Zen Temple Ginkgo Golden Rain ~ Longkou Autumn Luxury Tour

🍁 Yantai, Shandong · Longkou City Autumn Foliage Viewing Guide When the autumn breeze sweeps across the southern shore of Bohai Bay, Longkou, a low-key and beautiful coastal town, quietly dons a golden-red woven robe. Here you’ll find the golden ginkgo leaves of a thousand-year-old ancient temple, the colorful layers of mountain terraces, and tranquil villages facing the sea. Not crowded, not noisy, just the gentle warmth and poetry of an entire autumn. 📅 1. Best Time to Enjoy Autumn Late October to mid-November At this time, the ginkgo leaves turn fully golden, the red leaves reach their peak, and the weather is pleasant—perfect for a slow, deep experience. 🍂 2. Six Must-Visit Autumn Spots Nanshan Zen Temple | The Millennium Ginkgo “Golden Rain” Spectacle Longkou’s most famous autumn landmark! Inside the temple stands a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree reaching 30 meters tall. In late autumn, the tree is covered in golden leaves, with fallen leaves like a carpet. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, resembling a pure Buddhist land. 📸 Must-shoot: The “Golden Avenue” in front of the ancient temple, monks sweeping leaves 🚗 Transportation: Take bus No. 5 from downtown directly to “Nanshan Scenic Area” stop 💡 Tips: Enter before 7 AM for fewer people and soft light—perfect for photography Laishan Autumn Charm | A Hidden Colorful Forest Secret A little-known pristine mountain area located southwest of Longkou. The hillside is interspersed with smoke trees, maples, and oaks, looking like a spilled palette from afar. Autumn often brings light mist, creating a fairyland atmosphere. 🚶‍♀️ Recommended route: Hike from Wazi Village into the mountains, about 1 hour to the viewing platform 📷 Great for shooting: Aerial shots, forest paths, morning mist and light Qiduo Island | Autumn Solitude Facing the Sea A narrow sandbar stretching into Bohai Sea, where autumn reeds sway in the wind. At the end of the boardwalk stands a quiet lighthouse and waves crashing on the shore. A few color-changing locust trees stand proudly by the sea, evoking strong emotions. 🌊 Activities: Evening strolls, listening to the waves, silhouette photography 🚌 Transportation: Take the Longkou to Beima Town shuttle bus, get off at “Qimu Island,” then walk 10 minutes Miaohou Town Apple Orchard | A Fairy Tale World After Harvest Longkou is known as the “Hometown of China’s Quality Apples.” After the October harvest season, the orchard remains lively. Under the autumn sun, the red apples left on branches contrast with yellowing leaves, farmers dry fruit slices, and the air is filled with sweet fragrance. 🍏 Experiences: Adopt a fruit tree, make apple chips, drink hot apple tea 📍 Location: Around Tangjiapo Village, Miaohou Town, searchable as “Longkou Apple Theme Park” Huangshanguan Ancient Post Road | The Only “Northern Water Town” Autumn in Jiaodong Remnants of a Ming and Qing dynasty post station, with blue bricks, gray tiles, small bridges, and flowing water. In autumn, climbing vines turn red on the walls, persimmons hang from old courtyards, and every step reveals a scene reminiscent of Jiangnan but with northern simplicity and depth. ☕ Recommendation: Have a cup of hot ginger tea at the “Post Station Family” teahouse and watch leaves fall into the stream 🚗 Driving tip: About 20 minutes from downtown Longhu Wetland Park | Autumn for Migratory Birds in the City From late autumn to early winter, large numbers of migratory birds stop here. At sunset, egrets skim the golden water, reed flowers flutter like snow, and ginkgo and torch trees on the shore shine together, creating a beautiful harmony of movement and stillness. 🦢 Highlights: Flying flocks of wild geese, sunset reflections, reed maze 🚲 Recommended to bike around the lake, about 5 kilometers in total 🍱 3. Longkou Autumn Exclusive Foods Chestnut Braised Chicken: Slow-cooked with local chestnuts and free-range chicken, fragrant and appetizing Seafood Geda Soup: A must-have for chilly autumn, warms the stomach and drives out cold, recommended at Donghai Fisherman’s House Roasted Sweet Potato + Hot Soy Milk: The happiness of street stalls, especially fragrant at night markets Apple Candied Haw: Unique to Longkou! Made with Red Fuji apples, sweet, sour, and crisp 📸 4. Photo Tips Nanshan Zen Temple: Wear plain-colored Hanfu or zen-style long dresses, shoot falling leaves in flight Huangshanguan: Shoot low-angle reflections of stone bridges, compose with red persimmons Qiduo Island: Use telephoto lens to capture lighthouse and flying birds in one frame Apple Orchard: Shoot red fruit backlit on branches, blur the autumn forest background 🚗 5. Recommended Itinerary (2 Days 1 Night) Day 1: View ginkgo at Nanshan Zen Temple → Lunch (Nanshan vegetarian meal) → Huangshanguan Ancient Post Road → Overnight at a boutique guesthouse in Longkou city Day 2: Experience Miaohou Apple Orchard → Lunch with farmhouse dishes → Birdwatching at Longhu Wetland → Return in the evening This autumn, don’t just go to crowded popular cities. Come to Longkou and step into an autumn scroll gently brushed by sea breeze— With the zen of a thousand-year-old temple, the brilliance of ten thousand acres of forest, and the tranquility and richness of small-town life. 📌 Save this guide, invite family or close friends, and start a healing autumn trip! ✅ Warm tips: Some mountain areas have weak signals; it’s recommended to download offline maps in advance; large temperature differences between morning and evening, please bring a windproof jacket.