From September to November, autumn in China is something worth expecting. With floating clouds, clear sky, gradually colorful autumn scenery and decreasing temperature but not too cold, autumn is definitely a favorable time to travel China. The gingko trees and maple are especially beautiful in autumn. The leaves are changing into red or bright gold and fall on the sidewalk like a yellow carpet. Also it is a perfect season to spend a great deal of time outside for a sightseeing trip. To better plan a China autumn tour, here we have gathered useful information about China in autumn such as the weather, recommended places to visit, what to wear & pack and some travel tips for your reference.
When is the Autumn Time in China
Generally speaking, autumn in China is from September to November. But as China is a vast country with various landforms, the weather of China in autumn shows noticeable regional disparities.
In northern China (Beijing, Xian, Shandong, Luoyang, Pingyao…), it is cool or even a little hot in September, then you will feel a clear temperature decrease in October and November. The precipitation is dropping and the wind is getting stronger. In eastern China (Shanghai, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing…) and southern China (Guilin, Zhngjiajie…) the weather is alike but there are more rainy days in early autumn and the wind is not so strong. As for southwestern China (Chengdu, Kunming, Guizhou, Chongqing…), the weather is milder with occasional rain. In northeastern China (Harbin, Jilin, Shenyang…), autumn is short and it feels like winter even though it is only October. In southern coastal cities (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau, Xiamen…), it is still rainy in September and then the weather becomes gradually travel-friendly. It is cool in autumn with the temperature slightly decreasing. In northwestern China (Gansu, Xinjiang, Ningxia…) and Qinghai-Tibet plateau, it is mostly sunny and dry but still cold at night, so you need to pay close attention to the large temperature difference in case of getting a cold. Inner Mongolia covers a vast region from west to east, but generally speaking, it is cool in September and cold in late autumn and the sunlight is strong at noon.
Where to Travel in China in Autumn
It is no exaggeration to say that it is suitable to travel any place in China in autumn. Among them, the top cities are Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven), Shanghai (the Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai World Financial Center), Xian (Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter), Chengdu (Panda Base, Jinli Old Street, People’s Park)… Popular destinations show their own charms in this beautiful season. If you are traveling to Guilin, it is very relaxing to take a Li River cruise and you can see the golden rice terraces. Zhangjiajie is still the amazing Avatar world with the forests gradually changing color, fairyland Jiuzhaigou Valley is the most beautiful in autumn, Yunnan with both rich minority culture and natural landscape offers you different travel experiences in ancient towns, snow mountains, and tropical forests. Of course, there are some featured autumn scenes such as the red leaves along the Yangtze River, the dreamlike Kanas Lake in Xinjiang, special scene of crops-drying in ancient villages in Wuyuan and around Huangshan, magnificent Ejina Poplar Forest in Inner Mongolia.
China Weather in September
• Avg Temperature:16℃-26℃ • Avg Rainfall: 85mm
September is the first month of autumn, so it remains some features of summer in many areas. In early September, it is still very hot and in cities like Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, the temperature can reach 30℃, in southern cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Xiamen, it is likely to be 36℃, while in the high-altitude area such as Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and western Sichuan, it is colder and about 20℃. There are some rainy days especially in the southern part and mountainous area. In middle and late September, both rainfall and temperature drop and the weather is very comfortable for travelling
