November is the middle of China's autumn when you can see the most gorgeous fall colors in and around the cities. It is the best season to capture the fall foliage of nature and enjoy outdoor activities with your family and friends.
These five destinations are the most recommended because the natural scenery there is really fabulous and they are suitable for outdoor activities such as photography and trekking.
1. Beijing — Great Weather and Fall Colors
November is one of the best seasons to visit Beijing, followed by May and June. It is cool and comfortable, and sometimes breezy.
The whole city becomes more charming and elegant painted by the red walls of the ancient architectures and the golden foliage in the parks and Beijing's suburbs. It is a great time to explore Beijing's suburbs, where the ancient temples are covered with red leaves and golden ginkgoes.
Hiking along the Badaling and Mutianyu Great Wall or camping on the Great Wall to appreciate the spectacular autumn views and enjoy the fresh air is a good idea. We can take you to the wild parts of the Great Wall, which is a unique way to travel around Beijing.
The Great Wall- 2-Day Jiankou Wild Great Wall Camping Tour
- 4-Day Beijing Highlights and Great Wall Night Tour
- More Beijing tours
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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7 day Beijing trip with China Highlights
We were in Beijing for 7 days and went to the Great Wall, Gubei Watertown, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Confucius Temple, Ming and Qing Tombs. Also went to watch the Acrobatic Show and the Golden Mask Show. The views are fantastic and the shows are amazing. Our tour guide, Colin, from China Highlights was awesome. He planned our itinerary flawlessly and took us to restaurants that served great authentic local food. Colin is very caring of my elderly mother and provided superb service. Thank you, Colin, for making my trip memorable. more
Mar 2025, Adrene
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Best tour guide ever
Extremely delighted with my Beijing tours. I was so fortunate to get Mark as my guide. and Hang to patiently drive us everywhere.Mark is extremely knowledgeable. witty and caring. Hang is sweet and mindful of my age. I am also grateful to Leaky of China highlights for planning an incredible itinerary for me. more
Mar 2025, Pope Kavita Michelle
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A day in Beijing with Jiang
We had a day trip to visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Our guide Jiang organised all our transportation, ticketing and food needs, such that we did not have to worry about a thing. Jiang also spoke fluent English and was passionate about sharing the history behind the Great Wall and Forbidden City which we explored for 3 hours each on foot. more
Mar 2025, Bryan
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2. The Yellow Mountains
The Yellow MountainsThe Yellow Mountains are colorful in autumn. The mountains are magnificent covered by red maples and interspersed with yellow fruits under the white clouds and blue sky. November is an ideal season to climb the Yellow Mountains due to the weather being neither hot nor cold.
If you are keen on outdoor activities, you can bring a tent to spend the night at the back of the mountain. Wake up in the early morning (about half past four) to appreciate the fabulous sunrise. Apart from the natural scenery of the Yellow Mountains, the human culture and ancient architectures in the folk villages near the Yellow Mountains can also make you feel deeply impressed, such as the famous Hongcun Village and Tunxi Ancient Street. Read more on the Yellow Mountains
Location: the Yellow Mountain area is located in Eastern China's Anhui Province, about 300 km (200 miles) west of Hangzhou, and 500 km (300 miles southwest of Shanghai).
3. Zhangjiajie
ZhangjiajieIn November, Zhangjiajie turns into a romantic and poetic world veiled by fog. The steep cliffs and plants in the mountains are more beautiful. The mountains in Zhangjiajie are quite different from other mountains in China, which are separated into small cliffs. Why not take a side trip to visit Fenghuang Ancient Town to be intoxicated and feel relaxed in the tranquil and peaceful environment?
Also read How to Plan a Tour of Zhangjiajie.
Location: Zhangjiajie is located in South China's Hunan Province, about 336 km (208 miles) from Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province.
4. The Western Sichuan
DaochengPlanning a hiking tour in Western Sichuan Province in autumn is much more exciting! It is one of the most popular hiking routes in China, starting from Chengdu, passing through Xinduqiao, Yading, Daocheng, and arriving at Luding Bridge. This route can really deeply explore nature in the south-west of China. You can see the stunning fall scenery throughout the trip, combined with the blue sky and pure snow covered mountains.
The Tibetan culture is a highlight in the Western Sichuan Province. Visiting the ancient monasteries and Tibetan houses is very meaningful and interesting.
5. Jiuzhaigou
JiuzhaigouThe different colors of the four seasons in Jiuzhaigou are fantastic. Jiuzhaigou's spring is grassy and full of vitality, and summer is verdant and exuberant. In autumn, Jiuzhaigou is splendid. The colorful plants reflect on the sparkling and translucent lakes under the bright blue sky.
Trekking along the little path into the dense forest in Jiuzhaigou, you may meet with some rare animals and plants. At the end of November, you may witness the beginning of winter in Jiuzhaigou. Don't forget to take pictures of the memorable moments.
Location: Jiuzhaigou National Park is in the west of Sichuan Province, 415 kilometers west of Chengdu (257 miles).
Tour China with Us
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. All our tours can be customized. We will create a trip for your vacation according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.
If you have a preferred place to visit in addition to the above, please contact us and we could also make an itinerary for you.