Qin River First Bend Autumn Viewing Guide

Late autumn in Zezhou, Jincheng, is a splendid painting created by both nature and culture. When the red leaves covering the mountains meet the thousand-year-old ancient villages and geological wonders, it forms an unforgettable autumn hiking route. This hiking guide will take you through the rosy red leaves of Qipan Village, explore the Jin merchants' history in Zhijiao Village, and finally stand atop the mountain to overlook the magnificent winding Qin River First Bend.

🍁 Qipan Ridge: Strolling through a red fantasy

The starting point of the hike can be Qipan Village in Nanling Town, Zezhou County. Here, autumn is a kingdom ruled by red leaves.

· Red Ocean: When you step onto Qipan Ridge, as far as the eye can see, the sumac trees have donned red attire, spreading from the mountain peak down to the valley. The reds here are layered—deep red, light red, orange-red, and orange-yellow intertwined, under the autumn sunlight, like a richly colored natural oil painting.
· Hiking Experience: The winding trail is surrounded by layers of autumn leaves. You can walk through the forest, with the rustling fallen leaves underfoot and red leaves within reach, every step feels like wandering inside a painting. This is a paradise for photography lovers; every shot is filled with autumn atmosphere.

📌 Practical Information

· Navigation: Navigate to "Xiyao Village Qipan Natural Village," then go about 500 meters further to reach the spot.
· Best Viewing Period: Late October to early November.

🏮 Zhijiao Village: Walking through ancient buildings and stories

Leaving the red leaf painting of Qipan Ridge, the next stop is Zhijiao Village, a traditional Chinese village rich in cultural heritage. Here, there is not only autumn scenery but also the prosperous old dreams frozen in the architecture.

🌊 Qin River First Bend: A magnificent symphony of mountains and water

The final destination and the geographical and visual climax of the trip is Qin River First Bend. Here, the Qin River forms an almost 360-degree magnificent loop as it is blocked by the Taihang Mountains.

· Climb High and Look Far: To appreciate the full view of the First Bend, you need to climb the viewing platform. Looking down, you will see the rushing Qin River like a green silk ribbon gently embracing a pagoda-shaped mountain. The mountains and river coexist; in autumn, the surrounding ridges are dressed in red, together with the winding river forming a natural mountain-water bonsai.
· Sea of Clouds and Cliff-Hanging Road: If you are lucky, you might encounter a rolling sea of clouds, with red leaves appearing and disappearing among the clouds, like being in a fairyland. Nearby, you can also experience the thrilling perspective of crossing the cliff-hanging road.

🗺️ Itinerary and Practical Guide

Item Recommendation
Recommended Route Qipan Village (red leaf viewing) → Zhijiao Village (ancient village visit, courtyard viewing) → Qin River First Bend (mountain and river scenery)
Transportation Suggested self-driving, set navigation points in order: Qipan Village, Zhijiao Village, Qin River First Bend Viewing Platform.
Hiking Gear Comfortable hiking shoes, drinking water, snacks, and a relaxed heart.
Food and Accommodation Zhijiao Village and Lizhai Township have farmhouses offering authentic local meals and lodging.
Best Season October, when the red leaves are at their peak and autumn scenery is most beautiful.

This hiking route, blending natural autumn colors and cultural history, can fulfill all your imaginations of Taihang Mountain in autumn. We hope you find your own autumn romance on this route.