Visiting China in November

November is one of the best months to see the autumn leaves in all their crimson and gold glory, although it’s significantly colder this month as winter begins in earnest. The far north can even see snow this month, and be prepared for subzero temperatures at night if you’re heading into the mountains and hills, so it’s no longer the best time of year to explore the much of Yunnan or the areas close to Tibet.

There still a chance to see the changing shades around the Great Wall in Beijing this month, where it’s quieter, although temperatures can drop down to freezing overnight. It’s similarly cool at Pingyao Ancient City, which has its own vibrant autumn colours, in Xi’an and Datong for its UNESCO World Heritage site temples and caves. Chengdu is also getting cooler, although temperatures hover around 16C this month, so it’s a slightly warmer alternative to the northern cities.

Further south, it’s still around 20C in Guilin and Yangshuo,perfect for cycling along the Li River, but it can feel chilly in the evenings and early mornings. It’s much quieter up by the rice terraces, and can be rainy around Longji and Ping’an, although the sight of mist drifting across the peaks makes for a fairytale scene.

The worst of the humidity and heat is gone in Shanghai, making it less taxing to wander through the city, and discover the surrounding water towns – set around canals, these can feel cooler and damp though. If you’d like to enjoy Hong Kong without the worst of the heat and humidity, this is one of the best months to visit and still far from cold with highs of 23C.

Best for: Autumn colours, Beijing and Xi’an without the crowds, Shanghai, Hong Kong, southern China