China Autumn Travel Guide: Best Places to See Fall Foliage

Autumn in China is about to begin, and the leaves are turning golden, creating a unique scene. Because China is so vast, with different terrains and climates, the best time to enjoy autumn varies from place to place, and each has its own beauty. Here we’ve prepared a full guide to experiencing autumn in China, so let’s enjoy this gift of nature together.

Note: Each year, due to differences in weather and local conditions, the exact timing of peak autumn colors may vary slightly.

Beijing

Beijing’s autumn is bold in color and grand in scale. It is deeply connected to the city’s history and culture. Here, you can admire historic sites while walking through vast stretches of golden scenery. You’ll see century-old red walls blending with golden leaves, ancient hutongs, solemn temples, and thousand-year-old trees forming a majestic view. Strolling along the golden-lined streets of Beijing also brings the feel of daily life in the city.

Best Time

Mid-October to Mid-November

Recommended Spots

• Ditan Park (地坛公园)
• Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)
• Wusi street (五四大街)
• Lao She Memorial Hall (老舍纪念馆)
• Zhongshan Park (中山公园)
• Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue (钓鱼台银杏大道)
• Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan 香山)
• Summer Palace (颐和园)
• Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan 圆明园)
• Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城)

Shanghai

Shanghai’s autumn features maple leaves, ginkgo, plane trees, and osmanthus. Unlike the grandeur of the north, its beauty lies in the vivid, romantic colors created by city streets, classical gardens, and Republican-era buildings. Plane trees arch over the streets like golden gateways, while shades of red maple leaves bloom in the gardens. The blend of nature and culture here creates a scene that is both classical and romantic.

Best Time

Late October to Early December

Recommended Spots

• Lu Xun Park (鲁迅公园)
• Guhua Garden (古华园)
• Qiuxia Garden (秋霞圃)
• Huilongtan Park (汇龙潭公园)
• Shanghai Botanical Garden (上海植物园)
• Yanzhong Square Park (延中广场公园)
• Wukang Road (武康路)
• Jumen Road (局门路)
• Ancient Tree Park (古树公园)
• Hengfu Historic Area (衡复历史文化风貌区)
• Huangjincheng Pedestrian Street (黄金城道步行街)
• Gongqing Forest Park (共青森林公园)

Xinjiang

The most famous scenery in Xinjiang is in northern Altay, especially Kanas and its surroundings, often called “the garden of the gods.” Autumn here is one of the most striking natural landscapes in China, completely different from city views. Siberian larch, birch forests, and Tuva villages create a raw, breathtaking beauty of nature.

Best Time

Late September to Mid-October

Recommended Spots

• Kanas Lake (喀纳斯湖)
• Kanas Three Bends (喀纳斯三道湾)
• Baihaba Village (白哈巴村)
• Koktokay (可可托海)

Sichuan

Sichuan’s autumn landscapes are mainly in two areas: the western Sichuan plateau and Chengdu city. In western Sichuan, snow-capped mountains, deep blue lakes, and golden forests create a vivid scene, making it one of China’s most iconic natural autumn landscapes. In Chengdu, the autumn is more about daily life, with golden leaves scattered across the city streets, and trees glowing with color at every corner.

Best Time

Western Sichuan

Mid-October to Early November

Chengdu

Mid-November to Early December

Recommended Spots

Western Sichuan

• Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟)
• Daocheng Yading (稻城亚丁)
• Bipeng Valley (毕棚沟)
• Guangwu Mountain (光雾山)
• Xinduqiao (新都桥)

Chengdu

• People’s Park (人民公园)
• Jinxiu Lane (锦绣巷)
• Wenshu Monastery (文殊院)
• Du Fu Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂)
• Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠)
• Daci Temple (大慈寺)
• Baihuatan Park (百花潭公园)
• Baiguolin Ginkgo Road (白果林银杏路)

Yunnan

Yunnan’s autumn is a mix of golden rice fields, colorful trees, flowers, lakes, and blue skies. The golden fields and diverse trees are its highlights.

Best Time

Late September to Early October (timing varies as spots are scattered across Yunnan)

Recommended Spots

• Dongchuan Red Land, Kunming (东川红土地)
• Xizhou Rice Fields, Dali (喜洲古镇稻田)
• Potatson National Park, Shangri-La (普达措国家公园)
• Ginkgo Village, Tengchong (银杏村)
• Lugu Lake, Lijiang (泸沽湖)

Guangxi

Guangxi’s most beautiful autumn scenery is around Guilin. Vast golden terraced fields and ancient villages create a perfect blend of nature and culture. Guilin’s Haiyang Township in Lingchuan, known as “China’s No.1 Ginkgo Village,” has over a million ginkgo trees, turning the whole area golden.

Recommended Spot 1

Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田)

Best Time: Late September to Mid-October

Recommended Spot 2

Haiyang Ginkgo Village (海洋乡银杏)

Best Time: Late November to Early December

Chongqing

Chongqing, a mountain city, has two autumn scenes: fiery red mountain forests stretching endlessly, and golden ginkgo-lined city streets.

Recommended Spots

Greater Chongqing

• Three Gorges (三峡)
• Nanchuan Wangshanping (南川王山坪)
• Wulong Fairy Mountain (武隆仙女山)

Main City Area

• Chongqing University (重庆大学)
• Central Park (重庆中央公园)
• Nanbin Road / Beibin Road (南滨路/北滨路)

Best Time

Because Chongqing has large altitude differences, peak times vary by location.

Nanchuan Wangshanping & Wulong Fairy Mountain

Mid-October to Mid-November

Three Gorges

Late November to January

Main City Area

Early November to Early December

Suzhou, Jiangsu

Suzhou’s autumn has the elegance of Jiangnan. Red maples, golden ginkgo, and classical architecture blend into a refined Chinese aesthetic. The highlight is the Humble Administrator’s Garden, where every tree was carefully chosen to harmonize with the landscape, showcasing Jiangnan’s garden artistry at its peak.

Recommended Spots

• Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园)
• Tiger Hill (虎丘山风景名胜区)
• Tianping Mountain (天平山)
• Dinghui Temple (定慧寺)

Best Time

Late November to Early December

Nanjing, Jiangsu

Nanjing, an ancient capital of six dynasties, is known for autumns filled with history and poetry. Golden plane-tree streets, thousand-year-old temples with ginkgo, and gardens full of red maples make it one of the most atmospheric cities in autumn.

Recommended Spots

• Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (明孝陵景区, with Shixiang Road inside, known as one of China’s most beautiful autumn streets)
• Linggu Temple (灵谷寺)
• Yihe Road Villas (颐和路公馆区)
• Xuanwu Lake Park (玄武湖公园)
• Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum (中山陵景区)
• Meiling Palace (美龄宫)
• Qixia Mountain (栖霞山)
• Jiming Temple (鸡鸣寺)

Best Time

Late October to Early December

Wuyuan, Jiangxi

Wuyuan’s autumn is diverse. Besides scenery, you can also experience local traditions. The “sun-drying autumn” custom sees villagers drying harvests like chilies and corn on rooftops and courtyards, creating colorful patterns unique to the season. Here, you see not just autumn beauty, but also authentic rural life. Golden chrysanthemums on terraces, Huizhou-style architecture, old ginkgo trees, and ancient pathways complete the picture.

Recommended Spots

• Huangling (篁岭景区)
• Shicheng (石城)

Best Time

Late October to Late November