Visiting China in September

Autumn is on its way this month, with warm days in much of the country but without the worst heat, humidity and rain of the summer, making it a contender for best time to visit China if you’re hoping to see most of the key sights. Typhoon season isn’t over, with September among the months where severe storms are most likely to hit the east and south coast however.

If you venture south to Guilin and Yangshuo, time your trip for the end of the month if possible, as it’s still hot towards the beginning of September. You can find some welcome breezes as your head down the river on a bamboo raft, while up at the rice terraces known as the dragon’s backbone around Longji and Ping’an, you can see vibrant shades of golden and green in the hills, as the rice turns steadily more golden throughout the month.

Further north, temperatures are getting far more pleasant in Beijing this month, hovering around 25-26C, and with fewer crowds at the key sights, it’s also easier to explore the popular attractions including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. It’s a similar temperature in Xi’an with clear, dry days to see the historic city and the Terracotta Warriors, as well as milder weather in Pingyao ancient city, or the Yungang cave complex at Datong.

It’s also a good time to head to Chengdu, where you’ll find more than pandas to tempt you. Combine it with a trip to Songpan in northern Sichuan, where the rains have eased and you’ll spot yak herders on the lush grassy plains, and in the highlands of Xiahe further north. The waterfalls and rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong in Jiuzhaigou National Park are looking their best too after the summer rain, with cooler days to enjoy walking and trekking.

There are more chances to enjoy getting outdoors in Yunnan too, whether you want to take on the challenging trek of Tiger Leaping Gorge, open again after the summer rains, or something less taxing. Enjoy a taste of Tibet in Zhongdian (Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas or follow part of the ancient Tea Horse Road to see one of the last preserved markets on this trade route between China and India. Or discover traditional food in Dali, learn more about local culture in the Naxi villages and wander the enticing cobbled streets of timeless Lijiang at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Festivals: The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place this month (or early October), originally a day to celebrate the year’s harvest. Also known as the Moon Cake festival, moon cakes are traditionally eaten, while families gather together to mark the festival, lighting paper lanterns. Some areas have dragon boat races as well.

Best for: Exploring north and west China, the rice terraces of Longji, trekking and hiking in Yunnan, Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu