In this article, you will be revealed the reasons to travel to China in the fall, a list of the 10 most beautiful destinations, necessary experiences, and detailed itinerary suggestions for a complete trip. Let's start the journey to experience an ancient and brilliant Chinese autumn, and get ready to prepare for your own memorable trip!
I. Autumn is the golden time to explore China
- Ideal weather: 15–25°C, clear skies, little rain.
- Brilliant scenery: Red maple forests, blue lakes, yellow ginkgo cover the parks.
- Special festivals: Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day, Chrysanthemum Festival.
- Reasonable cost: Tours, air tickets, hotels are more economical than in summer.
Ideal weather for a trip to explore China in autumn
Cool autumn weather – Ideal conditions for traveling to China. (Photo: Collected)
Autumn in China (September to November) brings cool, pleasant weather with average temperatures of 15–25°C. The sky is clear and blue, with little rain, making it ideal for outdoor activities, trekking in the mountains or strolling around ancient streets. This is the best time of year for you to truly enjoy your trip.
China's natural scenery is brilliant in autumn
Bright red maple forest – Symbol of autumn in China. (Photo: Collected)
You don’t have to go all the way to Korea or Japan to immerse yourself in the sea of red, yellow, and orange leaves in China. From Huangshan to Jiuzhaigou, from Beijing to Suzhou, everywhere is filled with vibrant colors. Scenes that look like they came out of ink paintings make autumn in China always top the global search list.
Unique autumn festivals in China
Mid-Autumn lanterns light up Chinese streets. (Photo: Collected)
Autumn is also the time for many big festivals: Mid-Autumn Festival with the full moon night, National Day (October 1) with large-scale events, or the brilliant chrysanthemum festival in many cities. This is an opportunity for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and immerse yourself in the colorful cultural life of the local people.
Reasonable cost and experience
Autumn – A beautiful and economical choice when traveling to China. (Photo: Collected)
Compared to the peak summer season, autumn has more affordable airfares, hotels and China package tours . At the same time, the number of international tourists is also less crowded, allowing you to comfortably experience without being too crowded.
II. Top 10 most beautiful autumn tourist destinations in China
1. Beijing – Golden autumn colors in the thousand-year-old capital
The Forbidden City in the golden color of ginkgo leaves in autumn. (Photo: Collected)
Beijing in autumn is like a painting that blends the ancient and the modern. If you visit the Summer Palace early in the morning, the surface of Kunming Lake reflects the rows of golden ginkgo trees, each leaf falling slowly on the still water surface - a moment that makes anyone feel peaceful. Along the Great Wall, the mountain ranges are covered with red maple leaves, creating a scene that is both majestic and romantic. This is when you feel most clearly the saying: "If you don't visit the Great Wall once, you are not a hero".
2. Hangzhou – Picturesque West Lake
West Lake Hangzhou in autumn is impressive with its beautiful mountains and rivers. (Photo: Collected)
West Lake Hangzhou in autumn evokes a feeling of both classic and poetic. When the sunset falls, the golden sunlight dyes the lake surface red, the blue smoke of the afternoon blends with the weeping willows, creating a scene that makes visitors feel like they are lost in the world of Tang poetry. If you take a boat on the lake, you will hear the gentle sound of oars, feeling like you are living in the middle of an ancient song. In particular, Longjing tea enjoyed in the cool autumn weather will make you remember it forever.
3. Suzhou – Venice of the East
Suzhou ancient town in the gentle autumn breeze. (Photo: Collected)
Walking through the small stone-paved alleys of Suzhou in autumn is an unforgettable experience. On both sides are mossy white walls, the quiet canal reflects the bright red maple leaves. Wooden boats drift slowly, the boatman hums a few folk songs, all creating a romantic atmosphere. If you love photography, you will definitely find "no dead angle" shooting angles in this ancient town.
4. Jiuzhaigou – Paradise of red leaves season
Jiuzhaigou – China's autumn natural masterpiece. (Photo: Collected)
Known as “heaven on earth”, Jiuzhaigou in autumn overwhelms people with the perfect combination of emerald green lake, red maple forest and majestic mountains. Walking along the wooden path around Five Flower Lake, you will see the water so clear that you can see every tree branch submerged at the bottom. Especially, when the sunlight shines through the red and yellow leaves, the whole scene seems to turn into a vivid ink painting. This is a destination that with just one visit, you will carry with you a lifetime of memories.
5. Xi'an – Historical beauty in autumn colors
The ancient city wall of Xi'an is golden in autumn. (Photo: Collected)
Not only famous for the Battle Horses, Xi'an in autumn also conquers visitors with its ancient beauty dyed in yellow. Along the ancient city wall of Xi'an, rows of bright yellow ginkgo trees stretch like a carpet, blending with the ancient gray bricks. When standing on the city wall in the afternoon, looking out to see the silhouette of the city in the sunset, you will clearly feel the intersection between the thousand-year-old past and the vibrant present.
6. Zhangjiajie – Real-life Avatar Scenery
The enchanting beauty of Zhangjiajie in autumn in the clouds and rocks. (Photo: Collected)
The towering sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie are world-famous, but in autumn, they become even more magical. The leaves change color and mist hangs over the mountain peaks, making the landscape look like something out of the movie Avatar. If you take the cable car to the top of Tianmen Mountain, you will see the entire mountain range dyed in orange and yellow – an experience that will leave you breathless.
