China in November 2025: Ultimate Travel Guide in Autumn

Is November a good time to visit China? Yes! As autumn gives way to winter, travel to China during this time will satisfy your every vision, with lively Miao New Year, rare seas of cloud, fairy-tale 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

In November, weather in Southern China is pleasantly mild, making it ideal for exploring natural landscapes, ancient towns, and cities. Travel to areas with gentle terrain like Guangxi, expect average temperatures to be around 17℃, while travel to places with varied altitude such as Yunnan, the temperatures fluctuate between 10 and 20℃.

Eastern China

Eastern China in November is cool and crisp, making it one of the best times to enjoy autumn scenery of this region. In Jiangsu and Anhui, the average daytime temperatures are about 15℃, which is perfect for hiking mountains (like Huangshan) to admire fall foliage, or exploring historic cities like Suzhou and Nanjing. In Shanghai, it often rains during November, so carrying rain gear for sightseeing is recommended.

Western China

The distinct temperature differences between regions in western China bring about a fusion of fall and winter landscapes in November. On the western Sichuan and Tibetan Plateaus, the first snowfalls arrive and the region's landscape with snowy mountains, glacier and colorful forests intertwined. Meanwhile, Chongqing and Chengdu are mild, with average temperatures around 14℃. The pleasant weather make them ideal for city sightseeing and famous local food tasting.

Colorful pools in Huang Long

Northern China

Northern China becomes much colder in November. In the far north, including Jilin and Heilongjiang, the landscape turns into a world of crystal-clear ice and snow, so packing warm clothing is essential. Further in South like Beijing and Hebei, average temperatures are around 10℃ at the beginning of the month, and you can still enjoy the autumn scenery before winter arrives.

Best Places to Travel in November

Guizhou

Guizhou is a work of art created by both nature and mankind. November offers pleasant weather and fewer crowds, 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. In the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, go boating on the emerald river surrounded by dense forests. In the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, join the lively Miao New Year celebrations with traditional songs and dances. Furthermore, you can explore the historic Zhenyuan Ancient Town, where ancient architecture and the night view of the Wuyang River create a dreamy atmosphere.

Jiuzhaigou

Jiuzhaigou National Park in November is at its most charming period. The lakes turn crystal clear, reflecting the red, golden and green forests as well as the cascading waterfalls, creating the feeling of you 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 one of the best places in China to see late-autumn colors. You can hike the Badaling or Juyongguan sections of the Great Wall, where the surrounding mountains are covered in endless fall foliage. At Xiangshan Park, a cable car ride takes you to the top for a sweeping view of red maple leaves. In the Forbidden City, golden trees highlight the Ming and Qing architecture. For a different experience, you can take a boat trip on Jinhai Lake and enjoy the long stretching colorful mountains.

Chongqing

Chongqing in November has not only cyberpunk city views but also magical natural landscapes. In Shanwangping Karst National Ecological Park, one side of the avenue glows with golden leaves while the other remains green, creating a strong contrast. In Fairy Mountain, the grassland after the first snowfall blurs its boundary with the sky. Back to the city, the maze-like overpasses and the neon-lit Hongyadong leave lasting impression with their 3D game-like scene.

For experiences you've never had before, try the cable cars across the Yangtze River and watch trains pass directly through residential buildings.

What to Do in November

Experience Fruits and Foliage of 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 waters. In Haiyang Town, Guangxi Province, you can stroll under more than one million ginkgo trees along trails dyed golden by ginkgo leaves. In Lintong, Xi'an Province, around 2,500 acres of persimmons like red lanterns have ripened, sweet and juicy, giving you a true taste 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, while snow-covered peaks overlook grazing cows and sheep in the valley below.

Explore China's Top Four Ancient Cities

November is an ideal time to visit China's ancient cities, as the weather is mild across regions.

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, is vibrant with flowers, lanterns, wind chimes, and lively night dining, offering a lively and colorful atmosphere. In Pingyao Ancient City, Shanxi Province, history comes alive with legends of China's first bank and the Qing Dynasty's largest treasury. Huizhou Ancient City, Anhui Province, highlights classic Huizhou architecture, including ancient government offices, scholar residences, and traditional 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 Miao folk activities, including Lusheng dancing, courtship singing, and bullfighting. At the famous long-table banquet, thousands of people gather to share countless Miao specialties and local wines. The highlight of the festival is the grand costume parade, where the Miao people wear hand-embroidered dresses and delicate silver crowns.

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 northern and western regions.

It's also a good idea to bring basic cold medicine, just in case the change in climate makes you more susceptible to 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. Write to us via [email protected] and let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.