 hours from Guangzhou (South China Expressway → Daguang Expressway → S342, scenic area parking 10 yuan/day) ▫️ Public transport: Take high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Shaoguan East Station (1.5 hours), transfer to Nanxiong bus station shuttle bus (1 hour/25 yuan), then taxi to the forest farm (20 yuan) ▫️ Scenic area shuttle bus: 20 yuan/person, stops on demand, recommended for those with low stamina (20-minute walk from Golden Avenue to Deer Habitat) 📌 5 Frequently Asked Questions 1️⃣ Best viewing period? — November 20 to December 5, after cold air passes, ginkgo yellowing rate reaches 90% 2️⃣ Need to bring a tripod? — Absolutely! Needed for morning mist and slow shutter leaf shots 3️⃣ How far in advance to book accommodation? — 15 days in advance on weekends, 3 days on weekdays 4️⃣ Are there charging stations? — Two fast chargers at the visitor center, homestays offer free cable connections 5️⃣ Can pets be brought? — Small dogs must be leashed, Deer Habitat area is off-limits