China in November: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Travel to China in November will satisfy your every vision, with enchanting late autumn, romantic early winter, lively Miao New Year, rare seas of clouds, fairy-tale-like villages, game-world-like cities, and revitalized thousand-year-old towns. We will share with you the best places to visit and the best things to do for your China tour in November.

China's Weather in November

November sees a general gradual drop in temperature and a shift from autumn to winter in China, with mesmerizing late-autumn scenery in the east and south, and early winter in the west and north.

Southern China

Southern China is generally mild in November, ideal for exploring natural landscapes, ancient towns, and cities. Average temperatures in areas with gentle terrain, such as Guangxi, are around 17℃; the temperatures in areas with large altitude drops, such as Yunnan, fluctuate between 10 and 20℃.

Eastern China

Eastern China in November is crisp and autumnal. In Jiangsu and Anhui, the average daytime temperatures are about 15℃, great for climbing mountains to enjoy the fall foliage, going on boat trips to watch birds, and exploring ancient cities; in Shanghai, there may be rainy days, so it is recommended to carry rain gear for sightseeing.

Western China

The distinct temperature differences between regions in western China bring about a fusion of fall and winter landscapes in November. The western Sichuan and Tibetan plateaus see their first snowfalls, with snowy mountains, glaciers, and colorful forests intertwined; Chongqing and Chengdu are mild, with temperatures of around 14℃, making them ideal for city sightseeing and exploring delicious food.

Colorful pools in Huang Long

Northern China

Northern China is significantly colder in November. The northern tip, including Jilin and Heilongjiang, becomes a world of crystal-clear ice and snow, and warm gear is necessary for traveling there; Beijing and Hebei have average temperatures of about 10℃ at the beginning of November, so you can catch the tail end of their autumn.

Best Places to Travel in November

Guizhou

Guizhou is a work of art created by both nature and mankind. November, with pleasant weather and without tourist peaks, is an ideal time for in-depth travel to Guizhou. You can visit the Buddhist temple at the Red Clouds Golden Summit and overlook the cloud-covered peaks of Mount Fanjing; go boating on the emerald river covered by dense forests at Xiaoqikong Scenic Area; participate in the grand celebratory songs and dances for the Miao New Year in the stunning Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village; and explore the architectural treasures and dreamy night view of the Zhenyuan Ancient Town on the banks of the Wuyang River.

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Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou National Park in November has the most colorful and clearest water. When you walk on the bridge over the water, the red, golden and green forests, the waterfalls, and everything else around are clearly reflected in the water, as if you are standing between two colorful parallel worlds. At the end of November, you may encounter its first snowfall, and the lakes among the purely white mountains are like glowing emeralds under the bright sunlight.

Beijing

Beijing in November is a huge picture scroll painted with late-autumn colors. You can climb the Badaling Great Wall and Juyongguan Great Wall surrounded by endless colorful forests; take the cable car to the top of Xiangshan Park to overlook the red foliage all over the park; visit the essence of Ming and Qing architecture lit up by golden foliage in the Forbidden City; or take a boat trip at the Jinhai Lake to enjoy the long stretching colorful mountains.

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Chongqing

Chongqing in November has not only cyberpunk city views but also magical natural landscapes. In Shanwangping Karst National Ecological Park, the green forest on one side and the golden forest on the other of the avenue form a strong contrast; in Fairy Mountain, the grassland after the first snowfall blurs its boundary with the sky; the labyrinth-like overpasses and the 3D game scene-like Hongyadong are unforgettable. Besides, the cable cars across the Yangtze River and the trains running through residential buildings give you a riding experience you've never had before.

What to Do in November

Stand for the Grand Curtain Call of the Autumn

Late autumn paints the earth with bright colors and produces delicious fruits as a sincere farewell.

In Qinglong Bay, Anhui Province, you can ride a boat through the 330 acres of redwood forest rooted in the blue waves; in Haiyang Town, Guangxi Province, you can stroll under more than one million ginkgo trees along trails dyed golden by ginkgo leaves; and in Lintong, Xi'an Province, around 2,500 acres of persimmons like red lanterns have ripened, sweet and juicy, making you remember the unique flavor of late autumn.

Autumn Leaves

Attend the Opening Show of the Winter

You can enjoy winter scenery and the rare landscape where late fall meets early winter in November.

From the top of Niubei Mountain in Sichuan, you can see an endless sea of clouds flowing around the snow-covered mountains, with Mount Emei and Mount Siguniang looking like fairy islands floating in the sky. In Jilin Wusong island, freezing fog on the hundred-year-old willow and elm trees carves out numerous crystal-clear ice flowers. In Bomi, Tibet, white glaciers and golden forests are intertwined and reflected in the gem-blue lake; the mountain tops are covered with snow, and the mountain feet are full of cows and sheep grazing leisurely.

Explore China's Top Four Ancient Cities

The regions where China's top four ancient cities are located are all not too cold or too hot in November, so you can explore all four in one go.

Langzhong Ancient City in Sichuan Province, where 26 ethnic groups have traditionally lived together and five religions have coexisted, gives you a glimpse of ancient China's diverse urban culture; Lijiang Old Town, Yunnan Province, with the flowers, wind chimes, and lanterns everywhere, the exquisite architecture, as well as the bonfires and sleepless dining bars, is the most vibrant of all; Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi Province, which is an ancient financial center, preserves numerous legends, such as China's first bank and the largest treasury in the Qing Dynasty; and Huizhou Ancient City in Anhui Province brings together the best of Huizhou architecture, including the ancient government offices, residences of famous scholars, and schools.

Events & Festivals

Miao New Year in Leishan, Guizhou

Miao New Year is the Spring Festival for the Miao people living in Leishan County and is mainly celebrated in November (early October of the lunar calendar). Celebrations are held in all Miao villages in Leishan County, with those in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village being the grandest.

Guizhou Minority People

You can enjoy a rich variety of folk activities, such as Lusheng dancing, courtship singing, and bullfighting; you can taste countless Miao specialties and wines at the long-table banquet attended by thousands of people; and the most amazing part is the display of Miao costumes, in which Miao people will wear hand-embroidered dresses and delicate silver crowns to go on a grand parade.

Crowds & Costs

November is generally a low season for travel in China, with tourist traffic dropping significantly compared to October and discounts on flights and hotels.

You still need to book your hotel and tickets early if traveling to popular tourist cities like Beijing and Chongqing, popular attractions like Jiuzhaigou and China's top four ancient cities, as well as Guizhou, which celebrates the Miao New Year in November. Tibet, Xinjiang, and most northern cities are much less crowded, and you can relax among the sea of clouds, snow-capped mountains, and vast meadows away from the hustle and bustle.

Potala Palace

China Travel Tips in November

Take a Sip of Miao Wine as a Courtesy

It is the custom of the Miao people in Guizhou to wine and dine guests. When you enter the Miao village, the Miao people will feed you wine enthusiastically at the gate. If you don't intend to drink too much wine, just take a sip as a courtesy, don't take the cup with your hand, because according to the Miao custom, you have to drink all the wine after taking the cup.

Enjoy Autumn in the First Half of November

For late autumn scenery, it is recommended to schedule the tour in the first half of November, as the second half may have cold air that makes the autumn leaves fall earlier.

Bring Warm Clothing

Temperatures in China are gradually dropping in November, so bring warm clothing, especially if traveling to the western and northern regions; you can also prepare medication to combat colds.

Travel to China in November With Odynovo

Come to China in November and you'll be left with memories to last a lifetime and a thick photo album you'll never want to throw away. Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.