The Perfect Autumn Hike Near Chengdu: Yuhuang Mountain in Jintang
October in Chengdu truly lives up to the name “Golden Autumn” — it gives you everything you could want from the season. But here’s the thing: autumn in Chengdu doesn’t last long. Once this month is over, it’s basically winter. So take advantage of this beautiful window and get out into nature. Where should you go for an autumn hike near Chengdu?
Head to Yuhuang Mountain (玉皇山) in Jintang — it’s bursting with autumn vibes.
Why Yuhuang Mountain?
Yuhuang Mountain sits east-northeast of Chengdu, on the outer edge of the Longquan Mountain City Forest Park. This is hilly terrain with rolling ridges and valleys, creating a network of winding hiking trails. It’s home to Sichuan’s first national-level hiking and fitness trail — and the whole route is neither steep nor treacherous. Even elementary school kids can handle it easily. These days the trail links up persimmon groves, a red maple corridor, and fields of chrysanthemums. Honestly, it’s a fantastic spot for a light autumn hike just outside Chengdu.
The elevation isn’t high. The trails are a mix of wooden boardwalks, stone steps, gravel paths, and a small amount of dirt trail. Starting from the trailhead in Guancang Town (官仓镇), the first section is easy — all wooden boardwalk. Maybe because it rained a few days ago, the planks look dark and damp, and they make a muffled “thump-thump” sound underfoot. But don’t worry — it’s all treated wood, so safety is assured.
The woods on both sides are dense. Even though it’s autumn, most leaves are still bright green. The hiking area is divided into several routes — the infrastructure here is very mature. For beginners and families, I recommend the 5-kilometer medium loop. The climb is gentle, the whole thing is relaxing, and it’s perfect for taking your time and enjoying the scenery.
If you’ve got plenty of energy, you can challenge the 10-kilometer big loop. The scenery is more varied and layered, and it feels more wild and off-the-beaten-path.
Pro tip: The trail markers are very clear. For the 5 km route, just follow the red ribbons. For the 10 km route, follow the blue ribbons. You won’t get lost. But you can also pick your own path depending on how you feel.
What You’ll See Along the Way
The Autumn Harvest House
Lately, the “autumn drying” house (晒秋瓦房) has been super popular. You can actually climb onto the roof — it’s covered with props like pumpkins, persimmons, chilis, and corn. The orange-yellow colors blend beautifully with the surrounding forest. People love taking photos here. Climbing up on the roof gives you that mischievous feeling of “tiling the roof” — just like when you were a kid sneaking onto the roof, afraid of getting scolded by adults. It’s a full-on autumn harvest scene, packed with childhood memories.
Red Maple Corridor
Both sides of the road are planted with red maples — this is the famous Red Maple Corridor (红枫长廊). In October, the leaves aren’t fully crimson yet, but the mix of green, yellow, and light red creates a beautiful layered effect. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled light on the ground. A gentle breeze stirs a few leaves, and those that have turned red early drift down with the wind.
Forest Trails and Rest Stops
As you walk through the forest, you’ll pass through dense pine and eucalyptus groves. The tall eucalyptus trees stand straight, their trunks grayish-white, most having shed their bark. There’s no city noise here — just the sound of wind and birds. It’s like a natural oxygen bar. Breathing the fresh air, you feel completely refreshed. There are several thatched pavilions along the trail where you can rest if you’re tired. The views from the pavilions are wide open — you can gaze out at the rolling mountains in the distance.
Persimmon Groves and Local Snacks
If you come hiking now, you’ll also pass through a persimmon grove. Over a hundred mu (亩) of persimmons are ready for harvest — golden and bright. The leaves have fallen, leaving only red lantern-like fruits on the branches, soft and ripe. As the saying goes, “persimmons mean everything goes as you wish” (柿柿如意) — the mountains hang this simple blessing on every branch. Besides persimmons, you’ll also find pomelos, oranges, taro, peanuts, and other fruits in the woods. Local farmers set up stalls along the road selling their own produce — grab a little something to snack on as you hike.
Chrysanthemum Fields
Chrysanthemums are another highlight of Yuhuang Mountain. A few years ago, the scenic area’s farm planted about 600 mu of Chuancrown chrysanthemums (川皇菊) and golden-thread chrysanthemums (金丝菊), interspersed with pink cosmos. Now it’s blooming season. Walking along the terraced fields, the fragrance isn’t overpowering — it’s slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. These chrysanthemums are mostly medicinal herbs, since Yuhuang Mountain is a wellness park. They also grow kudzu root and Ming ginseng (明参) here. These plants grow among the forests, and walking through them is deeply relaxing.
Ridge Views and the Glass Bridge
When you reach the ridge, you’ll see lots of firethorn (火棘) — red berries covering the hillsides. It’s wonderfully wild. Standing on the viewing platform, you can look out at Hongqi Reservoir (红旗水库) in the distance — a pool of blue-green water nestled among the rolling mountains, peaceful and serene. Not far away there’s also a glass skybridge, perfect for thrill-seekers.
As the poet said: “I see how lovely the green mountains are, and I expect the mountains see me the same way.” When you’re in the mountains, the mountains come alive because of you.
Practical Info
- Address: Yuhuang Wellness Valley (玉皇养生谷), Guancang Subdistrict, Jintang County, Chengdu (玉皇山).
- Tickets: The main entrance is free. The glass bridge, slide, zipline, and other amusement projects are charged separately.
- Getting there: Public transport is a hassle and takes a long time. Driving is recommended. From downtown Chengdu, take the Chengba / Hurong Expressway, get off at the Jintang exit, and navigate to “Yuhuang Wellness Valley Visitor Center” (玉皇养生谷游客中心). The whole trip takes about 1 hour.
- What to see in October: Persimmons hanging on the branches, large fields of golden Chuancrown chrysanthemums, and the autumn drying landscape.
- Tips: Stick to the designated trails — don’t wander onto wild paths or into undeveloped forest areas. Don’t go into the mountains on rainy days; the trails get slippery after rain.
Local insight: October’s Yuhuang Mountain isn’t some epic hiking mecca. It has no steep routes, no high altitude. It’s just gentle, open, and easy. You don’t need to prepare for everything or buy expensive gear. Just come to the mountains with family or friends. For me, hiking doesn’t have to be a challenge — it’s just about experiencing a complete autumn, immersing yourself in nature, and being in your own world.
