Top Travel Destinations for September! These 6 Great Spots Will Welcome China's Most Beautiful Early Autumn!

Meaning of Autumn Travel: Autumn is the time to read poetry, take walks, carry your camera to capture fallen leaves, feel the chill by the riverside, and watch sunsets that harmonize with the earth’s vegetation colors. Put on loose clothes and leave behind heavy backpacks. Put on your headphones and go, to encounter your own roasted sweet potato. 01 📍 Xuancheng, Anhui Province The poetic early autumn of a lesser-known Jiangnan. In September, Xuancheng is slightly cool, with fewer people, beautiful scenery, and great value! The average temperature is a comfortable 24°C, warm by day and cool by night, perfect for strolling ancient alleys and hiking with scenic views. ✅ Transportation Flight: Hefei Xinqiao International Airport High-speed train/train: Xuancheng Station ✅ Recommended Accommodation Xuancheng International Youth Hostel, Jingxian Taohuatan Inn, Jixi Huiyuanlou Inn, Guangde Taiji Mountain Villa ✅ Must-visit Attractions Huihang Ancient Trail, Ink Wash Dingxi, Moon Bay, Jixi Longchuan, Shuidong Old Street, Taohuatan, Chaji Ancient Town, Jingtingshan ✅ Local Cuisine Stir-fried Yellow Beef, Red Bean Rice Wine Dumplings, Osmanthus Rice Wine Tofu Pudding, Ice Jelly with Rice Wine Dumplings, Mao Tofu, Oil-braised Noodles ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Xuancheng City Museum → China Crocodile Lake → Jingtingshan → Shuidong Old Street Day 2: Taohuatan → Chaji Ancient Village → Jingxian Moon Bay Day 3: Jixi Longchuan → Jiangnan First Pass → Huihang Ancient Trail → Zhangshan Grand Canyon 02 📍 Mangshi, Yunnan Province The golden fragrance of rice flowers in Mangshi Zhuojiao feels like a gift from God to the earth. The rice fields here roll endlessly, golden and shining like flowing paintings under the sunset. ✅ Transportation Flight: Mangshi International Airport High-speed train/train: Mangshi Station ✅ Recommended Accommodation Mangshi Youth Hostel (such as Lantingju), Mangshi Yuelianzhuang Homestay, Ruili Jingchengdi Sea Hot Spring Center ✅ Must-visit Attractions Shubao Pagoda, Silver Pagoda, Dehong Museum, Golden Pagoda, Lei Ajiang Bookstore, Bodhi Temple, Tuanjie Street, Dai Ancient Town ✅ Local Cuisine Ersi (rice noodles), Paoluda, Aged Tofu, Lemon Corner, Sapie, Shuai Baba, Iced Milk Tea, Beef Steak Stew, Jingpo Green Leaf Banquet ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Shubao Pagoda → Bodhi Street → Bodhi Temple → Xinwan Factory → Menghuan Great Golden Pagoda → Menghuan Silver Pagoda Day 2: Mangshi Square → Tuanjie Street → Bingwu Clothing City → Xingchang Agricultural Market → Dai Ancient Town → Jewelry Town 03 📍 Jinan, Shandong Province Lao She said Jinan’s winter is clear and bright, but before winter arrives, I am already standing by Daming Lake and Baotu Spring. Jinan’s autumn makes me wonder if it’s really autumn yet. ✅ Transportation Flight: Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport High-speed train/train: Jinan Station, Jinan West Station, Jinan East Station ✅ Recommended Accommodation Hanting Hotel (Jinan Baotu Spring Branch), Jinjiang Inn (Jinan Quancheng Road Pedestrian Street Branch), Home Inn (Jinan Daming Lake Branch) ✅ Must-visit Attractions Baotu Spring, Quancheng Square, Kuanhouli, Heihu Spring, Furong Street and Qushuiting Street, Daming Lake, Chaoran Tower ✅ Local Cuisine Sweet Soup, Braised Pork, Sour Dipping Sauce, Large Intestine, Pancake Wrapped with Scallion, Stir-fried Yogurt, Halal Mung Bean Cake ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Wulongtan → Baotu Spring → Quancheng Square → Heihu Spring → Kuanhouli → Furong