[Benxi, Liaoning | Step into China's Most Splendid Autumn Fairy Tale World, Maple Leaves That Are Instantly Legendary

[Benxi, Liaoning | Step into China's Most Splendid Autumn Fairy Tale World 🍁 The Ultimate Maple Leaf Experience]

Who says autumn can only be spent in Kyoto?
In Benxi, Liaoning,
I witnessed firsthand what it means to be—
"Every step a painting, every moment a fairy tale" 🍂

Mountains of red leaves burn like flames,
Golden birches intertwine with dark green pine forests,
Streams reflect the vibrant mountain colors,
This is not Northern Europe, nor Japan,
This is Benxi, China's Capital of Maple Leaves!

📍 Best time to enjoy autumn: Early October - Late October
✅ Recommended duration: 2-3 days
🚗 Suitable for self-driving or high-speed rail + chartered car (approx. 1.5h from Shenyang)

📸 Top 4 Must-Visit Attractions | Every frame looks like a movie scene

1️⃣ Huanren Grand Canyon · Fenglin Valley (Maple Forest Valley)
🔥 Known as "Northeast's Little Jiuzhaigou"
✔️ Climb to the observation deck to overlook the entire valley, with mountains covered in red and forests dyed in layers of color.
✔️ Streams flow through the forest, and fallen leaves form a golden carpet, rustling underfoot.
📷 Photo Tips:
Most ethereal during misty mornings, recommended to enter before 7:00 AM.
Wear bright-colored clothes (red/white/beige) for better photos.
Use a telephoto lens to compress the depth of the forest, creating an oil painting texture.

📌 Ticket: ¥60 Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00

2️⃣ Yanghugou Ecological Valley (Painter's Village)
🎨 Original village + stream + red leaves, a hidden gem for photography enthusiasts.
✔️ Many art students come here to sketch, known as a "natural palette."
✔️ Small bridges, flowing water, and homes; autumn leaves fall on rooftops, stone steps, and wooden fences, utterly healing.

📷 Must-take shots:
Wooden bridge crossing the stream, with a person in the center looking back.
The courtyard of an old house piled high with fallen leaves.
Backlit silhouettes in the misty morning.

📌 Free admission | Parking available | Recommended to visit on weekdays to avoid crowds

3️⃣ Guanmenshan National Forest Park
🏆 Benxi's "Maple Leaf Ancestor," frequently featured on CCTV!
✔️ Divided into South Gate and North Gate, recommended to take the South Gate route (classic Red Leaf Valley trail).
✔️ The trail is gentle, suitable for family outings, easy to walk and take photos.

🍁 Special experience:
"Maple King" ancient maple tree: A 300-year-old maple tree, entirely fiery red.
Red Leaf Tunnel: Maple trees on both sides intertwine to form an archway, stepping into it is pure romance.

📌 Ticket: ¥90 (peak season) Recommended visit duration: 3 hours+

4️⃣ Dashihu Scenic Area
💧 Five-tiered waterfall + mirror-like lake + red leaves surrounding the mountains, like a fairyland.
✔️ The lake water is crystal clear, reflecting the entire colorful forest; any casual shot is wallpaper-worthy.
✔️ Few people and quiet, suitable for friends who enjoy a peaceful autumn viewing.

📷 Key photo points:
Use water reflections for symmetrical compositions.
Capture dynamic blur effects when the waterfall cascades down.

📌 Ticket: ¥70 Approximately 1.5h drive from Benxi city center.

🧳 Outfit Suggestions | Full of autumn/winter vibes
✅ Women:
Off-white knit dress + khaki trench coat + scarf
Or burgundy wool coat + ankle boots, vintage and warm.
Wear a beret/beanie to add an artistic touch.

✅ Men:
Army green work jacket + jeans + hiking boots
Or camel cashmere sweater + dark gray coat, simple and sophisticated.

📷 Small props for extra points:
Holding a cup of hot coffee
Carrying a wicker bag or camera bag
Reading a book while sitting in a pile of fallen leaves

🍽️ Recommended Local Cuisine | Warming and authentic
1️⃣ Huanren Grilled River Fish | Crispy outside, tender inside, super fragrant with salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Xiaoshi Lamb Soup | Benxi's famous dish! Perfect with sesame flatbread.
3️⃣ Iron Pot Stewed Chicken | Cooked over a wood fire with potato noodles, steaming hot and super satisfying.
4️⃣ Suantangzi (Sour Noodles) | Northeastern specialty thick noodles, sour and appetizing.

💡 Travel Tips Summary
✅ Transportation:
Self-driving is most convenient (Shenyang/Dalian/Changchun are all reachable within a day).
High-speed rail to "Benxi Station" or "Huanren Station," then charter a car for sightseeing.

✅ Accommodation:
Recommended to stay in hot spring towns (e.g., Tanggou), B&Bs, or farmhouses.
Conditions are simple but clean, and you can experience the Northeastern heated brick bed (kang) 🔥.

✅ Precautions:
Large temperature difference between day and night, daytime around 10-20°C, nighttime close to 0°C, bring a thick coat!
Weak signal in mountainous areas, download offline maps in advance.
Do not pick leaves or disturb wild animals.

This autumn,
I stepped into a real-life "Spirited Away" forest,
Heard the wind blowing through the maple leaves,
Watched the sunlight scatter golden fragments through the treetops,
At that moment, time seemed to slow down.

If you also want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city,
Come to Benxi—
Autumn here,
Is not just scenery,
But a deep breath for the soul. 🍂