Beijing’s Best-Kept Secret for Maple Viewing! Say No to Crowded Xiangshan! Free 40-Minute Hike to the Summit!

Beijing’s Best-Kept Secret for Maple Viewing! Say No to Crowded Xiangshan! Free 40-Minute Hike to the Summit! Stop squeezing into Xiangshan! Every late October, savvy locals head to Fangshan — the “wild maple viewing trail” hidden in Shuiyu Folk Village is the ultimate autumn gem! It’s free, just a 1.5-hour drive, and only a 40-minute hike to the top. Every photo you take looks like a masterpiece ready to blow up your social feed. Hesitate and you’ll have to wait until next year! Here’s the key info for the lazy ones: free! Few people! 40 minutes to the summit! But don’t think it’s all easy with no surprises — this trail is full of unexpected delights! Navigate to “Shuiyu Folk Village,” then follow signs to “Maple Leaf Bridge.” When you see the bridge, turn right onto a narrow path — pay attention here! The path is very narrow, so find a spot to let others pass. At every fork, turn right. Trust me, just follow this and you won’t get lost! Don’t panic when you pass an abandoned scenic area — you’re not off track. Keep going for another kilometer and you’ll see the trail entrance. That feeling of “light at the end of the tunnel” will instantly boost your excitement! At first, the trail might feel a bit discouraging — the abandoned area’s facilities are old, some wooden boards are loose, so step carefully. Hold hands tightly with elderly and kids. But after just 10 minutes uphill, the scenery changes dramatically! The mountainside is covered in red leaves like a spilled palette, stretching from the base to the summit. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting golden-red shadows on the trail. Looking back, the whole mountain is a riot of colors. When the wind blows, red leaves flutter down like a famous autumn scene from the drama “Goblin.” You won’t stop taking photos, and every shot is social media-ready without any editing! The view from the top is even more amazing! No obstructions, under blue skies and white clouds, the red forest spreads out like waves, with distant villages dotting the landscape like a painting. If you bring your pet, let it run through the leaves — every candid shot is heartwarming. If you’re with your partner, take a backlit hand-holding photo at the summit — the atmosphere will be perfect, and your social media likes will skyrocket! A friendly reminder: don’t come on rainy days! The mountain path gets slippery and there’s a risk of landslides. Travel light — the slope isn’t long but a bit steep, so heavy backpacks will tire you out. Most importantly, this is an undeveloped scenic area with no staff, so safety must come first! Now is the best time to visit — from late October to mid-November, the leaves are at their reddest. Miss it now and you’ll have to wait a whole year! When are you planning to go? Share your “autumn maple viewing plan” in the comments. The friend with the most likes will get a private “hidden photo spots guide” for the trail, helping you capture maple photos no one else can! Don’t hesitate — this autumn, head to Shuiyu Folk Village and fill your album with the most beautiful red leaves!