Best places to see autumn leaves in and around Guangdong

Mid-October is the most beautiful time of the year for many people, as it is right on the brink of autumn. Some residents, however, insist that Guangdong province has only two seasons - summer and winter, and that the province doesn't experience autumn; this, however, is not true. Autumn is not just felt in the climate, but can also be seen. Here are some of the most beautiful autumn locales in Guangdong!

Xiakeng, Baiyun Mountain

Here lies a section of maple trees which are both the largest and oldest maple woods in all of downtown Guangzhou. Every November, maples trees here gradually turn red and the place glistens with a romantic and charming glow. The best time for appreciating the red leaves is between 8-10 am and 2-5 pm, as it is said that the leaves are the reddest at that time of day.

Address: Opposite Guangzhou Stadium, Baiyun district

Transportation: Take a bus to Guangzhou Stadium stop (bus lines 38, 66, 76, 127, 223,245, 265, 529, 664, 706, 805), then go to an abandoned oil station. There is a road sign to Baoyunlou straight along the road. Turn right to Baoyunlou. You will reach the site by after a 200 meters walk.

South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences

South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences is dotted with plots of cypress trees that were introduced from the southeastern United States in 1959. The most beautiful time of the year is from November to January, with the cypress tree becoming crimson in hue and far more reflective in the water.

Address: No 1190 Tianyuan Road, Tianhe district

Transportation: Take Metro line 6 to Changban Station, then transfer to Bus 775 to the Botanical Garden Station.

Dafu Mountain Forest Park

Compared with the scenic spots listed above, the coniferous forest in Dafu Mountain is not as grand and magnificent. However, the autumn definitely has its presence here, die to gold red pine needles which you can appreciate on a leisurely bike ride on the mountain path. 

Address: No 668 Yushan West Road, Panyu district

Transportation: Take Metro line 3 to Hanxi Changlong station, then transfer to Bus line 10A to the north gate of Dafu Mountain. 

Shimen Forest Park

Located along Tiantangding Mountain in Conghua district, around 100 kilometers north of downtown Guangzhou, Shimen Forest Park has over two square kilometers of maple trees. The park mainly contains three kinds of trees with red leaves: maple, sapium discolor and red maple. The leaves turn red every year from November to January, earning Shimen the title of "Fragrant Hills in Guangzhou". Fragrant Hills Park is a famous scenic resort in the northwestern part of Beijing that attracts thousands of tourists with its spectacular views of red leaves in the autumn.

Address: Daling Mountain, Tiaolian village, Wenquan town, Conghua district

Driving route: Guangzhou - Heyuan Highway - Dongguan-Shenzhen Highway (Taoyuan station) - 934 Town Road - Shimen Forest Park

If you cannot wait until November, you can visit surrounding cities then feast your eyes on the solemn Autumn atmosphere here later.

Lianzhou in Qingyuan

If you want to enjoy beautiful rural scenes in autumn, Lianzhou, a county-level city in Qingyuan, is perfect for you. Villages such as Xijiang and Qingjiang in Lianzhou city have a vast number of old ginkgo trees. In the late autumn, the yellow ginkgo leaves are in full color, creating a beautiful, tranquil scene when juxtaposed with the streams and fields nearby.

Address: Lianzhou, Qingyuan city, Guangdong province

Driving route: Guangzhou - Qingyuan Highway - Qingyuan-Lianzhou Highway - Lianzhou

Home of ginkgo trees - Pingtian town

Pingtian town, known as the home of ginkgo trees in Guangdong province, is just east of Nanxiong city. More than 16,473 acres of ginkgo trees are planted in Nanxiong, while Pingtian, with over 5,000 ginkgo trees, is one of the best spots for appreciating the colorful leaves in autumn. Late October to December is the season when the ginkgo leaves turn gold in Nanxiong.

Address: Pingtian town, Nanxiong city, Guangdong province

Driving route: Beijing-Zhuhai Highway (to Shaoguan) -  106 National Highway - Shaoguan East Toll Station - Shixing - Nanxiong town - S342 Provincial Highway - Laolong (location of Pingtian town government) - Pingtian

Nanling National Park in Shaoguan

Situated in Shaoguan city in the northern part of Guangdong province, Nanling National Park is perhaps the best place to view red and yellow leaves during autumn. Home to the biggest primitive forest and the top three highest peaks in Guangdong, it is a place where visitors can expect to see snowfall every year. When cool fall breezes are just barely felt in the southern part of the province, Nanling is already immersed in deep autumn. As the crisp air creeps over the peaks, the forest in Nanling turns from green to gold, orange and then fiery red. The peak time for viewing the spectacular red leaves usually arrives in mid-October.

Address: Nanling National Park, Ruyuan town, Shaoguan city, Guangdong province

Driving route: Huanan Expressway - Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway (to Shaoguan) - get off the expressway at the Nanling Park Station - turn right and then follow the road sign, "Wuzhishan", and drive straight (about 15 minutes) to reach the park.