September is the golden season for enjoying autumn scenery, savoring autumn charm, and escaping the heat and coolness. From the brilliant red leaves of the northern regions to the gentle water towns of Jiangnan, from the clarity of plateau lakes and seas to the elegant gatherings of ancient capital cities, September in China presents a diverse and poetic travel scene. Here are 13 selected September luxury travel cities/provinces to embark on a luxurious journey with autumn.

1. Yading, Daocheng, Sichuan

Find a pastoral feeling at the Rongluo Cattle Farm

Temperature: Minimum 8 ℃ • Maximum 20 ℃
Highlights: Xiannairi, Yangmaiyong, and Shanuoduoji are the three divine mountains, with autumn sun reflecting snow. The Luorong cattle
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
 farm is colorful like a color palette, and the milk sea and five colored sea are clear like gems.
In September, Daocheng Yading enters its best autumn season, and the Luorong cattle farm at the foot of the mountain is dyed into a colorful palette. The Milk Sea and the Five Colored Sea appear even clearer in the autumn wind, and while hiking, you can feel the shock of the "last pure land of the Blue Planet".
High end accommodations such as the Yading Risong Gongbu Hotel and the Rencun Secret Realm Hotel offer private observation rooms and Tibetan style butler services. Paired with seasonal delicacies such as matsutake stewed chicken and yak meat hotpot, enjoy a taste feast against the backdrop of snow capped mountains. September is also the golden season for shooting starry skies and shining golden mountains, and professional photography teams can be arranged to capture natural wonders.

 

2. Hangzhou

One of the Ten Scenic Spots of West Lake: Leisure Flowers and Sunset

Temperature: Minimum 18 ℃ • Maximum 26 ℃
Highlights: Manjuelong scented osmanthus, wutong trees and residual lotus on the West Lake form a new rhyme of "Ten Sceneries of the West Lake", and the three pools are beautiful in autumn.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Hangzhou is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus flowers. You can stroll along the path of osmanthus trees, enjoy a cup of Longjing tea, and feel the poetic feeling of "osmanthus flowers falling in leisure". The autumn scenery of the West Lake is becoming more and more intense. The wutong in Beishan Street, the residual lotus of the willow waves and the warblers constitute a new rhyme of the "Ten Scenes of the West Lake". You can enjoy the autumn night scenery of the "Three Pools and the Moon" in the boat.
High end accommodations such as Hangzhou Xizihu Four Seasons Hotel and Fayun Anman offer private courtyards and customized tourism services. Enjoy a luxurious holiday in Jiangnan water town with classic Hangzhou cuisine such as crab meat dumplings, Dongpo Braised Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce, etc. September is also a popular season for stargazing and moon watching. You can arrange a night tour of Baoshi Mountain and Hefang Street to enjoy the moon.

 

3. Dali, Yunnan

Dali Erhai Lake, as if oil painting is written into reality

Temperature: Minimum 14 ℃ • Maximum 22 ℃
Highlight: Erhai Lake is blue and transparent, with the snow on Cangshan Mountain and the moon on Erhai Lake forming a beautiful scenery of "wind, flowers, snow, and moon". The rice fields in Xizhou Ancient Town are golden.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Dali has a crisp autumn breeze, and Erhai Lake is blue and transparent. You can take a yacht to enjoy the beautiful scenery of "wind, flowers, snow, and moon" composed of Cangshan snow and Erhai Lake moon. The rice fields in Xizhou Ancient Town are golden, and you can experience rural activities such as rice field cycling and tie dyeing, and feel the unique charm of Bai culture.
High end accommodations such as Dali Erhai Tianyu Hotel and Shuanglang Haitian Living Inn offer sea view rooms and private beach services. Paired with signature dishes such as sour and spicy fish, milk fan ice cream, and Bai ethnic three course tea, enjoy a luxurious vacation in the scenery of Cang'er. September is also a popular season for stargazing and summer retreats, where you can arrange photography of the starry sky in Erhai Lake and experience the culture of the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.

