Wuyuan Shicheng—Red Maple Leaves Reflecting on Dark Tiles, Morning Mist Surrounding the Ancient Village

Wuyuan Shicheng is located in Dazhangshan Township, northwest of Wuyuan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. Scenic Features Dreamlike Morning Mist and Cooking Smoke: Shicheng is situated in a "small basin." In autumn, the large temperature difference between day and night easily forms stable morning mist. As the sun rises, the mist slowly ascends and blends with the villagers' cooking smoke, floating above Shicheng, making the Hui-style buildings appear faint and mysterious. The tall sweetgum trees are half in the mist and half in the air, creating a dreamlike fairyland. Fiery Red Maple Leaves: There are many ancient and famous trees inside and outside Cheng Village in Shicheng, among which over a hundred sweetgum trees are particularly eye-catching, each over 35 meters tall. Around November, the sweetgum trees turn bright red, far surpassing the height of the village roofs. From the hilltop of Dai Village, looking down at Cheng Village surrounded by red maples, with mist and smoke curling, it looks like a stunning painting. Hui-style Ancient Village Appearance: Shicheng consists of Cheng Village and Dai Village, both preserving typical Hui-style architecture with white walls and dark tiles arranged in an orderly manner. Ancient maples decorate the back of the village, combined with fiery red leaves and swirling morning mist, showcasing a unique rural charm. Whether strolling through the village or overlooking it from a small hillside outside, one can feel a strong sense of rustic antiquity. Best Viewing Time Season: It is recommended to visit from early November to early December, especially in mid to late November when the maple leaves are fiery red, and morning mist and cooking smoke are more common, allowing you to enjoy the most beautiful autumn scenery of Shicheng. Time of Day: The best time for photography is from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM. The sun usually rises between 7:00 and 7:15 AM. After sunrise, the morning mist and cooking smoke begin to drift, presenting different visual effects at the same spot. Tickets and Transportation Tickets: Single attraction ticket 60 RMB; three-attraction ticket (choose any three of the eleven attractions) 140 RMB, valid for 24 hours; all-access ticket (including all eleven attractions) 210 RMB, valid for 5 days. Transportation: You can drive and navigate to the Shicheng Red Maple Leaf Scenic Area; alternatively, take the village bus directly to Shicheng Scenic Area from the Old North Station inside Wugong Mall in Wuyuan County. Bus departure times are approximately 8:40 AM, 10:40 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:20 PM, subject to change based on the day’s situation. Tickets are purchased on board, and the bus departs when full. Accommodation There are many guesthouses available within the Shicheng Scenic Area. Visitors can also choose to camp inside the scenic area for a different maple viewing experience. During the peak maple viewing season, accommodation is relatively tight, so it is recommended to book in advance.