Here are eight top cities to visit in August and September, created specifically for Ctrip. We've compiled recommendations based on climate, scenery, and highlights, explaining the recommendations in plain English. We've also included emojis and practical tips for each location:
1. Kanas, Xinjiang
Why Recommended:
Mid-to-late September is the perfect time for stunning autumn colors! Golden birch forests, emerald lakes, and Tuva wooden houses create a fairytale-like experience—photographers should get their fill.
Recommended Attractions:
🌊 Kanas Lake (boat tour to see the legend of the "water monster")
🌲 Hemu Village (morning mist and smoke from cooking fires, star-filled wooden houses)
🏞️ Fish Watching Terrace (perfect panoramic view)
💡 Tip: Bring a light down jacket at the end of September and book your room two months in advance to avoid sky-high prices!
2. Lijiang, Yunnan
Why Recommended:
The rainy season has ended, and the weather is cool at +20°C. The ancient city is uncrowded and comfortable, so you can relax, admire the snow-capped mountains, browse the night market, and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Recommended Attractions:
🏔️ Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Glacier Park + Blue Moon Valley)
🚣 Lugu Lake (Pig Trough Boat Tour + Mosuo Culture)
🏮 Lijiang Old Town (Lantern-lined Alleys + Folk Bars)
💡 Tip: Avoid the National Day crowds and visit in early September! Shuhe Ancient Town is even quieter than Dayan.
3. Xining, Qinghai
Why Recommended:
Average temperature in August is 22°C, making it a great summer escape! The rapeseed blossoms at Qinghai Lake are still blooming, and you can enjoy snow-capped mountains, lakes, and grasslands all in one! Excellent value for money.
Recommended Attractions:
🌼 Qinghai Lake (Lakeside Cycling & Flower Sea Highway)
🛕 Ta'er Monastery (Butter Sculptures & Tibetan Buddhist Holy Land)
🏔️ Chaka Salt Lake (Sky Mirror Reflection)
💡 Tip: The temperature difference between morning and evening is significant, so bring a jacket! The sunrise over the Black Horse River is absolutely stunning.
4. Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia
Why Recommended:
The grasslands glow green in August, turning into a sea of gold in September! Ride horses, stay in a yurt, and enjoy hand-pulled lamb—become a wild child of the grasslands.
Recommended Attractions:
🐎 Morigele River (Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns + Sheep Herds)
🌿 Ergun Wetlands (Asia's No. 1 Wetland Sunset)
🏕️ Heishantou (Horseback Riding & Yurt Bonfire)
💡 Tip: Whether driving or chartering a car, cattle blocking the road are common, so don't honk!
5. Qingdao, Shandong
Why Recommended:
August Beer Festival revelry and 25°C sea breezes! Drinking beer from a plastic bag and munching on seafood is the true way to enjoy summer in Qingdao.
Recommended Attractions:
🌊 Golden Beach (fine sand, barefoot paddling, and water activities)
🏰 Badaguan (red tiles, green trees, and retro Western-style buildings)
🍺 Qingdao Beer Museum (all-you-can-eat original beer)
💡 Tip: Hotel prices increase during Beer Festival, so staying in Shinan District is more convenient for transportation! You can choose your own seafood at the seafood market; the processing fee is 10 yuan per jin.
6. Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan
Why Recommended:
September brings abundant water and vibrant colors! The colorful pools and waterfalls are a fickle shade of blue, and the crowds are half as small as during National Day, making the experience truly captivating.
Recommended Attractions:
🌈 Wuhua Lake (Spectacular Color-Changing Travertine Pools)
💦 Nuorilang Waterfall (Filming Location for "Journey to the West")
🏯 Shuzheng Village (Tibetan and Qiang Culture + Hand-woven Fabrics)
💡 Tips: Wear non-slip shoes! There are no restaurants within the scenic area, so bring your own dry food and a thermos.
7. Changbai Mountain, Jilin
Why Recommended:
August: Escape the summer heat (22°C) + early September snow! High chance of a full blue lake at Tianchi Lake. Forest rafting + hot spring egg-boiling: a Northeastern ceiling experience.
Recommended Attractions:
🌋 Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake (Crater Lake, luck depends)
🚣 Demonic World Rafting (Rime Spectacular Morning Mist Version)
♨️ Julong Hot Springs (Ice and Fire + Boiled Eggs)
💡 Tips: The west slope offers a great view of Tianchi Lake, but requires climbing 1,442 steps! Bring a raincoat, the weather on the mountaintop can change in a flash.
8. Wuyuan, Jiangxi
Why Recommended:
Autumn drying starts early in September! Huangling peppers and corn are displayed on rooftops, with white walls and black tiles contrasting with red and yellow. No filters needed for photos.
Recommended Attractions:
🌶️ Huangling Autumn Drying (Panoramic view of the ancient village with staggered plaques)
🏞️ Shicheng Morning Mist (Huizhou-style architecture and a sea of red leaves and clouds)
🌉 Rainbow Bridge (Playing in the water on a Song Dynasty covered bridge)
💡 Tip: Stay in a B&B within the scenic area! 6 a.m. is a good time to take photos of autumn drying, and the afternoons are packed with tour groups.
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