 

4. Wuyuan, Jiangxi

In Huangling Ancient Village, people sun chili peppers and corn, which is called "sun drying autumn"

Temperature: Minimum 12 ℃ • Maximum 22 ℃
Highlight: Huangling Ancient Village is flourishing in the autumn sun, with chili peppers, corn, and pumpkins spread like a palette on the earth, and the red maple trees in Shicheng are beginning to turn red.
Other recommended travel dates: September, October, and November
In September, Wuyuan enters the autumn harvest season, and the "sun drying autumn" landscape of Huangling Ancient Village reaches its peak. Crops such as chili, corn, and pumpkin are laid on bamboo plaques, forming a magnificent picture of the "earth color palette". The red maple trees in Shicheng are starting to turn red, and you can hike through the ancient villages in the morning mist to experience the autumn fairy tale of "the most beautiful countryside in China".
High end accommodations such as Wuyuan Huangling Sunbathing Autumn Beauty Inn and Houtang Manor offer Huizhou style homestays and private courtyard services. Enjoy a luxurious vacation in the Huizhou style architecture and rural scenery, paired with specialty foods such as red carp, steam cake, and Wuyuan green tea. September is also the golden season for photography and stargazing, and professional photography teams can be arranged to capture autumn scenery.

 

5. Ejina Banner, Inner Mongolia

The Populus euphratica forest forms a unique scenic line

Temperature: Minimum 6 ℃ • Maximum 25 ℃
Highlights: The golden miracle of three thousand years of Populus euphratica forest, the sea of Populus euphratica forest by the weak river bank, and the magnificent sunrise in Juyan Sea.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, the Populus euphratica forest in Ejina Banner gradually enters a beautiful state. Three thousand year old Populus euphratica blooms golden in the autumn wind, and you can hike through the sea of Populus euphratica forests along the "weak river bank" to experience the miracle of life of "living and not dying for a thousand years, dying and not falling for a thousand years". The sunrise in Juyan Sea is magnificent, and you can take a boat to enjoy the ecological beauty of reed marshes and the habitat of migratory birds.
High end accommodations such as Ejina Banner Populus euphratica Homestay and Juyanhai Resort Hotel offer private yurts and scenic terrace services. With Roasted whole lamb, Grilled Meat, Milk Skin and other grassland delicacies, you can enjoy a luxurious holiday in the sea of poplar forests. September is also a popular season for stargazing and photography, and professional photography teams can be arranged to capture the autumn scenery of Populus euphratica.

 

6. Qingdao

Qingdao Wheat Island, your big navigation log

Temperature: Minimum 18 ℃ • Maximum 25 ℃
Highlights: gingko yellow and wutong fall at Badaguan Pass, red maple of Laoshan Mountain is gradually dyed, and coastal buildings are beautiful and picturesque.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Qingdao has a crisp autumn. Badaguan "World Architecture Expo" is more beautiful in the autumn sun. You can walk along Juyongguan Road to enjoy the yellow ginkgo leaves, and walk along Shanhaiguan Road to enjoy the fall of wutong leaves. Mount Laoshan is gradually dyed with red maple, and you can hike to Taiqing Palace and Jiushui Tourist Area to experience the autumn Zen atmosphere of "the first famous mountain on the sea".
High end accommodations such as Qingdao St. Regis Hotel and Hanbi Building offer sea view rooms and private beach services. Paired with spicy stir fried clams, seaweed jelly, Laoshan green tea and other seafood delicacies, enjoy a luxurious vacation amidst European architecture and seaside scenery. September is also a popular season for sailing and yacht sailing, and professional coaches can be arranged to guide water activities.

