Autumn Deity Route Checklist! 5 Popular Destinations + Pitfall Avoidance Guide, Every Photo a Masterpiece

1. Classic Must-Visit: In-Depth Urban Autumn Charm Tour Beijing: A Golden Feast Beneath the Imperial City Walls The Forbidden City in autumn is a natural photography studio, with red walls, yellow tiles, and ginkgo trees overlapping like a painting. It’s recommended to follow the central axis plus the East Six Palaces route, which has gentle slopes friendly to the elderly and photography enthusiasts. Rent a 20 yuan electronic guide device to unlock fun facts like “The Imperial Garden’s ginkgo trees were once admired by Empress Dowager Cixi.” Take the cable car up and down the Badaling Great Wall; for 80 yuan one way, you can easily overlook the mountains dyed in autumn colors, avoiding the fatigue of hiking the wall. For food, don’t just focus on the scenic area surroundings. The donkey roll at Huguosi Snacks and the Ai Wo Wo at Jinfang Snacks are the true old Beijing flavors. For Siji Minfu Roast Duck, it’s recommended to get an online number two hours in advance to avoid long queues. Pitfall alert: Forbidden City tickets must be booked 7 days in advance on the official account; scalpers’ fake tickets have a 30% rate, so avoid them at all costs. Hangzhou: A Slow Journey in the Osmanthus-Scented West Lake In October, West Lake is wrapped in the fragrance of osmanthus. Take the electric sightseeing car around the lake (40 yuan per segment) to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, or spend 150 yuan on a hand-rowed boat, where the boatman will help you find the best photo angles. When praying at Lingyin Temple, remember to bring your ID card; the temple provides three free incense sticks, while vendors outside charge 100 yuan per bundle, which is overpriced. At Longjing Village, you can drink pre-Qingming Longjing tea at a tea farmer’s home for 50 yuan per cup, paired with osmanthus cake—cozy and affordable. Food recommendations include Lou Wai Lou’s West Lake Vinegar Fish and Dingsheng Cake on Hefang Street. Avoid low-cost one-day tour traps; only independent travel can truly experience the poetic saying, “Sunny lake is not as good as rainy lake, rainy lake is not as good as moonlit lake.” 2. Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret Spots: Less Crowded, Beautiful Photo Locations Western Sichuan Ya’an: The Encounter of Red Leaves and Hot Springs In late October, Bifengxia’s red leaves reach their peak viewing period. Stay at a Bifengxia scenic-view guesthouse for around 200 yuan per person. New Trip.com users can get shuttle tickets to the Panda Base. Liao Ji’s clay pot fish is 78 yuan per serving; the female owner will serve warm osmanthus tea. For a late-night soak, visit Nanshuige Hot Springs; the women-only pool requires booking 2 days in advance. Shanxi Wangmangling: The Double Wonders of Sea of Clouds and Red Leaves Here, the sea of clouds appears 70% of the time in October. The newly opened hanging glass observation deck is a perfect photo spot. Wearing a red dress for photos contrasts sharply with the red rock canyon, doubling your chances of great shots. Take the high-speed train from Taiyuan to Jincheng, then transfer to a tourist shuttle directly to the scenic area. Stay at a Taihang Mountain guesthouse; open your window in the early morning to see the magnificent sea of clouds rolling. Sichuan Jiuzhaigou: Colorful Forest Secret Spot Pitfall Guide From late October to November 15, the colorful forests are at their richest layers. Tickets must be booked online 10 days in advance, with a daily limit of 41,000. It’s recommended to stay at a guesthouse near the valley entrance, which is 40 minutes closer than the county town. Dress in a 3-in-1 jacket; remove the inner layer and wear a sweatshirt during the day. Non-local tourists should avoid driving themselves; the mountain roads are challenging and altitude sickness is common. The direct shuttle bus to the scenic area is more convenient. 3. Autumn Photo Secrets: Outfit and Photography Tips Color Matching Formula Refer to the Munsell color system: red walls and ginkgo paired with a beige trench coat, red dress with poplar forest, dark blue long skirt with prairie colorful forest—harmonious and eye-catching. Arxan suits light gray knitwear with beige wide-leg pants; during Benxi’s maple season, wear an orange sweatshirt or burgundy skirt for photos with natural atmosphere. Scene Photography Tips - Ancient Architecture: Stand in front of the Forbidden City’s red walls, use ginkgo leaves as a blurred foreground to highlight layers; at Pingyao Ancient City, choose a century-old courtyard terrace and capture moments of raising hands during afternoon tea. - Nature: At Kanas Moon Bay, shoot backlit mist scenes; at Ejina Banner’s Erdaoqiao, capture poplar reflections; at Jiuzhaigou, use a wide-angle lens to shoot colorful forests and layered waterfalls. - Culture: At Chengdu People’s Park, shoot close-ups of covered bowl tea; at Xi’an City Wall, capture side profiles while cycling—the more natural the action, the better the photo. 4. Practical Pitfall Avoidance and Tips Nationwide Pitfall Avoidance Guide 1. Tickets: Popular spots like the Forbidden City and Jiuzhaigou sell tickets exclusively online; book 7-10 days in advance to avoid scalpers and black guides. 2. Food: Don’t trust “Old Beijing cuisine” signs in Beijing; avoid Jinli in Chengdu and Muslim Quarter in Xi’an; find authentic local old streets where locals gather. 3. Spending: Choose official stores for souvenirs; be cautious buying silver jewelry and medicinal herbs; seafood is cheaper if bought at farmers’ markets and processed there. Travel Reminders When traveling with parents, don’t rush the itinerary; plan 1-2 attractions per day and allow plenty of rest time. Solo female travelers can buy “Safe Travel” insurance, which includes 24-hour hotline service. Trip.com’s 2025 new feature allows real-time price comparison for scenic area combo tickets, saving 30% compared to single tickets, and members earn double points. Autumn and winter have large temperature differences; a thermos, warm packs, and non-slip shoes are essential. Elderly travelers should bring their ID cards, as most attractions offer discounts. This autumn, whether strolling the imperial city with your parents or exploring Western Sichuan alone, follow this guide to avoid traps and capture stunning autumn photos, making every journey warm and unforgettable.