Tired of feeling like a sardine packed among visitors of Beijing's Fragrant Hills Park? Look to Nanyang in Henan instead!

While it may not share the fame associated with the Fragrant Hills, Nanyang is an amazing place for appreciating the colorful leaves of autumn.

The best time for savoring the beautiful autumn vistas in Nanyang spans from late October through late November, a period when the hills are bathed in red.

There are various attractions in the city for visitors to appreciate the seasonal beauty including Funiu Mountain, the Baotianman Scenic Area and Wuduo Mountain.

Read on for some information and travelling tips regarding the most popular areas for an autumn visit to Nanyang!

Tongbai red leaves scenic spot

Situated on Tongbai Mountain, the Tongbai red leaves scenic spot covers an area of 96 square kilometers. During autumn, over 70 percent of the area is covered with beautiful red leaves.

Smoke trees, wild maples, persimmon trees and catalpa trees contribute to the stunning red sea of the scenic locale, which won the honorary title of "the Capital of Red Leaves in Central China".

Besides the red leaves area, the cultural origins of the ancient Chinese mythological figure, Pan Gu, and of one of China's greatest masterpieces, Journey to the West, provide additional interest for visitors to Tongbai.

In order to further promote Tongbai's brand as a top red leaves tourist attraction, the Tongbai government has listed the red leaves scenic area as one of its key tourism projects, with a larger budget invested to renovate roads and build more well-equipped hotels, as well as farm stays in the area.

The recommended time for visiting Tongbai red leaves scenic spot is Oct 25 through Dec 10.

Recommended driving directions: Drive along Shanghai-Shannxi Expressway from Nanyang city. Continue through Tanghe county before turn onto Jiaotong Expressway. Exit the highway at Zhuzhuang session, following the Provincial Highway to Huanggang Township. Then drive north for eight kilometers.

The sea of red leaves in Tongbai red leaves scenic area. [Photo/Nanyang Daily]