Enjoy beauty of Yantai in late autumn

One falling leaf is a sign that autumn is on its way, says a Chinese proverb. Autumn in China is the golden time to go outdoors to enjoy the scenery of colorful leaves before the trees become bare.

As the cold winter comes upon us, the season to admire a city's beauty in autumn is also gradually leaving us. Therefore, take the chance to enjoy the beauty of Yantai in East China's Shandong province while you can.

1. Kunyu Mountain

Kunyu Mountain sits in the east of Yantai. It was recognized as a national nature reserve in 2008.

It is well known for its green biological environment and beautiful scenery in the Shandong Peninsula. It has a forest coverage rate of more than 82 percent and enjoys biological diversity, with 2,234 species of wild animals and plants.

It is the only natural habitat of red pine in the country and has the first ecosystem research station for detrimental bio-organism control and prevention. It is also the source of the Muzhu, Huanglei, Han and Qinshui rivers, contributing to several large and medium-sized reservoirs.

According to research statistics, the forest ecosystem of Kunyu Mountain boasts 1 billion yuan ($166 million) in direct ecological output value in terms of water and soil conservation, oxygen generation, carbon dioxide absorption, sulfur dioxide decomposition, dust filtration and scientific research. It is valuable for the research of natural evolution and biological and genetic diversity.

The mountain is said to be the birthplace of the Quanzhen School of Taoism, with the reputation of the "Fathers of Maritime Mountains". Emperor Qinshihuang came at the mountain three times to seek an elixir of life.

A forest park, named Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park, was built in 1992 based on the mountain, covering an area of some 72,000 mu (4,800 hectares).

Location: Mouping district, Yantai, Shandong province

Tel: 0535-4693307, 0535-4693388

Opening hours: 7:00 – 17:30 from May to October

                          7:00 – 17:00 from November to next April

Official website: http://www.kunyushan.com.cn/

The beautiful natural scenery of Kunyu Mountain in late autumn is a must-see in Yantai of East China's Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: ytbendio]

The golden and red leaves on Kunyu Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account: ytbendio]