September is one of the best months for travelling China weather-wise. Compared to the summer holiday peak season and October's National Day holiday, September is less crowded, which means a better travel experience.
The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival usually falls in September, bringing with it a great cultural atmosphere but crowds of Chinese travelers. In 2019, it falls on September 13. We list six best places to visit in the cool September.
1. Beijing
Beijing has four distinct seasons: blowy spring (sometimes with sandstorms), burning hot summer, cool autumn, and chilly winter. So, autumn is the peak season for travelling to Beijing, however, the most recommended month is September.
The low rainfall (46 mm (2 in)) and moderate temperatures (on average 14 °C (57 °F)–26 °C (79 °F)) can make your tour in Beijing smoother and more enjoyable.
Beijing has some of China's best World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven. In this historical capital city, you can maximize your appreciation of Chinese culture and history.
- Recommended tour: 4-Day Essence of Beijing Tour
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. more
Feb 2024, apisn2023
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! more
Feb 2024, Apis
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. more
Feb 2024, Nicola B
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3rd time the charm, is being charmed for the 3rd time.
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan Mueller
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3rd time the charm, is charmed for the 3rd time
The sites stay the same but each time we have done this tour, the tour guides manage to make it feel like it is the first time you are experiencing it. And, with the constant renovations, this time we were able to see previous areas that were unavailable the last time we came. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan M
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Great trip and experience!
From beginning to end, China Highlights was very courteous, responsive and attentive in planning and executing a great trip!Aspects and execution of the trip was as discussed and was an overall great experience. Our guide, Michael, was very kind and knowledgeable throughout the tour and would address all questions and help us take lots of photos. Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more
Feb 2024, Karol
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3rd the charm is charmed for the 3rd time
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, jkjmueller
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1 Day in Beijing
Nice views, Not too much people, Jessi (guide ) so friendly and she have a great service & she knows the answer of all your questions more
Feb 2024, Fernando J
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Fabulous day!
Jesse He ,she is a nice tourist guide patience and take good care for us. We had a wonderful time in Beijing,we did the forbidden city and greatwall We love everything ! more
Feb 2024, Charon R
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs more
Jan 2024, Iriana Iriana
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An excellent day with Linda
Linda (Ling ling)is a great tour guide,provide a lot of knowledge and history of the great wall,and took us to taste very delicious food too,we had a very good time with her!highly recommend her! more
Jan 2024, Angeline Lim
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Great time in Beijing with Bruce
We stayed in Beijing for three days altogether. We went to the summer palace. the Tian'an'men square, the Forbidden City,the Temple of heaven and the Great Wall. Our tour guide Bruce is very friendly and speaks English fluently. He explained every scenic spot to us patiently and humorously. my family are very satisfied with his service. more
Jan 2024, Mayra C
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Bucket List Trip to China
My first stop in China was Beijing. Ethan was my guide there. Daily, they would pick me up and take me to the spots on the itinerary. He helped me plan outside activities like a Chinese acrobat show. He even walked me to my seat in my theater so I could easily find my correct chair. What was most helpful was Ethan waiting with me at the train station and even helping me on to my seat and giving the train attendant my meal order. Very little English was spoken by the train attendant. more
Jan 2024, Megan Sandbothe
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Great Wall at Jinshanling
We went to the Great Wall at Jinshanling which is a very beautiful place which is not that busy. In fact most of the time it felt like we were alone on the wall.The tourguide (Jack) was very knowledgeable and very friendly.A big thumbs up more
Jan 2024, Onno
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs. We had great 3 days in Beijing.We also visited Luoyang. Our travel advisor arranged a Business class seat for our high speed train to Luoyang. We were picked up at the station by our guide in Luoyang, Lisa. We then visited Dengfeng to see Songyang academy, shaolin temple, Luoyang grottoes. She also took care of us very well and very knowledgeable about the history. more
Jan 2024, lriana lriana
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing! more
Jan 2024, Lydia
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing more
Jan 2024, Explore49612084715
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Beijing
Fantastic couple days in Beijing. Thank you to my guide Mark who eloquently relayed stories about China history and culture. more
Jan 2024, Steve P
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Jack is an excellent guide
Jack is an excellent guide, very patient, punctual, wonderful command of english. I recommend him any day. more
Jan 2024, Brahma
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Great intro to 🇨🇳
Candy was fabulous right from the start. She was knowledgeable, passionate and a lot of fun. Our introduction to China and Beijing was an interesting and memorable one!! more
Jan 2024, Jo66
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2. The Yellow Mountains
The Yellow Mountains is one of the most famous and beautiful mountainous areas in China. The peculiar-looking pine trees and rocks, the seas of clouds (which make the mountains and trees much more mystical), and the hot springs are the four highlights of the Yellow Mountains.
