2025 Autumn Travel Guide: 5 Treasure Routes + Pitfall Avoidance Tips, with Photo Secrets
1. Northern Red Leaf Secret Spots: Less Crowds, Beautiful Scenery, Perfect for Photos
(1) Hidden Gems Around Beijing
The autumn colors at Gubei Water Town have reached their peak viewing period. The red leaves at Simatai Great Wall framed with the sea of clouds create a stunning autumn-exclusive scene. We recommend heading straight to Yinghua Academy’s ginkgo path early in the morning, where sunlight filters through the leaves casting dappled shadows—perfect for atmospheric photos. In the evening, visit Yangui Pier to capture the ancient town’s reflection; when the lights come on, it feels like traveling back a thousand years. Stay at Duanjia Courtyard Hot Spring B&B, with a Ctrip package for 799 RMB including breakfast for two and hot spring tickets to unwind after a day of exploring. Transportation is more convenient now, with a direct line from Dongzhimen taking 1.5 hours, and the newly added night bus for the red leaf season running until 9 PM, so night owls don’t have to rush.
Wuling Mountain hides the “Little Switzerland” scenery of Beijing’s suburbs. Take the cable car to the summit at 2,118 meters elevation, where the forest dyed in autumn colors stretches to the horizon. If lucky, you might catch the rolling sea of clouds. At the foot of the mountain, the Deer Park lets you feed the deer and capture close-up interaction shots, full of healing vibes. Don’t miss the reservoir fish at Wuling Mountain Villa, and try the new chestnut chicken potstickers introduced in 2025. The cloud tents halfway up the mountain cost around 300 RMB per person; you can watch the sunrise lying down at 4 AM—perfect for the lazy traveler.
(2) Lesser-Known Great Wall Alternatives
To avoid the crowds at Badaling, Jinshanling Great Wall is an excellent choice. The section from Shalingkou to Houchuanlou is the most photogenic, with the afternoon sun casting beautiful layered shadows on the brick walls at 3 PM. This area is also drone-friendly, allowing you to capture breathtaking views surrounded by a sea of red leaves. Stay at the Hualougou guesthouse cluster, where for about 200 RMB per person you can enjoy private hot spring courtyards and soak under the stars at night. Don’t forget to buy a Great Wall maple leaf-themed cultural ice cream for both a snack and a photo op.
2. East China Healing Route: The Poetry of Ancient Towns and Springs
(1) Off-Peak Trip to Shandong
Autumn in Jinan is perfect for off-peak travel, with a 30% drop in visitors in October. Baotu Spring’s water level is the highest in five years, crystal clear like sapphire. Visit Baotu Spring Park between 7 and 9 AM for soft light and fewer people, then head to nearby Qushuiting Street for a big bowl of tea and crosstalk performances to experience old Jinan’s slow life. In the evening, check in at Lao She’s former residence to see the golden ginkgo wall; pair it with a dark coat for a full vintage vibe. Stay at Yinquan Boutique Hotel by Daming Lake, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake and morning mist.
Qingzhou is a newly discovered hidden gem on Ctrip. In November, the maple leaves at Ouyuan turn fully red, and wearing Hanfu for photos feels like traveling back in time. Don’t miss the honey three-knives pastry from Longsheng Bakery, a famous old brand featured on CCTV; the Dongguan Street night market offers filling meals for just 30 RMB per person. Transportation is super convenient: a 40-minute high-speed train from Jinan to Qingzhou North Station, then a 10 RMB taxi to the ancient town. A tip: the ancient town’s stone slab roads are better navigated in chunky-heeled boots rather than flats—both stylish and stable.
(2) Zaozhuang Taierzhuang Night
The autumn nights at Taierzhuang Ancient Town hold surprises. The upgraded night cruise light show in 2025 has boosted Ctrip ratings to 4.9. Stay at the Waterhouse Peninsula Inn, where you can see rowboats passing by right outside your window and fall asleep to the sound of water. Early morning, visit Weishan Lake’s red lotus wetlands to see the snowy reeds; solo female travelers can book a free guide at the scenic area for safety and peace of mind. The corner tower of the West Gate city wall is a secret photo spot, offering panoramic shots without crowds—perfect for magazine-quality photos.
