Autumn is a beautiful time in China, with fall color displays appearing across the countryside. Colorful autumn leaves grace the mountainsides in Beijing, Sichuan, and other areas of China. And with recent parks opening up across the Chinese countryside, viewing colorful fall leaves in China has never been easier.
Autumn Foliage Displays Around Beijing
Perhaps the best example of fall foliage near Beijing is at Badaling National Park, also the site of a part of the Great Wall of China. The designated Red Leaves Scenic Area of the park opened in 2006 and features red and yellow leaves scattered across the mountainside amidst backdrop views of the Great Wall itself. Being at a higher elevation than Beijing proper, the fall leaf season here is generally from late September to late October. Some of the trees that change color at the park include green cypresses, red maples and Chinese sweet gums.
Fragrant Hills Park in eastern Beijing is another popular option for autumn foliage viewing. The prime time for this color display is early October to mid November. Maple trees, persimmon trees and smoke trees are the primary showpieces here. The hills are dotted with abandoned temples and a cable car that takes visitors to the highest peak of the park.
Mangshan National Forest Park, located about 35 km from downtown Beijing, is another famous area for viewing fall leaves. Maple, torch trees, and gingko trees all populate this park, and since they change color at slightly different times, this allows for a longer autumn foliage viewing period.
Viewing Fall Color Displays in Sichuan
Jiuzhaigou, a mountain area in Sichuan, is one of the prime places in China to view fall leaves. As a valley of over 100 lakes, Jiuzhaigou is considered especially beautiful in autumn when the red, orange and gold trees reflect off of blue lake surfaces and clear blue skies. Fall is also considered prime time for animal watching in Jiuzhaigou, and many visitors come to see the pandas who live in the area.
Other popular places that visitors to Sichuan go to see fall foliage include Miyaluo Scenic Area, Hailuogou Glacier Park, and Wolong Natural Reserve.
Yellow Mountain's Colorful Autumn Trees
Located in Anhui province, Mt Huangshan, also known as Yellow Mountain, produces vibrant displays of fall color in September and October. Waterfalls, exposed limestone and strangely twisted pine trees give Yellow Mountain unique natural setting in which the changing leaves of fall practically shine. Most of the trees at Huangshan are maples, and their fall color intermixes with local evergreen spruces and pines.
Fall color is a spectacular sight in China, and the autumn season is a great time to travel around the country enjoying the weather, viewing the sights and watching the activity of fall harvest in the countryside.
Related Articles:
Viewing Cherry Blossoms in China - For springtime visitors to China, spectacular displays of cherry trees in bloom bring a cheerful beauty to parks across the country.
Visit the Old Summer Palace in Beijing - Once a royal retreat and now home to ruins after its destruction in 1860, this tranquil park makes for a lovely visit in any season.
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