Miss it and wait another year! I encountered the entire autumn at Yingshan Red Leaf Valley

📍 Location: Yingshan Red Leaf Valley, Yangliuwan Town, Yingshan County, Huanggang City, Hubei

This weekend, I drove two hours just to keep an appointment with the autumn colors—Yingshan Red Leaf Valley. I hesitated before setting off, wondering if it was worth the trip, but once I truly stepped into this valley, all hesitation turned into amazement: this isn’t just a red leaf valley, it’s an autumn fairy tale hidden in the Dabie Mountains!

🚗 How to get there?
From Wuhan, take the Wuying Expressway, about 1.5 hours to the Yingshan exit. Navigate to "Longtan River Reservoir" or "Red Leaf Valley Viewing Platform." After turning onto the county road, the scenery gradually becomes more beautiful. The mountain road has many curves but is smooth, and ordinary cars can handle it easily. There are several scenic parking spots along the way, perfect for stopping to take photos and enjoy the journey.

📸 Best viewing period:
The golden period is from mid to late October through early November every year. This year, the temperature is just right, and the red leaves are evenly colored. Currently (late October) is the peak of their beauty! Maple leaves turn from yellow to red, Chinese tallow trees glow with a purplish-red hue, and evergreen pines and cypresses complement each other, like a flowing oil painting.

🎫 Tickets & opening status:
Free! Free! Free! Important things said three times. Currently, Red Leaf Valley remains a pristine natural scenic area with no entrance fee and no time restrictions. It’s truly a “hidden gem” destination.

🌿 My real experience:

1. The “Aerial Gallery” that lasts forever
When the car climbed the circular mountain road, I couldn’t help but stop by the roadside just to take another look—the entire valley covered in red leaves, the Longtan River Reservoir embedded like jade, sunlight shining on the treetops, the whole forest seemed to be burning. Especially at the “viewing platform,” the wide-open view makes every shot a social media hit!

2. The healing feeling of stepping on fallen leaves
Getting out and walking along the path deep into the valley, thick layers of fallen leaves crunch underfoot, and the air is filled with a faint scent of grass and wood. Occasionally, red leaves drift down like a gentle rain. At that moment, the city’s noise and work stress all melted away in this peaceful autumn scene.

3. Few people, beautiful scenery, no fighting for photo spots
Compared to crowded popular spots, here visitors are sparse, mostly locals or photography enthusiasts on road trips. You can leisurely find angles, pose, or even dance spontaneously on the spacious viewing platform without worrying about interruptions.

4. Added historical charm, more than just leaves
Locals say this was once a stronghold for ancient righteous armies. You can still see the ruins of the “guerrilla village” walls and flagpole stones. Standing on the ancient site, overlooking the sea of red leaves and feeling the mountain breeze, it’s like traveling through time, sensing the heroic spirit of battles long past.

5. Stop by a farmhouse for a hearty local meal full of rustic charm
By evening, we ate a genuine “wild mountain feast” at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain: native chicken soup, stir-fried mountain bamboo shoots, smoked meat with forest frogs... fresh ingredients, rich flavors, all for less than 60 yuan per person, leaving us fully satisfied. After dinner, sitting in the courtyard drinking tea under a sky full of stars—that’s how life should be.

✅ Why you must visit Yingshan Red Leaf Valley at least once?

- ✅ Great value: free scenic area + low expenses, perfect for family trips, couples, or friends taking photos.
- ✅ Autumn-exclusive beauty: miss it and you’ll have to wait another year, don’t let autumn 2025 slip away with regrets.
- ✅ A healing trip away from the hustle and bustle: no commercial atmosphere, just pure nature and tranquility.
- ✅ 100% photo-worthy: red leaves, streams, mountains, ancient villages—every frame is worth keeping.

📌 Tips:
- Recommended to visit in the morning or before dusk for the best light.
- Wear comfortable shoes; some sections require walking.
- Bring a camera or phone with full battery!
- Drive slowly on mountain roads; some curves are sharp.

This autumn, don’t stay home. Come to Yingshan Red Leaf Valley, let your eyes travel and your soul be healed. You’ll find the most beautiful scenery has always been on the road.