A gentle hike in Jizhou
Honghuayu in Tianjin’s Jizhou district is a very accessible, easy hiking route for beginners. It is known for hills covered in red smoke-tree leaves and beautiful views combining the mountains with Yuqiao Reservoir, also called Cuiping Lake. Here is a detailed guide to the short loop.
Route choices and difficulty
Easy short loop, 3-6km: about 3-6km, taking 2-3 hours, with approximately 200-300m of ascent. It mainly follows dirt and gravel paths with some concrete road. Slopes are gentle, with no steep steps, making it manageable for beginners, families with children and pets. It is a pleasant walk with plenty of photo stops.
Longer, more demanding loop, 9-10km: about 9-10km, taking 4-5 hours, with 300-450m of ascent. It circles the whole mountain, offering broader views and a closer look at the reservoir’s southern shore. It suits walkers with some experience who want to stretch their legs further.
Getting there and parking
Driving directions: navigate directly to ‘Honghuayu Village’ or ‘Guixian Mulberry Picking Garden’.
Parking: aim for the three-way junction at the village entrance or an open roadside space, without blocking the road. Autumn-colour weekends are busy and the village access road can become congested. If traffic ahead is badly backed up, park beside Biejiu Road and walk in, or avoid the rush by entering the hills at 2-3 p.m.
Public transport: take a train to Jizhou North Station, then a taxi to the Honghuayu trailhead, about 40 minutes. Finding a return taxi can be difficult, so arrange a pickup time with the driver in advance.
Scenery and photography spots
Summit viewing platform: the panoramic viewpoint. Look down over red foliage covering the hills and distant Cuiping Lake, with the lake and mountains in one frame. In good weather, a drone or wide-angle lens produces striking photographs.
Mid-slope foliage path: a narrow trail through smoke trees, where sunlight filtering through the leaves makes atmospheric portraits easy to capture.
East-slope summit: watch the sunset here in the evening as the setting sun colours the lake and hills red, creating a wonderful atmosphere.
Equipment and supplies
Shoes: slip-resistant hiking shoes or trainers. Although the route is simple, leaf-covered dirt paths and gravel slopes can be slippery. Canvas shoes and flat-soled shoes are not recommended.
Clothing: the hills are windy with large temperature swings. Wear quick-drying clothes with a windproof shell or fleece; a brightly coloured jacket or hat looks better in photographs.
Supplies: there are no shops on the mountain. Bring at least 1.5L of water, some snacks and energy bars. In villages along the way, residents may sell fruit, skewers or coffee, where you can supplement supplies as needed.
Other items: trekking poles to save effort and improve grip, a hat, sunglasses and rubbish bags. Carry all rubbish away and leave no trace in the hills.
Pitfalls, safety and the season
Fees: most of the route is currently free, but during the autumn-leaf season residents may collect RMB 10-20 at some junctions for rubbish removal or parking. If you do not wish to pay, nearby informal paths may offer a way around, but take care and do not follow undeveloped trails alone.
Avoid getting lost: some junctions are confusing. Download a track in an outdoor app such as Liangbulu or Liuzhijiao beforehand, searching for ‘Honghuayu’, and follow the ribbons or the track.
Fire prevention and insects: you may need to scan a fire-prevention code to register on entering the hills. Photograph wild plants and mushrooms without picking or eating them, and take precautions against mosquitoes and other insects.
Timing: darkness falls early in the hills and there are no streetlights. Start in the morning and make sure you begin descending before 4 p.m. to avoid walking over gravel in the dark.
Now, in early November, Honghuayu’s autumn colours are nearing their end. In fine weather, the red-covered hills are still well worth seeing. Head out soon to catch the last of the autumn colour! (Author: 九华月)