Driving Through Qinling to Enjoy Autumn Colors: My Five-Day Mountain Road Self-Driving Diary

With the steering wheel in hand, I drove into the colorful scroll of Qinling, where every turn was a surprise. This autumn, I decided to seize the brief and brilliant fall season and start a self-driving trip around Xi’an. Five days, five mountain roads—I will take you through the most beautiful autumn scenery of Qinling from a first-person perspective. On the first day, I chose the route from Zhongnanshan Highway Tunnel to Nanwutai. Departing early in the morning, I passed through the 18.02-kilometer-long Qinling Zhongnanshan Highway Tunnel, which is not only an engineering marvel but also a unique experience. The lighting design inside the tunnel eased driving fatigue, allowing me to start the journey in good condition. The autumn scenery at Nanwutai was breathtaking. The forest was beautiful and lush, with rich vegetation. In autumn, Nanwutai’s mountains are covered in red, and the layered forests are dyed in vibrant colors. Climbing up to the viewing platform, the sea of clouds intertwined with red leaves took my breath away. After descending, I visited the Ancient Guanyin Zen Temple, where the millennium-old ginkgo tree was not yet fully golden but already magnificent. On the second day, I headed to Taibai Mountain National Forest Park. As the highest peak of Qinling, Taibai Mountain’s autumn colors are rich and varied due to altitude differences. Taking the Tianxia Cableway up the mountain, I overlooked the colorful mountains. From the foot to the summit, the colors unfolded in sequence—golden yellow, azure blue, and pure white blended together. The leaves of the red birch changed from green to yellow, then to orange. This colorful world was intoxicating. Although I didn’t reach the summit, the panoramic view of the sky and earth made me feel the wonderful experience of “seeing four seasons in one day.” On the third day, I drove to Huangbaiyuan Primitive Ecological Scenic Area. This route, known as the “Qinling Autumn Color Ceiling,” truly lives up to its name. Taiyang Highway is a paradise for self-driving enthusiasts. The 198-kilometer journey has few commercial signs, only layers of colorful forests. At low altitude, the maple trees were dazzlingly red; the middle red birch forest showed orange hues; and the high-altitude coniferous forest remained deep green, with three distinct color layers. In Dajian Valley, the emerald stream flowed through the valley, reflecting the red leaves on both banks. For a moment, I thought I had arrived at Jiuzhaigou. On the fourth day, I chose the more relaxed Shaohua Mountain National Forest Park. Only 1.5 hours’ drive from Xi’an, the cliffside plank road here coils like a giant dragon on the mountaintop. In autumn, the mountain is covered with colorful forests, creating a picturesque scene. After taking the cableway up, I experienced the glass plank road, overlooking the spectacular red leaves covering the mountain. Shaohua Mountain’s autumn colors perfectly combine natural scenery with cultural relics, allowing visitors to enjoy the fall while feeling the historical depth. On the fifth day, I explored the essence of the Liuba area. Gaojiang Road is praised as “China’s Most Beautiful Rural Road.” After mid-October, the 39-kilometer-long road is flanked by dawn redwood forests that have all turned golden yellow. I made a special visit to the ancient ginkgo tree, which is 4,000 years old and ranks as the third oldest tree in the country. Along the way, places like Chaiguanling and Shizigou Pasture made me linger. Here, you don’t need to visit specific attractions to feel the richest autumn of Qinling. Self-Driving Practical Tips This self-driving trip allowed me to summarize some practical experiences. The best viewing period is usually from mid-October to mid-November, but the exact timing varies slightly due to altitude and climate. Regarding vehicle choice, most routes are accessible by regular cars, but for winding mountain roads like those to Huangbaiyuan with steep slopes and sharp turns, it is recommended to have an experienced driver. Accommodation should be booked in advance, especially in popular areas like Liuba. Local road crew lodges and Loufanggou homestays require early reservations. Clothing preparation should consider the temperature difference in the mountains. I prepared warm jackets and non-slip sports shoes, which were very useful in the early morning, evening, and during hikes. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance to avoid queues. Some scenic spots also offer shuttle services, such as the bus from Hanzhong to Longtoushan, providing convenience for visitors who do not want to drive the entire way. Looking back on these five days, I not only collected countless beautiful photos but also deeply felt the grandeur and diversity of Qinling’s autumn colors. From the sea of clouds and red leaves at Nanwutai to the colorful forest sea of Taibai Mountain, from the vibrant waters of Huangbaiyuan to the golden roads of Liuba, each place showcases a different charm of Qinling in autumn. This self-driving trip made me realize that the most beautiful scenery is not only at the destination but also on the winding mountain roads and in the surprises after every turn. Qinling’s autumn is brief and precious. While the autumn colors are just right, why not start your own self-driving journey and experience this visual feast?