The ultimate autumn travel guide! 6 hidden destinations to avoid the crowds and flood your social media with stunning photos!!

1. Northern Red Leaf Feast: Hidden Routes Full of Surprises (1) Miyun, Beijing: More than just the autumn romance of Gubei Water Town When thinking of autumn in Beijing, most people first think of Xiangshan, but few know that Miyun hides a more tranquil red leaf secret spot. The autumn season at Gubei Water Town has reached its prime viewing period. At 6 a.m., the Simatai Great Wall is less crowded and breathtaking, with red leaves faintly visible in the sea of clouds. Standing beside Wangjing Tower, you can capture stunning shots of the winding Great Wall intertwined with red leaves using a telephoto lens. To avoid crowds, head straight to Tanghe Ancient Village on the west side of the water town. Here, the poplar forest and red leaves complement each other beautifully, with fallen leaves covering the ground, rustling underfoot, and every snapshot looks like a cinematic masterpiece. Recommended accommodation is the “Great Wall Book House” inside the water town. Trip.com packages cost about 600 RMB per person, including breakfast for two and hot spring experiences. You can see the beacon tower right from your window, and soaking in the private hot spring at night while stargazing is incredibly relaxing. Don’t miss the “Simagang Restaurant” in the ancient town, which recently launched chestnut braised pork that is rich but not greasy, paired with local hawthorn juice to refresh your palate. For transportation, take the tourist shuttle from Dongzhimen for a 2-hour direct trip. During the red leaf season, there are two daily “Red Leaf Special Trains” decorated with red leaf themes, creating a festive atmosphere in advance. (2) Chengde, Hebei: The Golden Ocean of Saihanba Autumn in Saihanba is a colorful celebration. From late September to mid-October, the grasslands shed their green for golden and orange hues. We recommend driving the “Yuke Line,” where the birch forests form a golden tunnel. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the road, and stopping by the roadside offers perfect spots for stunning road photos. For a deeper experience, stay at the “Saihanba Forest Hotel” deep in the grasslands. Booking through Trip.com offers a 20% discount. The hotel has exclusive hiking trails where you can walk with a guide through the forest at dawn and encounter foraging squirrels and elk. A must-do activity is boating on the “Qixing Lake Wetland,” where the lake reflects the colorful trees. Rowing a wooden boat slowly feels like stepping into a painting. At dusk, be sure to visit the “Kangxi General’s Platform” to watch the sunset, which dyes the grasslands orange-red, perfect for wallpaper-worthy photos. A reminder: Saihanba’s autumn has large temperature differences between day and night, so even if the sun is shining at noon, bring a windbreaker to avoid catching a cold. 2. Poetic Journey in East China: The Tenderness of Ancient Towns and Landscapes (1) Suzhou, Jiangsu: Autumn Elegance in the Gardens Autumn in Suzhou is hidden in its classical gardens. In October, the Humble Administrator’s Garden begins to show yellow ginkgo and red maple leaves, set against white walls and black tiles, like a traditional ink painting. Enter at 7 a.m. to avoid tour groups. Pause under the maple tree beside the “With Whom to Sit Pavilion,” where sunlight filters through the leaves onto the bluestone path, creating beautiful light and shadow. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, visit “Yipu,” a lesser-known garden with fewer tourists. Inside, a century-old ginkgo tree with lush branches shades a tea table where you can order a pot of Biluochun tea and quietly enjoy the falling leaves, embodying the elegance of Jiangnan. Stay at “Pingjiang Inn” in the historic Pingjiang Road district, rated 4.8 on Trip.com. It’s a 5-minute walk to the Humble Administrator’s Garden. The inn’s courtyard is planted with osmanthus trees, filling the air with autumn fragrance. Sitting in the courtyard at night drinking tea and chatting is especially cozy. Don’t miss the “Mute Shengjian” restaurant, which offers a new autumn crab roe pan-fried bun with thin skin and rich filling, paired with a bowl of beef soup—both heartwarming and satisfying. (2) Huizhou, Anhui: Autumn Paintings of Ancient Villages and Terraces Autumn in Huizhou is a perfect blend of ancient villages and terraced fields. In October, Hongcun’s golden rice fields reflect in Moon Pond, with white walls and black-tiled ancient houses scattered around, like a paradise on earth. Wake up at 5 a.m. and walk along the stone path beside Moon Pond. At this time, the morning mist lingers and the rising sun creates photos that look like a fairyland. To avoid crowds in Hongcun, visit “Tachuan,” a small village 2 km from Hongcun famous for its red leaves. From late October to early November, the Chinese tallow tree leaves turn red, and strolling along the village paths offers countless beautiful red leaf shots. Terrace lovers must not miss “Huangling.” In autumn, the Huangling terraces are covered with golden rice, and villagers are busy harvesting, creating a scene of abundance. The drying autumn scenery is also a must-see, with racks outside every home filled with chili peppers, corn, and pumpkins in bright colors—a paradise for photographers. Stay at “Shaiqiu Meisu” inside the Huangling scenic area. Booking through Trip.com includes entrance tickets. From your window, you can see the terraces and drying autumn scenery, and at night enjoy the starry sky over the ancient village. 