Golden autumn in China

Shenzhen's semi-permanent summer climate is nice, but some of us crave a real autumn experience complete with mountains decked out in full autumnal glory, golden leaves falling from trees, flying around like dancing butteries, and covering walkways with a gilded carpet.

China National Geography once traveled the country from Arxan in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan, crossing mountains, lakes, valleys, deserts, forests, wetlands, prairies, urban areas and countryside, with the sole purpose of identifying the most captivating autumn spots in China. Here we list some of them for you:

《中国国家地理》曾从中部走到最西部，从祖国的最南边到走到最北边，从内蒙古阿尔山走到四川阿坝九寨沟。在名山秋色、湖泊秋色、峡谷秋色、沙漠秋色、森林秋色、湿地秋色、草原秋色、城区秋色、村镇秋色中紧密探寻，只为寻找中国最美秋色，下面为大家精心介绍4处秋季佳景：

Striking scenery at Lake Kanas

喀纳斯

低调奢华，自然中的金山银山

Hemu Village near Lake Kanas.

September means the beginning of the golden season for Lake Kanas, which nestles deep in the forests and mountains of Altay near the very northern tip of Xinjiang.

一进入9月，喀纳斯地区便进入了纯金的时节。天高云淡，蓝天如洗，层林尽染，满目流金，深绿的山坡上透出一片片黄枝红叶相间、青山白雪相连的色块，湖畔的白桦、红松、冷杉等树木会以金黄、橙红、黛绿等交叉的色彩，烘托着山顶耀眼的雪色，投映在翡翠石般的喀纳斯湖上，光彩夺目，令人沉醉。此时也是摄影的最佳时节。

In autumn, Lake Kannas presents a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green hues.

The lake is 1,374 meters above sea level with the deepest point at 188.5 meters. In autumn, it presents a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green, making for sights that excite the senses.

White birch, red pines and firs around the lake together with white snow adorning mountain tops all reflect on the serene lake surface, providing a rare angle for breathtaking photos. A blending of prairies, mountains, forests, plains, glaciers and wetlands make this sacred area a holy land for shutterbugs and nature aficionados.

Best fall foliage period in Beijing

北京

京城如此唯美，北平之秋便是天堂！

Red leaves in Xiangshan Park is a landmark in Beijing in autumn.

“In autumn, I must stay in Beijing. I don’t know what paradise looks like, but from my life experience, Beijing in autumn is paradise,” said celebrated Chinese writer Lao She in one of his books.

Autumn is the best season for Beijing travel, not only because it has tenderly warm sunshine and brilliant blue skies, but also because of the gorgeous scenery. Without the disturbance of summer heat and winter frigidity, people can enjoy a most comfortable atmosphere in which to breath in crisp air and enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities.

Climbing the Great Wall and feasting your eyes on the spectacular scenery of red leaves in Beijing’s mountainous areas are two must-dos when visiting the capitol in autumn. The Badaling section of the Great Wall, looking like a huge dragon crawling over peaks of rich colors, will definitely wow you.

爬长城、赏红叶，这两件秋天来北京必做的事情。八达岭长城，回望万里长城如同一条巨龙，匍匐在色彩斑斓的群山之上，你会被这幅气势磅礴的秋日画卷所震撼。

Baiwangshan Forest Park, 3 kilometers north of the famous Summer Palace, also offers an excellent view of enchanting red leaves in autumn. Situated in Haidian District, this park occupies an area of more than 130 hectares, with some 95 percent covered by various plants and trees.

In autumn on the mountain is beautifully decorated with splendid red foliage. The common smoke tree is the main species, while the intoxicating red leaves on the torch trees resemble countless burning lanterns on the mountain.

Diaoyutai Ginkgo Avenue, located outside the east wall of Diaoyutai State Guest House in Xicheng District, is one of the capital’s most popular gingko-viewing areas and a nice place to enjoy fall colors without leaving the city center. Don’t miss it when you visit Beijing.

Changbai Mountain, a palette of wild colors

长白山

来到长白山，才知道秋色还能如此撩人！

View of Changbai Mountain.

The fact that autumn in the north is the most beautiful is beyond dispute. Changbai Mountain, recognized for its splattering of color during autumn, is a representative of northern fall beauty. Changbai is a mountain range that extends from Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces in Northeast China to North Korea.

北方的秋天最美，这是无可争议的事实，而长白山的秋天五颜六色，更是北方秋色的代表。说是如诗如画可能有人会觉得夸张，但是当你真的置身于这张画布里，你才能体会到它那难以言表的美丽。

The mountain is named so because its main peak, Baitou Mountain (White-head Mountain), is covered with white rocks and thick snow. Most of the peaks reach 2,000 meters above sea level.

The mountain resort is nothing less than flamboyant when autumn comes around, making it look like a spilled paint palette. The gorgeous folliage, the evergreen coniferous forest, tier upon tier of birch groves, and the tundra in a symphony of color present a stunning autumn view.

Changbai Mountain is also home to a cluster of dormant volcanoes. Over 100 volcanic sites scatter about the mountain. The altitude of the largest volcano is about 2,600 meters above sea level, with a diameter of roughly 4.5 kilometers and a depth of about 800 meters. The view of the crater from its rim is very impressive.

Picturesque autumn scenery in Hulun Buir

呼伦贝尔 大兴安岭

林海茫茫、秋色弥漫、如诗如画

The fertile prairie in Hulun Buir provides an ideal area for farmers to keep their animals.

Some people comment that Hulun Buir is more beautiful in summertime, with green dousing every scene; even the air seems to be green with freshness. But a mild summer is not all Hulun Buir has to offer.

有人说呼伦贝尔的夏天最美，绿的铺天盖地，绿的生机勃勃，仿佛连清新的空气也是绿色的。也许你对呼伦贝尔的全部感情都投给了夏天，却全然不知秋天里更是别有另一番味道。

As temperatures drop, Hulun Buir Prairie takes on a new look with yellowing grass and forests, providing tourists as well as photographers with stunning scenery. The fertile prairie provides an ideal area for farmers to keep their animals.

Considered the “most unsullied prairies” in China, Hulun Buir Prairie in northeastern Inner Mongolia, welcomes autumn with golden grass and fattened animals. Blessed with four seasons, this place is endowed with an abundance of picturesque landscapes that has never failed to mesmerize any of the visitors that have set foot on this land.

Named after the Hulun and Buir lakes, the grasslands feature forests, rivers and lakes. After May, the green grassland is dotted with colorful flowers, birds, and cattle and sheep scatter among the grasses. When you come here, don’t miss out on local activities, including horseback and camelback riding, horse racing and wrestling.