 

7. Benxi, Liaoning

Guanmen Mountain National Forest Park, maple leaves are starting to turn red

Temperature: Minimum 5 ℃ • Maximum 20 ℃
Highlights: The maple leaf forests of Guanmen Mountain and Laobian Gou are all dyed, the stalactites of Benxi Shuidong are crystal clear, and the maple leaf avenue is like fire.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Benxi enters the golden season of the "Maple Leaf Capital". The maple leaves in Guanmen Mountain and Laobian Gou gradually turn red. You can hike through the "Maple Leaf Avenue" and experience the autumn scenery of "stained forests". The autumn atmosphere of Benxi Water Cave gradually intensifies, and the stalactites inside the cave appear even more crystal clear under the autumn sun. You can explore the magical world of the underground river by boat.
High end accommodations such as Benxi Maple Leaf Hotel and Benxi Hot Spring Resort offer private courtyards and hot spring therapy services. Enjoy a luxurious vacation in the sea of maple leaves, paired with specialty foods such as Xiaoshi lamb soup, Benxi roasted bean skin, and Manchu hotpot. September is also a popular season for stargazing and summer retreats, where activities such as mountain stargazing and forest bathing can be arranged.

 

8. Zhangjiajie

Overlooking Tianmen Cave, the entrance to heaven

Temperature: Minimum 15 ℃ • Maximum 25 ℃
Highlights: Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Peak Forest is more majestic in the autumn sun, Tianmen Mountain is surrounded by clouds, and Huanglong Cave stalagmites are magnificent.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, the autumn is crisp in Zhangjiajie, and the Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Peak Forest is more majestic and beautiful under the autumn sun. You can take the cableway up the mountain to enjoy the "Qiankun Column", "The First Bridge in the World" and other strange peaks and rocks. The Tianmen Mountain is surrounded by clouds and mist. You can experience the thrill of the glass walkway and overlook the autumn scenery at the foot of the mountain. The autumn atmosphere of Huanglong Cave gradually intensifies, and the stalagmites and flowers inside the cave appear even more magnificent under the autumn sun.
High end accommodations such as Zhangjiajie Hetianju Resort Hotel and Jingwu Pullman Hotel offer private courtyards and customized tourism services. Enjoy a luxurious vacation in the picturesque scenery of the peak forest, paired with unique dishes such as Tujia San Xia Guo, Rock Ear Stewed Chicken, and Ge Gen Fen. September is also a popular season for stargazing and photography, and professional photography teams can be arranged to capture the wonders of autumn.

 

9. Suzhou, Jiangsu

The small boat is wandering in the Suzhou River

Temperature: Minimum 16 ℃ • Maximum 24 ℃
Highlights: Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden are filled with fragrant osmanthus flowers, rowing boats on Pingjiang Road to enjoy Kunqu opera, and admiring the elegant moon on Huqiu.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, the autumn atmosphere in Suzhou gradually intensifies, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers fills the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque garden scenery of the "Fragrant Snow Sea". Under the slanting autumn sun in the Pingjiang Road historic district, you can take a rowing boat to enjoy the lights on both sides and Kunqu opera performances, experiencing the poetic feeling of "when you come to Gusu to see each other, everyone rests on the river".
High end accommodations such as Suzhou Park Hyatt and Suzhou Yinyu Water Center offer private courtyards and customized travel services. Paired with classic Su style dishes such as Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Stir fried Shrimp, and Su style Mooncakes, enjoy a luxurious vacation in the water towns of Jiangnan. September is also a popular season for stargazing and moon watching. You can arrange a night tour of Tiger Hill for moon watching and the Webmaster Garden.

 

10. Mount Wuyi, Fujian

A building sandwiched between stone walls

Temperature: Minimum 17 ℃ • Maximum 25 ℃
Highlights: Drifting on bamboo rafts in Jiuqu Creek, enjoying the autumn scenery of Danxia, the majestic peaks of Tianyou, the vigorous mother trees of Dahongpao, and the fragrant rock tea.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Mount Wuyi has a crisp autumn, and Jiuqu River bamboo raft rafting can enjoy the scenery of Danxia landform and autumn scenery on both sides. The Tianyou Peak looks more majestic in the autumn sun. You can walk through a line of sky and the Tiger Roaring Rock to feel the charm of "Wuyi Mountains and Waters are the world's wonders". The mother tree of Dahongpao appears more vigorous under the autumn sun, and you can experience rock tea making and tea art performances.
High-end accommodation, such as Mount Wuyi Yuehua Hotel and Mount Wuyi Demaotang, provides private courtyard and customized tourism services. Paired with Wuyi rock tea, Langu smoked goose, red eye fish and other specialty foods, enjoy a luxurious vacation in the picturesque landscape. September is also a popular season for stargazing and photography, and professional photography teams can be arranged to capture the wonders of autumn.

