11th Changsha Yuelu Mountain Red Maple Festival

An increasing number of tourists visit Yuelu Mountain as maple leaves turn red. This year the maple leaves turn red earlier than usual. On November 19, the 11th Yuelu Mountain Red Maple Festival will open at the east entrance, as a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the opening of Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area.

Yuelu Mountain, located to the west of Xiangjiang River in Changsha, Hunan Province, is often referred to as one of the four best fall foliage viewing areas in China. In early winter, maple leaves overwhelming the mountain are at their prettiest, which can be seen anywhere on the mountain, especially at Aiwan Pavilion, Qingfeng Gorge, Lushan Temple, and on mountaintop. Orange Isle also commands a fine distant view of Yuelu’s fall foliage, as referred in Mao Zedong’s poem “While on Orange Island cape, I see upon thousands of vermillion mountains, layer upon layer of woods dyed crimson and scarlet”.

A visitor takes photo of crimson maple leaves on Yuelu Mountain. The leaves are turning red since early November.

Admission: FREE

Peak season: Early November to early December  Add.: No. 29 Lushan Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan  How to get there: Take bus such as the No.1 Lvyou Bus, No. 63, No. 106, No. 317 Bus, Lishan Bus to former site of the Xinmin Institute stop and climb the mountain from the east entrance.