Autumn Foliage Pursuit Guide｜Unlocking the Pinnacle of Chinese Aesthetics

1. Northern Danxia: The Imperial Poetry of Red Walls and Leaves (1) Beijing · Xiangshan Park As the "red maple card" of the imperial capital in autumn, Xiangshan from mid-October to early November is the peak of northern red leaves. Nearly ten thousand yellow hornbeams and maples blaze like a sea of fire; when the wind blows, red leaves flutter down like a natural Chinese ink painting in motion. It is recommended to enter from the East Gate, follow the exclusive Red Leaf Festival trail through the Qinzhen Hall to Shuangqing Villa, and climb to the top of Xianglu Peak to overlook the vast red waves and the Beijing cityscape in one frame—an excellent spot to capture the artistic conception of "layers of forest dyed." The secret to avoiding weekend crowds is to visit early on weekdays. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee in the courtyard of Xiangshan Hotel, watching sunlight filter through red leaves casting mottled shadows on the blue bricks, fully displaying the Chinese aesthetic of leaving blank space. Transportation is available via Metro Line 10 transferring to the Western Suburb Line directly; tickets must be booked in advance via the official WeChat account. Wearing comfortable sports shoes is better for hiking and sightseeing. (2) Xi’an · Tang Paradise Autumn in Tang Paradise hides the richest Tang Dynasty autumn charm, with ginkgo trees turning gold and maples burning red. The lotus lake’s shimmering waves reflect the flying eaves and dougong brackets, like a painting straight out of "The Longest Day in Chang’an." The side light at 4 p.m. on the opposite shore of Ziyun Tower is especially precious. Shooting with a wide-angle low perspective can capture ginkgo, flying eaves, and lake water in one frame, instantly turning it into an illustration scene from "Chang’an Thirty Thousand Miles." Rent a 10-yuan oil-paper umbrella in the second-floor corridor of the Ladies’ Pavilion, lean against the vermilion pillars for candid shots, and apply the "Moonlight" filter in Xingtu app to maximize the ancient atmosphere. After 7:30 p.m., the lantern street of the Royal Banquet Palace lights up; using a large aperture to blur the light spots can create a hazy beauty of lanterns reflecting on faces. It is recommended to enter after 4 p.m. on weekdays to avoid crowds and enjoy both the daytime autumn scenery and the "Tang Dynasty Dream Chase" water curtain light show. Don’t miss the Tang market mirror cakes outside the west gate and Zhang’s Roujiamo on Ziwu Road for authentic autumn street food. 2. Jiangnan Ink Wash: The Graceful Mood Hidden in Pavilions and Terraces (1) Suzhou · Tianping Mountain As one of the "Four Great Maple Viewing Spots in China," Tianping Mountain’s autumn embodies the unique gentle elegance of Jiangnan. Over 300 century-old maples gradually turn red by late October, forming a natural ink wash painting with ancient temples, clear springs, and ginkgo trees. Wangfeng Terrace is the core viewing spot where red maples, green bamboo, and ginkgo intertwine. Fallen leaves scatter on the bluestone path; sitting here with a cup of hot tea, one understands the poetic meaning of "Stopping the carriage to love the maple forest at dusk." A hidden tip is to enter before 6:30 a.m. to avoid the entrance fee and capture the stunning light filtering through red leaves. At this time, portrait photography requires almost no obstacle avoidance. During the early November Red Maple Festival, intangible cultural heritage performances and ancient-style markets add elegance. Transportation is available via Metro Line 1 transferring to Bus 662 directly. Remember to bring an umbrella for Jiangnan’s autumn rain. (2) Suzhou · Humble Administrator’s Garden The poetry of autumn in the Humble Administrator’s Garden lies in the interplay of light and shadow. The maple leaves in front of "With Whom to Sit in the Pavilion" and the ginkgo beside the "Thirty-six Mandarin Duck Hall" framed by white walls and black tiles create a picturesque scene. Early morning is the best time to visit when tourists are few, and sunlight filters through branches casting interlaced light and shadow patterns on carved window lattices, making one feel as if traveling through a thousand years. For autumn garden attire, simple and elegant colors are best. Moon white and light gray tones gently contrast with red maples and ginkgo. After touring, visit a nearby teahouse to listen to Pingtan storytelling; the soft Wu dialect paired with the sweet scent of osmanthus sugar porridge captures the delicate flavor of Jiangnan autumn. Note that mosquitoes are abundant in the garden; bring insect repellent and wear comfortable cloth shoes for a leisurely autumn stroll. 