Shicheng Village Maples
石城
Chengcun and Daicun in Dazhangshan Township are white-walled villages surrounded by centuries-old maple groves. Mid-autumn, smoke from morning cooking fires drifting through red leaves and mist is Wuyuan's most iconic autumn scene.
Shicheng is in Dazhangshan Township in northern Wuyuan and is made up of Chengcun and Daicun. Over a hundred liquidambar trees, some several centuries old, grow in and around the villages. From mid to late November, when the leaves turn red, the morning cooking smoke of villagers drifts through the valley. Combined with thin mist, red maples and Huizhou-style houses, the scene has become a fall pilgrimage site for photographers from across China. The best vantage point is a viewing platform on the hillside across from Chengcun, where you need to queue for a spot from 5 to 6 a.m. You can also go down into the village for close-up shots. Admission is about CNY 60 and is included in the Wuyuan pass. Getting there: about 60 km from the county seat, roughly 1.5 hours by car on winding mountain roads. During peak season, guesthouses nearby fill up quickly, so most photographers stay in Qinghua Town or the county seat and set out before dawn. Nearby Changxi Village is also a red-maple village, and it is less crowded. Notes: weather affects the red-leaf season, so check current conditions before you go. Morning mist depends on luck: it needs a clear previous day and calm winds the morning of. Mountain mornings are cold, so bring warm clothing.
Opening hours
All day (viewing deck opens 06:00 in peak season)