A stunning nationwide century-old ginkgo check-in spot~ Weihai · Wendeng 2-day autumn trip

🍁 Autumn viewing guide for Wendeng District, Weihai, Shandong (2 days 1 night | Autumn in the mountain forest hot springs) > When the sea breeze of Jiaodong starts to turn cool, > The mountains and fields of Wendeng quietly turn golden and deep red. > Here, there are no overwhelming crowds, only the sound of ancient Zen, ancient ginkgo trees, forests dyed in layers of color, > And a warm pool waiting for you to unwind your fatigue on an autumn night. --- Wendeng · Why must you visit in autumn? ✅ 5 reasons to check in: 1. Century-old ginkgo trees stunning the nation — Juwu Mountain and Ciyun Temple’s century-old ancient ginkgo trees, with golden leaves like rain, are praised as "one of the most beautiful autumn scenes north of the Yangtze River." 2. The last tranquil mountain forest in the heart of Qilu — No noisy tourist spots, perfect for hiking, daydreaming, and listening to the wind and watching leaves. 3. China’s Hot Spring Capital — Autumn and winter are the best seasons for hot springs, with abundant natural geothermal resources to soothe body and mind. 4. Deep Taoist cultural heritage — Kunyu Mountain is the birthplace of the Quanzhen Taoism sect; autumn mountain climbing and Taoist visits offer a unique atmosphere. 5. Few people, beautiful scenery, high cost performance — Affordable accommodation, convenient transportation, authentic local food, ideal for a mini vacation. --- Suggested itinerary: 2 days 1 night · Relaxed slow pace version Recommended travel time - Best autumn viewing period: Mid-October to late November - Best ginkgo viewing period: Late October to mid-November (Juwu Mountain’s ancient ginkgo trees reach their peak) - Temperature reference: Daytime 14-19℃, nighttime drops to about 8℃, wear a jacket + light down coat --- 🚆 How to get there? - High-speed rail: Take the train to "Weihai Station" → transfer to bus K1/K5 or taxi to Wendeng city center (about 30 minutes) - Self-driving: About 2 hours from Qingdao/Yantai, about 3.5 hours from Jinan, highways are smooth along the way - Suggestion: Attractions are scattered, renting a car is more convenient (new energy vehicles can be rented near Weihai Station) --- Day 1: Juwu Mountain + Ciyun Temple | Step into a golden fairy tale world Morning: 📍 Juwu Mountain Scenic Area (Ticket ¥40 | Open 8:00-17:00) - Wendeng’s most famous autumn viewing spot, known for its strange rocks, ancient trees, and colorful forests - Autumn highlights: - Multiple century-old ginkgo trees in the mountain, one especially magnificent under the main peak, with a canopy like a golden umbrella - Maple, smoke tree, and oak trees interweave into patches, looking like burning flames from afar - Stone steps wind through the forest, fallen leaves cover the ground, footsteps echo softly, as if walking into a painting - Tips: - Low difficulty hiking, about 3 kilometers in total, suitable for elderly and children - Bring a camera! Morning sunlight filtering through leaves creates stunning light and shadow effects Noon: 🍴 Lunch · Wendeng local flavors - "Juwu Farmhouse Feast" (at the scenic area entrance) - Recommended dishes: Stewed chicken with mushrooms, stir-fried puluo leaf pancakes, sweet potato porridge - About 50 yuan per person, ingredients are home-grown and raised, authentic flavors Afternoon: 📍 Ciyun Temple (Free | 8:00-16:30) - A Tang Dynasty ancient temple hidden at the foot of the mountain, home to a 1,200-year-old ginkgo king - In late autumn, the whole tree shines golden, leaves cover the courtyard, and monks sweeping leaves is often captured by photographers as an "annual masterpiece" - Photo tips: - Scenic spot in front of the temple gate: ginkgo trees against red walls - Platform in front of the main hall: overhead shots of golden leaves covering the ground - Light is softest between 3-4 pm Evening: 🏨 Recommended accommodation · Hot spring healing type - "Tangbo Hot Spring Resort" (15 minutes by car from the city center) - Room type: