Miyaluo Scenic Area-Best Place to See the Red Leaves near Jiuzhaigou

Located at the upper reaches of Min River, the Zagunao River valley, Miyaluo Scenic Area with a unique geographical advantage became the first choice place to see the red leaves near Jiuzhaigou Valley. Backed by snow-capped mountains, faced to basin, the whole scenic area covers 3,688 square kilometers in size, of which the forest area accounts for 70%. Right on the middle position from Chengdu to the tour line of Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong, Miyaluo is deeply favored by tourists.

Miyaluo Red Leaves

Miyaluo has become the largest red leaves scenic spot which has been found and opened. It ever was 180 times bigger than the red leaves spot of Fragrant Hill, Beijing. In Miyaluo Scenic Area, the vast sea of forest shaking, springs flowing, the hills sweep round the hidden valley. The valleys of Miyaluo, ablaze with red maple leaves in mid-October, attract throngs of visitors.

The Best Time and Best Place to View the Red Leaves in Miyaluo

Geographically speaking, Miyaluo refers to the confines from Bipenggou to Zhegu Mountain. However, the wonderful world of red leaves used to only occur in the area between Bajiaodiao village and Zhegu Mountain. It is a pity that nowadays, the ecological environment is destroyed because of the construction of cascade hydropower stations. As a result of it, only some woody plates with yellow leaves can be seen in Miyaluo Town. The most concentrated area of red leaves sits between Xuecheng Town of Li County and Miyaluo Town. To view the best scenery of red leaves, you need to hike through the valley beside the highway.

Timing is everything because the time when red leaves reaches its most beauty varies from years. In order to determine the best viewing time, you’d better to seek some advice on it from local people or scenic spot. Usually the best time to visit Miyaluo will be from late October to late November. The discoloration of red leaves is closely related to weather. The small amount of rain and early autumn wind will quicken the pace of turning color, and you can have a glimpse of the wonderful world of red leaves in mid-October. The heyday lasts for ten days around late October.

The famous poem written by Dumu, “I stop my carriage to admire the Maple Grove at nightfall, whose frosty leaves are redder than the flowers of early spring”, is the best description of Miyaluo’s red leaves. When autumn comes, the valley is a blaze of color, and the maple trees were in their autumn glory of russets, reds and browns. The interplay of bright sunshine, rolling mountains and clear rivers suggests the vitality of a scene.

What’s the best way to visit the red leaves of Miyaluo Senic Area

Given to the current situation of Miyaluo, viewing the red leaves by hiking one certain valley is suggested. The valley is a blaze of color, and hiking through it could afford a better experience. Viewing it by car is also a good idea, but there is no comparison between the red leaf trees beside the highway and in valley, both in size and color.

Things to Know before Visiting Miyaluo

The ticket of Miyaluo Scenic Area is 30 RMB, 60 RMB of Taoping Qiang villages, and 50 RMB of Guergou thermal springs, but the Miyaluo scenic area is free charged.

Unlike the high altitude of Jiuzhaigou, the average altitude of Miyaluo is only about 2000 meters. There is no need to worry about altitude stress in Miyaluo, but tourists still need to pay much attention on daily activities, such as avoiding strenuous activities, drinking less and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. After all, Miyaluo belongs to plateau area.

Given that you need to hike through the valleys, you’d better pay attention to the weather forecast in advance, and prepare an umbrella and antiskid shoes just in case.Put on your autumn clothing and prepare an extra coat, which can protect you against the huge temperature difference.

The Local Culture of Miyaluo

In Tibetan, Miyaluo means “the interesting dam”. The Tibetan people and Qiang people living in Miyaluo scenic spot share a simple style of nationalism. At mid-October, a magnificent Miyaluo Red Leaves Festival will be hold in Li County. To greet the guests, the local Tibetan and Qiang people will hold various folklore activities, including temple fair, hunting, folk dance, and so on. The distinguished guests will be warmly welcomed with singing and dancing.The foods used to entertain visitors by local Tibetans are traditional food, such as Butter tea, Zanba and Qingke Barley Liquor.

Jiarong Tibetans in Miyaluo

Other Famous Scenic Spots in Miyaluo Scenic Area

1. Guergou Thermal Springs

Located at the riverside of Zagunao River in Li County, Guergou thermal springs is the only one natural hot springs which collects the functions of bathing, drinking and treating in Sichuan province. With the water temperature of 45 degrees and daily flow of 3,000 tons, Guergou thermal springs has already formed a complete tourism system. Inside the SPA, buildings with unique national characteristics are set off by snow-capped mountains, looming in milky vapor.

You can enjoy the hot spring in Guergou near Miyaluo.

2. Bipenggou

Located at the north slope of Mount Siguniang, Bipenggou Valley is also a great area to viewing red leaves. With up to 82 scenic spots set in Bipenggou, it contains a large amount of landscape types, including snow peak, lakes, alpine meadow, colorful forests, and so on.

Bipenggou Scenic Area

6 Days Mt. Siguniang Changping Valley to Bipeng Valley Hiking Adventure

3. Taoping Qiang Village

40km from the urban are of Li County, 16km from Wenchuan and 139km from Chengdu, Taoping Qiang village is the most protected building groups of the world whose watchtowers and folk houses are inosculated as a whole. With the name of “Mysterious Oriental Castle”, this Qiangvillage is a maze to strangers. The history of it could be dated back to Yangshao culture, and the village condensed the thousand-year tradition and history of Qiangnationality.The unique underground water supply systemand ancient but complex building structure are the ancient Chinese wisdom of the Qiangpeople. It will charge you 60 RMB.

The Traditional Building in Taoping Qiang Village

How to Get to Miyaluo

The Recommended Tour Route to Visit Miyaluo For self-help travel, you can take bus at Chengdu Chadianzi bus station. Driving through Li County, Taoping Qiang Village and Miyaluo successfully, it will take you 40 RMB and 6 hours. Another direction to Guergou is also available in Chengdu Chadianzi bus station, and it will take you 42 RMB and 6 hours.

For self-driving, tourists could also start from Chengdu. Driving through Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Miyaluo successfully, you will arrive at Miyaluo on the first night. If fortunately, some bonfire parties will be held in mid-October. After viewing the scenery of Miyaluo in the morning, you can visit Guergou in the afternoon by car and return Li County that night. The third day will be used to visit Li County.

The Internal Transportation of Miyaluo Scenic Area Inside Miyaluo Scenic Area, the transportation is convenient, too. The main spots are mainly distributed beside 317 National Road. Given that the most concentrated area of red leaves sits between Xuecheng Town of Li County and Miyaluo Town, you can hire a chartered car, and take photos along the way, or hike one certain valley. Miyaluo Scenic Area could be related to Hongyuan, Ruoergai and Bipenggou, so it is highly suggested to view these scenic spots at once.