The autumn colors of Haiyang captivate the heart, where mountains and sea are dyed gold, and maple leaves kiss the waves

🍁 Yantai, Shandong · Haiyang Autumn Viewing Guide While most people are still chasing the red leaves in the mountains, Haiyang’s autumn has quietly woven the "beauty of mountains and sea" into poetry. Here, you’ll find not only the rare coastal autumn scenery of the north but also hills ablaze with color, ancient ginkgo villages thousands of years old, apple-scented valleys, and golden corridors hidden in the countryside. Fewer people, beautiful scenes, no competition—just breathtakingly moving beauty. 📅 1. Best Time to View Autumn Late October to mid-November Ginkgo reaches its peak yellow in early November, while maple leaves and coastal reeds last until the end of November. The climate is cool and pleasant, perfect for a slow, immersive experience. 🍂 2. Six Must-Visit Autumn Spots Zhaohu Mountain National Forest Park | The Pinnacle of Jiaodong Autumn Colors Haiyang’s most famous natural oxygen bar, with a forest coverage rate of 92%. In autumn, layers of maple, smoke tree, and oak trees burn like flames. Climb the main peak, Tianzhu Peak, to overlook the colorful forests and the distant coastline merging in a spectacular view. 🌄 Highlights: Morning mist through the forest, stream stone bridges, wild macaque habitat 🎫 Admission: 50 RMB, free for seniors over 60 🚘 Recommended to drive: Navigate to "Zhaohu Mountain Scenic Area South Gate," convenient parking Phoenix Ridge Ginkgo Valley | A Fairy Tale World of a Thousand Golden Leaves A hidden ginkgo secret in the northern mountains of Haiyang, with over a hundred acres of contiguous ginkgo forest. In late autumn, the golden leaves carpet the ground thickly, and a gentle breeze scatters them like golden butterflies. 📸 Must-shoot: Backlit walking on forest paths, children running and tossing leaves 📍 Location: Within Facheng Town, about 30 km from the city center, car hire recommended Coastline Around Qianliyan Island | The Lonely Aesthetic of Reeds Kissing the Waves Though you cannot land on the island, from the seaside of Xin’an Town, Qianliyan Island appears faintly in the autumn mist. Large reed beds sway with the wind, mingling with crashing waves to form a vast, desolate painting. At dusk, the silhouettes are striking. 🌊 Activities: Photography, daydreaming, listening to the sea’s whispers 🚗 Transport: Take the rural bus to "Xin’an Town," then walk to the tidal barrier Panshidian Town Apple Orchard | Sweet Moments After the Autumn Harvest One of the core production areas of the "Hometown of Chinese Apples." After the October harvest, the orchard remains lively. The remaining Red Fuji apples glisten under the autumn sun, farmers dry fruit slices, and the air is filled with sweet fragrance and the scent of smoke. 🍏 Experiences: Adopt a fruit tree, make apple crisps, drink hot apple ginger tea 📍 Recommended villages: Dujiaya Village, Xuejia Village area Autumn Forest Near Zuiziqian Ancient Tomb Site | The Quiet Beauty Soaked in History A little-known cultural relic site surrounded by pristine secondary forest. In autumn, smoke trees turn red, birches golden, and ancient stone tablets peek through, as if conversing across millennia. Perfect for travelers who love a deep blend of culture and nature. 🧭 Tip: No formal scenic development, ideal for hiking exploration 🚶 Route: About 2 km walk along the country road from Panshidian Town Haiyang 10,000-Meter Beach Park | Romantic Coastal Line in Autumn Even in autumn, the beach remains wide and clean. Stroll at dusk and watch the sunset cast golden light on the sand. The plane trees and ginkgo gradually turn yellow, the sea breeze is cool but not biting, and fishing boats silhouetted in the distance create a gentle scene that’s hard to leave. 🚴‍♀️ Activities: Cycling, kite flying, sunset portrait photography 🌆 Best time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM 🍱 3. Haiyang Autumn Exclusive Delicacies Seafood dumpling soup + grilled mackerel: A warming combo for the cool autumn, recommended at local fishermen’s inns Chestnut stewed chicken: Made with chestnuts picked from local mountains, fragrant and appetizing Apple honey drink: Freshly squeezed juice with honey, served warm to soothe lungs and relieve fatigue Sweet potato jujube: Traditional handmade snack, soft, sweet, loved by all ages 📸 4. Photo Tips Zhaohu Mountain: Shoot the misty colorful forest in the early morning, use telephoto to compress spatial layers Phoenix Ridge Ginkgo Valley: Wear white or red long dresses, capture falling leaves from low angles Beach Park: Use boardwalk leading lines for composition, paired with sunset silhouettes Apple Orchard: Shoot red fruit on branches backlit, blur the autumn forest background for better shots 🚗 5. Recommended Itinerary (2 days 1 night) Day 1: View colorful forests at Zhaohu Mountain → Lunch (farmhouse feast at the foot of the mountain) → Experience Panshidian apple orchard → Stay overnight at a boutique guesthouse in Haiyang city Day 2: Visit Phoenix Ridge Ginkgo Valley → Afternoon stroll on the 10,000-meter beach to watch the sunset → Return trip This autumn, don’t just focus on the red leaves of Xiangshan. Come to Haiyang and see how mountains and sea compose an autumn symphony— With magnificent forests ablaze, The vastness of waves crashing on rocks, And the most authentic Chinese autumn hidden in the countryside.