7. Hoang Son – Sea of clouds and pine forests
Hoang Son in Autumn – A beautiful scene in ink paintings. (Photo: Collected)
Climbing Mount Huangshan in autumn is both challenging and eye-catching. Stone steps lead to the top of the mountain, flanked by green pine forests interspersed with red maple leaves, and occasionally a sea of clouds rolls over and covers the path. When you reach the top of Guangming Peak, you will see the entire mountain range stretching endlessly below – a sight that makes all your fatigue disappear.
8. Shanghai – Modern and ancient autumn colors
When autumn dyes the modern Bund, Shanghai, China yellow. (Photo: Collected)
Autumn in Shanghai is a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. In the morning, you can leisurely stroll along the Bund, admiring the ancient European buildings in the soft yellow sunlight. In the evening, the sparkling lights reflect on the Huangpu River, both vibrant and romantic. In addition, Wukang Street, famous for its rows of fallen yellow leaves covering the sidewalks, is a popular autumn check-in spot for young Chinese people.
9. Lijiang – Ancient town full of colors
The lyrical beauty of Lijiang ancient town in golden autumn. (Photo: Collected)
The ancient town of Lijiang in autumn has a peaceful beauty that is completely different from that of big cities. Walking through the ancient stone-paved streets, you will see a clear stream flowing across, with ancient wooden houses covered with yellow flowers on both sides. In the evening, when the red lanterns are lit, the whole ancient town is sparkling in the chilly autumn air, making anyone who comes here feel their heart sink.
10. Kunming – Spring city in autumn colors
Kunming – A relaxing destination in autumn. (Photo: Collected)
Although known as the “city of spring”, Kunming in autumn is also worth visiting. The city’s parks and lakes are covered with red and yellow leaves, and the climate is cool and pleasant. In the afternoon, walking around Dianchi Lake, you can sit down at a small tea shop, watch the calm lake surface and enjoy a cup of chrysanthemum tea – a rare feeling of gentleness and relaxation.
III. Experience of traveling to China in autumn
Shanghai – the modern prosperous center. (Photo: Collected)
- Visa procedures and required documents
Vietnamese tourists need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa before leaving, it is best to prepare the documents 3-4 weeks in advance. A passport valid for 6 months, residence documents and a planned itinerary will help speed up the approval process.
- Transportation and travel in China
From Vietnam, you can fly directly to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou. In the country, you should try the high-speed train to experience modern technology and enjoy the scenery along the way.
- Tips for taking photos of red leaves and beautiful scenery
For great photos, visit parks and lakes early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the golden light covers the scene. Hot spots: Forbidden City (Beijing), West Lake (Hangzhou), Huangshan.
Chinese autumn cuisine not to be missed
Spicy hotpot - Famous dish of Sichuan region (Photo: Collected)
Chinese cuisine is famous for its diversity, but autumn brings its own unique flavors that are both warm and associated with festivals and customs. And here are the delicious dishes you should try at least once:
- Peking Duck: Crispy golden skin, tender and sweet meat dipped in soy sauce, served with rice paper and cucumber. Enjoyed in the chilly weather, it is truly the “standard” taste of autumn.
- Spicy Sichuan Hot Pot: There is nothing better than gathering around a steaming pot of hot pot with friends, enjoying the spicy taste of chili and Sichuan pepper. That spicy heat drives away the cold autumn air.
- Mooncakes: Specialties associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Baked cakes with green bean paste, rich salted egg yolks or light cold snow cakes, eaten with a cup of hot tea are the flavors of memories for millions of Chinese people.
- Chrysanthemum Tea: This refreshing tea has a cooling effect and is often drunk by Chinese people in the fall to balance the body. If you have the chance to sit in a tea shop in Hangzhou, sipping chrysanthemum tea while watching West Lake in the fall, there is nothing more poetic.
- Roasted chestnuts: A typical Chinese autumn street snack. The hot, sweet, fragrant chestnuts make you enjoy them while walking around the street, warming your hands and heart.
Experience tours and suggested itineraries for a complete autumn trip to China
Tourists check in during autumn in China. (Photo: Collected)
- Day 1–2: Beijing – Forbidden City, Great Wall
- Day 3: Xi'an – Brave Soldiers and Horses
- Day 4–5: Jiuzhaigou/Zhangjiajie
- Day 6: Hangzhou – Suzhou
- Day 7: Shanghai – The Bund, Nanjing Road
Important notes when traveling to China in autumn
- Wear a light jacket and comfortable shoes
- Avoid “Golden Week” (October 1–7) because of the large number of visitors.
- Exchange RMB in advance, buy 4G SIM or eSIM
- Download Chinese translation app for easy communication
Autumn in China is not only the season of brilliant nature, but also the season of complete experiences - from beautiful scenery, climate, festivals to unique cuisine. If you are looking for a trip that is both romantic and culturally diverse, then the journey through the autumn tourist destinations in China that the article has just suggested will definitely bring you a complete and unforgettable experience.
Don't hesitate any longer, schedule your trip today to experience the charming beauty of Chinese autumn for yourself!
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/kinh-nghiem-du-lich-trung-quoc-mua-thu-v17925.aspx
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