15 Best Places to Visit in China in Autumn 2024

Shuzheng Lakes at Jiuzhaigou

Autumn View of Jiuzhaigou Valley

• Type: Geoparks, Forests, Waterscape, Hiking, Photography
• Best Places to Visit There: Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong National Park
• Recommended Trip Length:  1-2 days;

Jiuzhaigou Valley, literally meaning Nine Villages Valley, gets its name because of nine Tibetan fortified villages in the valley. It is a UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site world-famous for its incredibly mystic waterscape, including popping, waterfalls, crystal blue and green lakes, glittering and translucent lakes, flowing springs and forest-covered mountains. Its natural landscape makes travelers, photographers and nature lovers hankering in an endless stream. When autumn comes, the forests in Jiuzhaigou Valley, get dressed with the its most enthralling colors from red to golden, orange and scarlet. The seaweeds at the bottom of the lakes also present a strong hue. Seen from above, it seems like the color of autumn is poured into the water, making Jiuzhaigou Valley the real fairyland in the world. If you want to enjoy the best autumn scenery of China, Jiuzhaigou Valley is undoubtedly one of the best choices.

Huanglong National Park, attractive with magic landscape of lime formations and calcified terrace ponds, is always traveled with Jiuzhaigou Valley. The distance between them is about 110 km and it needs about 2.5 hours' drive. The best gateway to Jiuzhaigou is Chengdu and you can get there from Chengdu by drive or flight. Some travelers also choose to fly to Jiuzhaigou tour from Chongqing or Xian.

▶ Learn more about: How to Plan Jiuzhaigou Trip | Jiuzhaigou Travel Guide | Jiuzhaigou Autumn

Colorful autumn scenery in Yellow Mountain

Tachuan Village with Colorful Village Scenery

• Type: Mountains, Nature & Parks, Culture, Hiking
• Best Places to Visit There: Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Village, Xidi Village, Tunxi Old Street…
• Recommended Trip Length:  3-4 days

Huangshan is named after beautiful Huangshan Mountain (also known as Yellow Mountain). It's is not difficult to learn that Yellow Mountain is the biggest highlight of this city. There are five wonders in the mountain, namely odd-shaped pines, spectacular rocky peaks, sea of clouds, hot spring and winter snow. In fact, Huangshan is suitable to visit all the year around, but visiting in autumn delivers you a more far-reaching vista because of the high visibility. There are four cable cars and several trekking routes equipped in Yellow Mountain. No matter you are a sightseer or a hiking enthusiast, a spectacular experience in the mountain will enjoyed.

More than Yellow Mountain, Huangshan offers many other things to see and to do. What you can't miss is the featured village with white walls and gray titles. Top recommended villages are Hongcun Village and Xidi Village. But you prefer more quiet and low-key ones, Nanping Village, Bishan Village, Chengkan Village… are also remarkable. Traveling in autumn, it is also available to enjoy the picturesque scene of Shaiqu (crops drying). Besides, it is available to take part in many interesting activities, like hiking between the peaceful villages, learning to make local dessert, join in a inksticks-making class,, being a local farm a day, etc.

Magnificent Badaling Great Wall

Summer Palace in Autumn

• Type: Culture, History, Cities, Parks
• Best Places to Visit There: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
• Recommended Trip Length:  3-5 days

Beijing, the charming capital city, is always China's No.1 destination for the first timers. So many cultural wonders preserved in this city to make you jaw-dropping, such as Great Wall with unique precipitousness and spectacularity, Forbidden City full of imperial stories, Summer Palace for royal families, twisting Hutong alleyways, numerous treasured collections in various museums, etc. Of course, you won't fail to savor the modern charm in Beijing. There are supertall skyscrapers towering in Beijing Central Business District and superb architectures in Olympic Park to appreciate. There are also may first-class fashion shows, modern dramas, acrobatic show… taking place in Beijing.

Beijing shows more antique flavor with the warm-toned autumn view. The Great Wall extending into the colorful forests strikes visitors endless imagination. The best sections of the Great Wall to catch an extraordinary autumn scenery include Mutuanyu Great Wall, Badaling Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall and Jinshanling Great Wall. Apart from the Great Wall view, the contrast between yellow gingko tree leaves and red walls in Forbidden City is also a distinctive sight. If you want to see the red leaves, Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hill Park) is a popular place.

Qutang Gorge in Misty Morning

Amazing Yangtze River Cruise

• Type: Mountains, Rivers, Nature, Gorges
• Best Places to Visit There: Chongqing, Yichang, Three Gorges, Three Gorge Dam
• Recommended Trip Length:  4-5 days;

Don't hesitate to take a Yangtze River Cruise if you are interested view magnificent China in a relaxing way. Navigating between Chongqing and Yichang, a 4 or 5 days' downstream or upstream cruise takes you to discover the natural scenery, culture and history of central China along the Yangtze River. Different kinds of ships equipped with advanced facilities, satisfying entertainment, delicious Chinese and western food and friendly staff give you a super holiday. Every detail is taken care of and the only thing you need to do is enjoy.

In the your cruise trip, the scenery contains mountains, rivers gorges and villages. In the late autumn, the mountain are covered with red maple trees, especially Three Gorges which offers a fascinating view. Late October and November are the best time to enjoy flaming leaves. In addition to a comfortable stay and sightseeing experience on the cruise, you will also enjoy wonderful shore excursion. Lots of opportunities will be given to you to enjoy architectures, culture, history and folk customs.

Panoramic View of Kanas Lake

Amazing Autumn Forest in Kanas

• Type: Nature, Lakes, Forests, Grasslands
• Best Places to Visit There: Kanas Lakes, Hemu Village, Bahaba Village,
• Recommended Trip Length:  2-3 days

Kanas means "beautiful and rich, mysterious and unpredictable" in Mongolian, and it is worthwhile to name this land with "Kanas". With the beautiful scenery of lake and surrounding dense alpine forests, Kanas is honored as Oriental Switzerland and Photographers' Paradise. There is a collection of dazzling glaciers, tranquil lakes, virgin forests, snow-capped peaks, verdant grasslands and ethnic customs to discover.

September is the best time to visit Kanas Lake while the autumn foliage against the emerald color of lakes creates such an appealing sight to behold. The weather is comfortable as well because it is not so cold. The scenic area will be closed after the Golden Week in October because of the cold weather. It is available to take a cruise or walk along the lake to enjoy the lake view. Kanas Lake also have several hiking routes. The most popular hiking route is to hike up to Fish Viewing Pavilion where you can enjoy a bird-eye's view of the lake, the snow-capped friendship Peak, and nearby grasslands. To shoot the best scenery of Kanas, photographers always choose to travel between two of Kanas, Wuerhe and Burqin.