Street → Daming Lake → Chaoran Tower Day 2: Minzu Street Market → Jingsan Road Old Commercial Area → Hongjialou Church → Shandong Museum → Shandong Art Museum 04 📍 Jinzhong, Shanxi Province Every September, Shanxi’s mountains are dyed in layers of colors, as if nature has spilled its palette. The stunning late autumn scenery is everywhere in Shanxi, no need to search hard. ✅ Transportation Flight: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport High-speed train/train: Jinzhong Station, Pingyao Ancient City Station ✅ Recommended Accommodation Hanting Hotel (Jinzhong Yuci University Town Branch), Qiao Family Courtyard Inn, Jinzhong Xingye Yiyuan Hotel (Yuci District) ✅ Must-visit Attractions Pingyao Ancient City, Qiao Family Courtyard, Yuci Old Town, Mianshan Scenic Area, Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, Chang Family Manor, Shuanglin Temple ✅ Local Cuisine Pingyao Beef, Taigu Cake, Kaolao Lao, Yuci Sausage, Wantuo, Cao Family Smoked Pork, Changshan Yam, Yellow Rice Jelly ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Yuci Old Town → Chang Family Manor → Qiao Family Courtyard Day 2: Xitang Photo Tour → Pingyao Ancient City → See Pingyao Again Day 3: Zhangbi Ancient Fortress → Mianshan → Wang Family Manor 05 📍 Qingdao, Shandong Province Qingdao’s autumn is a romantic encounter between the sea and fallen leaves. Stroll along the tree-lined paths of Badaguan, listen to the rustling leaves, and feel the gentle sea breeze. ✅ Transportation Flight: Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport High-speed train/train: Qingdao Station, Qingdao North Station ✅ Recommended Accommodation Home Inn (Wusi Square Branch), Shankeyou Express Hotel (Qingdao Railway Station Branch), Hanting Hotel (Qingdao Zhanqiao Branch) ✅ Must-visit Attractions Xiaoyushan Park, Signal Hill Park, Wusi Square, Zhanqiao Pier, Navy Museum, Olympic Sailing Center, Badaguan, Yaner Island ✅ Local Cuisine Oysters, Old Qingdao Fatty Meat, Egg Tarts, Oysters, Sea Cucumber Rice, Oil-splashed Scallops, Candied Haw, Qingdao Beer, Clams ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Zhanqiao Pier → St. Michael’s Cathedral → Signal Hill Park → Xiaoyushan Park → Taidong Pedestrian Street Day 2: Badaguan → Second Beach → Wusi Square → Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center → Lover’s Dam → Xiaomai Island Park Day 3: Laoshan Scenic Area → Qingshan Fishing Village → Laoshan Liuqing River Beach → Shilaoren Beach 06 📍 Tengchong, Yunnan Province It would be a pity not to visit Tengchong Ginkgo Village this autumn! Tengchong’s autumn is golden, full of ginkgo trees. It’s a small town surrounded by five volcanoes, with hot springs, ginkgo, and ancient towns. ✅ Transportation Flight: Tengchong Tuofeng Airport High-speed train/train: Kunming Station/Dali Station with transfer ✅ Recommended Accommodation Heshun Ancient Town Inn, Rehai Hot Spring Hotel, Hanting Hotel (Tengchong Feicui Road Branch), Li Family Courtyard Homestay, Heshun Time Youth Hostel ✅ Must-visit Attractions Gaoligong Mountain, Rehai, Ginkgo Village, Yuechun Hot Spring Village, Heshun Ancient Town, Heiyu River, Lotus Bay Scenic Area ✅ Local Cuisine Volcanic Stone Barbecue, Hot Spring Eggs, Stir-fried Rice Cakes, Tree Flower Vegetable Soup, Dai-style Sasa, Sour Pickled Vegetable Hotpot, Thin Bean Jelly ✅ Suggested Itinerary Day 1: Tengchong City → Sanhe Art Museum → Bailian Hot Spring → Heshun Ancient Town Day 2: Diéshuǐ River → National Martyrs Cemetery → Laifeng Mountain → Qiluo Ancient Town Day 3: Beihai Wetland → Volcano Park → Ginkgo Village → Yunfeng Mountain Day 4: Rehai → Tengchong Museum → Simola Wa Ethnic Village → Earth Tea Sea