THOUGH the weather is cooling down, our passion for traveling and witnessing the beauty of nature keeps heating up. If you haven’t made any plans for the fall yet, why not consider the following destinations famous for their autumn foliage? These easy-to-reach places right here in China are no less magnificent than the scenery found in Japan or Canada. Red Leaves Valley in Jiaohe, Jilin Red Leaves Valley, or Hongye Valley, is nestled inside Lafa Mountain National Forest Park, which is situated at the western foot of Changbai Mountain and the bank of Songhua Lake. Nicknamed “the autumn fairy tale,” Red Leaves Valley is filled with an array of tree species, such as maple, birch, larch and gingko trees. In autumn, the leaves gradually turn from a cardinal red into a gorgeous gold. The mix of fiery and warm colors makes the valley look like massive, regal waves rolling across a great sea. Besides, the valley is filled with majestic mountains, flowing streams and sporadic villages. With autumn soon underway, now is a good time to start planning a trip to see the unique sight of endless red leaves. In 2010, Red Leaves Valley was ranked No. 3 on the “Top 10 Autumn Views in China” list by Chinese National Geography. The best time to visit Red Leaves Valley is from late September to late October. Red leaves on Guanshanmen Mountain Every year from later September to early October, a sea of red maple leaves on Guanshanmen Mountain becomes a magnet which lures many visitors from all over the country. Guanshanmen Mountain National Forest Park, located 70 kilometers southeast of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, covers an area of 3,517 hectares ranging from altitudes of 310 to 1,234 meters and a forest coverage rate of 85 percent. The beauty of the maple trees here will make you feel like you’re falling into a fairyland. The park is so big that it takes around three to four hours to check out the five areas inside. It’s recommended that visitors take the sightseeing bus to Lyuyin Villa directly, because to the west of the villa lies the main maple tree viewing area. Euphrates poplar forest in Ejina Witnessing the Euphrates poplar (populus euphratica) forest in Ejina is like being spellbound by a magic which attracts tourists from over China within a dozen of days to this one spot. Ejina, a place home to only 20,000 residents, turned into a popular tourist destination that receives a large number of tourists overnight. The Euphrates poplar is an ancient species of poplar tree in the willow family. Poplar trees change colors with the seasons — green in spring and summer, yellow and golden in autumn, and red in winter. The tree’s yellow color near summer’s end offers a great photography opportunity, very often attracting crowds of visitors. Every year from late September to mid-October, an area of 440,000 mu of Euphrates poplar forest turns Ejina into a golden palace, shining along Provincial Road 312. Striking scenery at Lake Kanas September means the beginning of the golden season for Lake Kanas, which is nestled deep in the forests and mountains of Altay near the very northern tip of Xinjiang. The lake is 1,374 meters above sea level, and its deepest point is at 188.5 meters. In autumn, it presents a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green, making for sights that excite the senses. White birch, red pines and firs around the lake together with white snow adorning mountain tops all reflect on the serene lake surface, providing a rare angle for breathtaking photos. A blending of prairies, mountains, forests, plains, glaciers and wetlands make this sacred area a holy land for shutterbugs and nature aficionados. (Chen Xiaochun) | 