Korean Pine Profuse Yichun

Standing on the floor of the 15-kilometer-long valley, the sky appeared both larger and more distant. A flight of cooing wood pigeons glided across the sky framed by towering peaks and strewn with fluffy clouds. A nearby mountain has been named Pigeon Peak owing to the preponderance of this bird in the area.

The day temperature was a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius, higher than normal for this time of the year, but autumn was already apparent in the golden foliage. It was at this point that my friend answered my question about Mt. Wuhua. In late autumn, leaves in this area form a four-shade collage of green, brown, red and gold against a sky blue backdrop, hence the name Mt. Wuhua (Five-colors).

I didn’t see Mt. Wuhua during my stay, but have gorgeous memories of Yichun’s stunning scenery to cherish, and so have no regrets, because it means a second trip.

Tips:

All four seasons of Yichun have their distinct allure. Go there to escape the summer heat and explore its ice and snow wonderland. It also offers exotic sports, like drifting and hunting, on obtaining a license from the local government. As the many scenic spots are quite far apart, renting a car is the best way of seeing them.

Local culinary specialties include black fungus, mushrooms, blueberries, honey, pine seeds, hazel nuts and wild vegetables.