More stunning than the grasslands! The autumn colors of Wudaogou are incredibly romantic

Chengde's autumn secret! Enter the oil painting world of Wudaogou for free, miss it and wait a whole year When it comes to autumn viewing in Chengde, don’t just focus on the popular spots! At the border of Xilongtou Township and Laowopu Township in Weichang County lies a free-entry autumn secret—Wudaogou Scenic Area. From late September to mid-October is its most beautiful season. Visiting now means you can catch the richest autumn atmosphere in this mountain forest. Even before entering the core of the scenic area, the winding mountain road along the way is already breathtaking. The birch trees on both sides of the road have turned golden yellow, the maple leaves are fiery red, and the deep green spruces are scattered throughout, as if someone carefully spilled a palette of colors. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the road. When the wind blows, leaves fall softly, sometimes drifting into your hair. Even your breath carries the fresh sweetness of the woods. The thick layer of fallen leaves underfoot crunches with a soothing rustle—the most healing sound of autumn. Compared to the vastness of the Inner Mongolian grasslands, Wudaogou’s autumn has a more delicate layering. Red maples, yellow birches, green spruces, and orange-red Mongolian oaks overlap in layers. Standing anywhere to take a photo, the scene looks like a stunning desktop wallpaper. You don’t need to search for the perfect angle; every shot looks like an oil painting masterpiece. The activities here are also very flexible. Self-driving is highly recommended: along the mountain road, you can encounter surprises anywhere—perhaps a babbling roadside waterfall, a leisurely herd of cattle and sheep, or a thriving patch of colorful leaves. You can stop to take photos whenever you find a scene that moves you. There’s no fixed route, making it free and comfortable. If you want a panoramic view, be sure to climb the Wanghuo Tower. From the highest point, you can see the scenery of Duolun County in Inner Mongolia. The wide view is so breathtaking it will leave you in awe. But before you go, keep these tips in mind: - The temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains is huge. You might only need a single layer during the day, but a thick jacket is necessary in the early morning and evening. Don’t forget to bring enough clothes; - There are no shops on the mountain, so be sure to prepare food and hot water in advance to avoid getting hungry on the way; - There are so many beautiful scenes that you might keep taking photos non-stop. Bring enough power banks so your phone doesn’t run out of battery and spoil your fun; - You might get off the car to explore anytime along the way, so wearing comfortable shoes is very important. Wudaogou’s autumn has none of the crowds of popular scenic spots—only wind, trees, sunshine, and colorful romance filling the mountains, like a painting come to life from a dream. Now that autumn is nearing its end, if you want to attend this limited-time autumn date, you’d better hurry! Also, for photography, it’s best to shoot from noon to 2 p.m. when the light is softest. Backlit shots of the birch forest can even capture a gentle halo effect~