3. Western Oil Painting: The Magnificent Spirit of Mountains and Rivers Woven with Colors (1) Xinjiang · Kanas From late September to early October, Kanas is a masterpiece of nature’s oil painting. The birch forest turns golden, Kanas Lake shifts from green to emerald, and the smoke from Tuva wooden houses curls up, composing a panoramic "autumn fairy tale." The morning mist at Fairy Bay is most dreamy, with red leaves and birch trees reflected in the misty lake like a fairyland; at dusk, climb the Fish Viewing Platform to watch the sunset dye the lake golden, breathtakingly magnificent. It is recommended to stay in Hemu Village, accompany villagers to fetch water by the river early in the morning, watch red leaves fall on wooden rooftops, and experience the tranquility of being isolated from the world. If time permits, hike the "Hemu-Kanas" route, where golden birch and fiery shrubs line the way, and every shot is wallpaper-worthy. Travel advice: self-driving or joining a pure-play tour; prepare thick down jackets for temperatures between -5 to 10°C. Book accommodations 1-2 months in advance. (2) Sichuan · Daocheng Yading Autumn in Daocheng Yading is a secret treasure of the western Sichuan plateau, with golden poplar forests, fiery shrubs, blue lakes, and snowy mountains reflecting each other, each step a "heavenly feast for the eyes." The classic hiking route starts from Chonggu Temple, crosses golden meadows, approaches the Xianuoduoji Snow Mountain closely, and finally reaches Pearl Lake—where the water reflects red leaves and snowy peaks, an ultimate interpretation of Chinese landscape painting. The morning in Yading Village is unmissable, with sunlight casting golden mountains over red leaf forests and ever-changing light and shadow; at night, sitting in the guesthouse courtyard, you can see the romantic scene of stars and red leaves in one frame. Be mindful of altitude sickness; prepare oxygen tanks in advance. With temperatures between 0-15°C, down jackets and scarves are essential. 4. Autumn Pursuit Tips: Advanced Guide to Chinese Aesthetics (1) Dressing Aesthetics Ancient-style clothing fits best: for the flourishing Tang style, choose a chest-high ruqun to appear taller, or a horse-face skirt for a dignified posture; for a neutral style, wear a round-collar robe to show a spirited look. For daily wear, the Melrose color palette is recommended—brown with light coffee, wine red with dark gray—naturally blending with autumn scenery. Accessories should be simple; pearl hairpins, oil-paper umbrellas, and wooden hair sticks can add highlights without overpowering. (2) Photography Tips When framing architecture with autumn scenery, use a low angle to avoid crowds, letting flying eaves, red walls, and red leaves form layers; for portraits, use side light to outline contours, backlight for silhouettes to enhance mood, and Xingtu filters like "Moonlight" and "Ancient Capital" to strengthen the ancient style atmosphere. Early morning and dusk light are the softest, the golden hours for capturing autumn details. (3) Time Planning Northern red leaves peak from mid-October to early November; Jiangnan autumn scenery lasts until late November; western Kanas and Daocheng autumn scenes concentrate from late September to mid-October. It is recommended to travel on weekdays off-peak to avoid crowds and enjoy a purer autumn viewing experience. Autumn is brief and poetic. From northern red walls to Jiangnan pavilions, from western mountains and rivers to ancient city fireworks, each place hides the code of Chinese aesthetics. Pack your bags and take this guide to the mountains and seas, letting the autumn breeze unlock the most enchanting autumn scenes for you.