 

11. Qingyuan, Guangdong

The underground river in Lianzhou is known as the ceiling of the karst cave world

Temperature: Minimum 20 ℃ • Maximum 28 ℃
Highlights: The underground river in Lianzhou is fantastic and magnificent, the karst autumn scenery of Yingxi Peak Forest, and the cool and exciting drifting in Gulong Gorge.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, the clear and distant autumn scenery begins to emerge, and the autumn sun shines on the underground river in Lianzhou. You can take a boat to explore the magical world of the underground river and feel the magnificence of "Guangdong's first underground river". The autumn colors of the Yingxi Peak Forest gradually fade, and you can hike through the "Little Guilin" like karst peak forest to feel the tranquility of the pastoral scenery. Drifting in Gulong Gorge in autumn is even more refreshing and exciting, allowing you to experience the thrill of being the "number one drift in South China".
High end accommodations such as Qingyuan Qianli Hotel and Qingyuan New World Hotel offer private courtyards and hot spring treatment services. Paired with specialty dishes such as Qingyuan Chicken, Beijiang River Fresh, and Jiulong Tofu, enjoy a luxurious vacation amidst the picturesque scenery. September is also a popular season for stargazing and summer retreats, where activities such as mountain stargazing and forest bathing can be arranged.

 

12. Dunhuang, Gansu

Entering the Yadan landform of Dunhuang, it feels like stepping into a different world

Temperature: Minimum 12 ℃ • Maximum 25 ℃
Highlights: The majestic flying murals in Mogao Grottoes, the clear crescent moon spring on Mingsha Mountain, the vicissitudes of Yangmen Pass and Yumen Pass, and the profound Silk Road culture.
Other recommended travel dates: September and October
In September, Dunhuang's autumn sky is clear and refreshing, and the Mogao Caves appear even more solemn under the autumn sun. Visitors can enjoy the "Flying Sky" murals and millennium Buddha statues, and experience the profound cultural heritage of the Silk Road. Mingsha Mountain Crescent Spring appears even clearer in autumn, allowing you to ride a camel across the desert and experience the magnificence of the 'solitary smoke of the desert'. The ruins of Yangguan and Yumen Pass show even more vicissitudes under the autumn sun, and one can experience the poetic feeling of 'no old friends leaving Yangguan in the west'.
High end accommodations such as Dunhuang Villa and Dongyi Dunhuang Hotel offer private courtyards and customized tourism services. With Dunhuang donkey meat yellow noodles, apricot skin water, desert Roasted whole lamb and other special foods, you can enjoy a luxurious holiday on the ancient Silk Road. September is also a popular season for stargazing and photography, where desert starry sky photography and Silk Road cultural experiences can be arranged.

 

13. Pingyao, Shanxi

Pingyao Ancient City has stood tall for 2800 years

Temperature: Minimum 8 ℃ • Maximum 20 ℃
Highlights: Red leaves adorn the ancient city walls, the legend of Jin merchants in Rishengchang, the performance in the county government hall restores history, and Pingyao beef is fragrant and mellow.
Other recommended travel dates: March/April/May/September/October/November
The autumn atmosphere in Pingyao gradually intensifies in September, with red leaves adorning the ancient city walls. The Rishengchang ticket number tells the legend of Jin merchants. The county government performs daily "Ascending Hall" performances, restoring ancient judicial scenes and experiencing the historical weight of "the most well preserved ancient city in China".
High end accommodation is recommended at Jinzhai Inn or Yunjincheng Hotel, paired with Pingyao beef, bowl trays, and pickled vegetables, to experience the rich cultural heritage of autumn gatherings and Jin merchants in the ancient city. September is also the golden season for photography and stargazing. You can arrange a night tour of the ancient city and observe the starry sky in the ancient mansion, experiencing the tranquility and romance of the millennium old city.