Garden view room ¥520/night and up (includes double hot spring tickets) - Features: Natural sulfur hot springs, more than 20 indoor and outdoor pools, some with private baths - Autumn and winter hot springs can drive away cold, help sleep, and relieve fatigue, especially suitable for relaxing after long trips --- Day 2: Kunyu Mountain + Weihai Botanical Garden | Seek Tao in the mountains, trace autumn light Morning: 📍 Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park (Main peak Taibo Peak | Ticket ¥60) - Birthplace of Quanzhen Taoism, known as "the ancestor of the sea fairy mountains" - Autumn highlights: - Taibo Peak is 923 meters high; climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the autumn colors of the Jiaodong Peninsula mountains - Maple leaves on both sides of the mountain road turn red, pine and cypress remain evergreen, creating a contrast of warm and cool colors - You can visit "Yanxia Cave" along the way — the cultivation site of Wang Chongyang, with a desolate autumn atmosphere outside the cave, full of artistic conception - Tips: - You can drive to the mid-mountain and then hike about 40 minutes to the summit - Bring a thermos; free hot water is available on the mountain Noon: 🍴 Lunch · Farmhouse at the foot of Kunyu Mountain - "Mountain People’s Home" - Recommended: Wild vegetable buns, stewed free-range chicken, millet pancakes rolled with scallions - After eating, you can buy local specialties: honey, chestnuts, dried hawthorn Afternoon: 📍 Weihai Botanical Garden (Wendeng section | Free admission) - Actually located at the border of Wendeng and Huancui, convenient transportation - Autumn features: - Large areas of ginkgo and dawn redwood forests planted in the garden, clear reflections on the lake, very photogenic - Flat trails, suitable for walking and cycling - Often frequented by local families for picnics and kite flying, full of life atmosphere - Can be the last stop before returning, a relaxed ending --- Wendeng autumn limited scenic map Type Recommended spots Best time ------ ----------------- ------------- 🍂 Ancient ginkgo trees Juwu Mountain, Ciyun Temple Late October - mid-November 🍁 Colorful forest hiking Juwu Mountain, Kunyu Mountain Mid to late October 🏯 Ancient temple Zen Ciyun Temple, Shengjing Mountain All seasons, especially quiet in autumn 🛀 Hot spring healing Tangbo Hot Spring, Tianmu Hot Spring Best in autumn and winter 🚴‍♀️ City leisure Weihai Botanical Garden, Xiangshui River Park Suitable for daily visits --- Travel tips (special attention for autumn and winter) 1. Clothing guide: - Inner layer: thermal underwear - Middle layer: sweater/fleece - Outer layer: windproof jacket or light down coat - Shoes: comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes (mountain areas can be slippery) 2. Transportation reminder: - Attractions are scattered, it is recommended to rent a car or charter a day tour in advance (about 300 yuan/day) - Bus frequency is low, not suitable for travelers in a hurry 3. Photography tips: - Use a wide-angle + telephoto combo for ginkgo shots - Use backlighting to capture leaf translucency - Use a tripod for slow-motion shots of monks sweeping leaves at the temple 4. Environmental protection tips: - Do not pick fruits or carve trees - Please bring your own towel and slippers in hot spring areas (some places do not provide disposable items) --- Summary: Spending an autumn day alone in Wendeng, worth it this way > In the morning, wake up to the bell sound at Ciyun Temple calling the thousand-year-old ginkgo; > During the day, climb to the top of Kunyu Mountain to watch the clouds roll by; > In the evening, soak in a warm pool counting stars; > At night, fall asleep with the mountain breeze, as if returning to your childhood hometown. This is not a trip chasing internet fame, but an autumn practice returning to your inner self. --- 📌 One sentence summary of Wendeng’s autumn beauty: Half is the quietness of fallen leaves returning to their roots, half is the earthly warmth rising from hot springs.