3. Southwest Secret Exploration: Stunning Colorful Forests and Snow Mountains (1) Diqing, Yunnan: Shangri-La’s Autumn Fairy Tale From late September to early October, Shangri-La welcomes its most beautiful autumn. In Pudacuo National Park, the forest around Shudu Lake turns into a colorful world with red, yellow, and green leaves intertwined, reflected in the clear lake water, like a fairy tale secret realm. We recommend hiking the 3.3 km Shudu Lake loop trail, which is moderately difficult and offers close-up views of colorful forests and the lake. If lucky, you might spot a Tibetan snowcock. The autumn at Songzanlin Monastery is also especially charming. The poplar leaves around the temple turn yellow, complementing the golden roof and red walls, exuding solemnity and sanctity. Visit the back mountain of Songzanlin Monastery at dawn to photograph the temple sunrise, with sunlight shining on the golden roof, radiating brilliance. Stay at the “Songzanlinka Hotel” inside Dukezong Ancient Town. Trip.com packages include breakfast for two and entrance tickets to Songzanlin Monastery. The hotel’s Tibetan-style decor is distinctive, and at night you can join the bonfire party in the ancient town to experience Tibetan culture. (2) Ganzi, Sichuan: Daocheng Yading’s Autumn Exclusive Autumn in Daocheng Yading is a dream destination for many. In October, the meadows of Luorong Pasture turn golden, with the majestic Yangmaiyong Snow Mountain towering above. Milk Lake and Five Color Lake display different colors under the sunlight, like gems. We recommend taking the electric shuttle from Chonggu Temple to Luorong Pasture, then hiking to Milk Lake. Along the way, colorful forests and snow mountains accompany you, with breathtaking views at every step. Photography tips to remember: When shooting Yangmaiyong Snow Mountain at Luorong Pasture, crouch low to include the meadow, colorful forest, and snow mountain in the frame, with the subject standing on the right side with arms spread wide to show freedom and ease. At Milk Lake, sit on a rock by the lake, look sideways at the snow mountain, with sunlight on your face to maximize the atmosphere. Stay at the “Yading Community Hotel” in Daocheng County, rated 4.7 on Trip.com. The hotel offers oxygen tank rentals and can help book next-day scenic area tickets, making your trip worry-free and convenient. 4. Practical Autumn Travel Guide (1) Dressing Suggestions For autumn travel, dress warmly and photogenically. In northern red leaf areas, a light coffee-colored coat paired with a red scarf creates a harmonious color tone with the red leaves. In East China’s ancient towns, beige knit dresses with khaki trench coats highlight gentle charm. In the southwest, due to high altitude and large temperature differences, layering is recommended: wear a thin sweater underneath and a windproof jacket outside, which can be removed when warm and put on when cold—practical and photo-friendly. (2) Pitfall Avoidance Tips Book scenic area tickets in advance on the Trip.com app, especially for popular spots like Gubei Water Town and Daocheng Yading, to avoid queues. When booking hotels, prioritize packages that include breakfast and shuttle services to save time and money. When buying local specialties, check recommended shops on Trip.com guides to avoid counterfeit products. (3) Best Travel Time The best viewing period for northern red leaf areas (Miyun, Beijing; Chengde, Hebei) is mid-October to early November. East China (Suzhou, Jiangsu; Huizhou, Anhui) is good from October to November. Southwest areas (Diqing, Yunnan; Ganzi, Sichuan) have the most vibrant autumn colors from late September to early October. It’s recommended to avoid the National Day Golden Week and weekends, and travel on weekdays to avoid crowds and enjoy better accommodation prices. Autumn is brief but holds the most splendid scenery of the year. Keep this guide, bring your camera and good mood, and go encounter the beauty of autumn. Whether it’s the northern red leaves, East China’s ancient villages, or the southwest’s snow mountains, you’ll capture photos that flood your social media and create unforgettable autumn memories.