Though the Yellow Mountains is worth a visit all the year round, September is the most recommended moth to visit. Because the burning sun of summer has gone, autumn has added a cool mystery to the Yellow Mountains. It is easier to come across seas of clouds and see sun rises (less rain).
The average temperature in the Yellow Mountains in September is 14 °C or 66 °F. The temperature difference between day and night is big, so remember to bring warm clothes.
Winter comes early in the Yellow Mountains, lasting from late October (begins to snow) to March, so the later you visit in September the more likely you are to see fall colors.
- Recommended tour: 3-Day the Yellow Mountains and Hongcun Village Tour
3. Shanghai
Shanghai is always popular, but September is especially suitable because of its more comfortable weather, and less crowding than in summer or early October.
You can stroll on the Bund along the Huangpu River and admire the historical architecture one side and gleaming skyscrapers the other. Or take a cruise to enjoy Shanghai's classic skyline views.
Alternatively, go up the highest building in Shanghai — the Shanghai Tower — and have a bird's-eye view of the city.
The surrounding water towns become cooler and more conducive to explore in September. Take a day trip to Zhujiajiao, a water town with fascinating canals, bridges, and architecture, and relax on a punted boat.
- Experience the Charming Shanghai and Water Town in our 2-Day Shanghai's Old and New Collision.
4. Chengdu
August is the month when most giant pandas give birth to cubs. If you visit Chengdu in September, you will have a great chance to see new-born or baby pandas. Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center is the best place to see baby pandas. See The Top 4 Places to See Giant Pandas in China.
The weather is comfortable, with less rain and clearer skies than in summer. It is a good idea to extend your trip to the adjacent mountain scenic areas if you visit Chengdu in September.
One of its best scenic areas is Jiuzhaigou. It sees its best scenery in fall, when the leaves turn golden and red, striking a lively contrast with its clear and emerald lakes. The colors are so vivid, it looks like an oil painting.
- Discover the charm of Chengdu in our 2-Day Panda Keeper and Chengdu Highlights Tour.
5. Yuanyang
Yuanyang is a county in the southeast of Yunnan Province. It is famous for its terraced fields. The spectacular view from the scenic mountain terraces in autumn harvest season is definitely amazing. When the rice ripens, turning the hills a brilliant yellow color, with the terraced structure creating a myriad of golden tiers.
The terraced paddy fields wind from the valley bottoms up to the top, like, from a distance, great chains or ribbons as they wind their way around the contours of the mountain slopes in parallel, tiered bands.
- Discover the beauties in the southeast of Yunnan in our 6-Day Jianshui and Yuanyang Tour.
6. Fenghuang Ancient Town
Fenghuang Ancient Town, a graceful town near the mountain and by the river, is renowned for its natural beauty, unique wooden buildings, and colorful ethnic customs (especially Miao Minority and Tujia Minority).
Generally speaking, Fenghuang Ancient Town is worth a visit all the year round. But, if you want to see the most beautiful Fenghuang Ancient Town, spring and autumn are recommended.
However, it always drizzles in spring, which may bring some inconvenience for outdoor activities. Hence, autumn, and especially September, is the best time for visiting this beautiful ancient town.
Cool weather, clear skies, less crowds (because summer holiday in China has finished), and rare rainfall will make your travel smoother.
Traveling to the town during weekends and Chinese public holidays is still not recommended, as there are more visitors, and hotels and restaurants raise their prices.
- Recommended tour: 7-Day Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour
Visit These Beautiful Places with Us
Can't wait to discover the above destinations, or do you want to explore more hidden gems? Having explored many facets of China, our specialists can help you to maximize your travel experience by suggesting the optimal trip.
Tell us your requirements and one of our specialists will be in touch to plan a unique trip for you.
Here are our two most-chosen sample itineraries for your reference:
- The Golden Triangle: Beijing – Xi'an – Shanghai (8 days)
- Classic Wonders: Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai (11 days)
See more customizable China tour ideas.