3. Southwest Secret Spots: The Clash of Colorful Forests and Snowy Mountains
(1) Slow Life in Tengchong, Yunnan
Tengchong offers niche experiences popular with young travelers. In this hot spring town surrounded by 99 volcanoes, you can stay in a private villa with a hot spring for about 70 RMB per person. The ginkgo village turns golden in October; in the early morning, scatter leaves under ancient trees for candid shots or stand under eaves to capture slow-motion falling leaves, creating a rich atmosphere. Outfit suggestions include a beige knit cardigan with a white inner layer, harmonizing with the ginkgo tones, and a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection and style.
(2) Limited Autumn at Daocheng Yading, Sichuan
Autumn at Daocheng Yading is like a fairy tale. By Pearl Lake, you can photograph the reflection of Mount Xiannairi’s snowy peak; the most natural pose is standing sideways with your hand raised, gazing into the distance. On the meadows of Luorong Pasture, yaks dot the golden and snowy landscape, and wide-angle shots highlight the vastness. Outfit recommendations include a red fleece jacket for a striking contrast with the meadow and snow, making you stand out in photos; a light gray outdoor jacket is more practical for the plateau environment, keeping your look neat and not bulky. Remember to bring a thermos and heat packs, as the temperature difference between morning and night can reach 15°C.
4. Essential Autumn Travel Tips
(1) Outfit Formulas and Photo Tips
The Maillard color palette is the universal code for autumn outfits: brown + light coffee, red-brown + khaki are fail-safe choices. In northern red leaf areas, light-colored sweaters paired with red scarves are recommended; in southern ancient towns, light-colored qipaos or khaki trench coats work well. When photographing maple leaves, pick a fallen leaf for foreground blur; for portraits, use a low angle to include the sky and colorful forest, emphasizing the feeling of “walking in a painting.”
(2) Pitfall Avoidance and Money-Saving Tips
Remember the new autumn travel rules for 2025: some scenic spots in Beijing and Shandong require advance electronic ticket reservations on Ctrip, recommended 3 days ahead. Search “Shandong Autumn Colors” on the Ctrip app to get limited-time hotel coupons, tested to save 20%; members booking Shanxi scenic tickets can earn double points. Large temperature differences are common in autumn; layering a thin down jacket with a knit skirt keeps you warm without compromising photo aesthetics.
(3) Best Time Reference
The best viewing period for northern red leaf areas (Beijing, Jinshanling) is October 20 to November 5; Shandong ancient towns (Jinan, Qingzhou) are good from October to November; southwest secret spots (Tengchong, Daocheng) have peak autumn colors from mid-September to early October. Avoid weekends for a better experience and more affordable accommodation.
Autumn’s beauty is fleeting—keep this guide handy, pick a destination, and set off. Whether it’s the grandeur of the red leaf Great Wall or the gentle charm of ancient towns and springs, these will be hits on your social feed. Remember to stock up on packages on Ctrip before you go, bring your camera and good mood, and enjoy this autumn rendezvous.
Getting the tickets for entrance and cable car are very simple and hassle free
Badaling is characterized by its layered mountains and steep terrain. To experience different perspectives of the scenery, it is best to walk up to the North Eighth Tower. The path down the mountain is relatively gentle. If you are not physically fit, you can take the cable car down the mountain. The section from the North Eighth Tower to the North Twelfth Tower is very slippery and steep. It is not recommended for the elderly to go from the North Eighth Tower to the Twelfth Tower. The whole journey takes about 3-4 hours. If you have time, you can also climb the South Tower to enjoy the scenery from the North Tower.
My friend was visiting Beijing for the first time, so of course I had to take him to the Badaling Great Wall to be a hero. We took the cable car the whole way and only climbed for about 30 minutes, so it wasn't too tiring and is perfect for taking the elderly and children.
"If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a true man"‼ ️Badaling Great Wall nanny-level travel guide📖|||The Great Wall is ten thousand miles long, and the Great Wall will never fall. "One of the Seven Wonders of the World" "Great Wall World Heritage" Badaling Great Wall is the best preserved and most representative section of the Great Wall🎫Scenic spot tickets: full price ticket 40, 🚡Round-trip cable car ticket 140 🈺Opening hours: 06:30-16:30 🚇How to get there: 🅰️Beijing North Railway Station (Subway 🚇Xizhimen Station) 🅱️Qinghe Station (Subway 🚇Qinghe Station) Both high-speed railway stations have high-speed railways that go directly to Badaling Great Wall Station 🚄Qinghe Station has more trains than Beijing North Railway Station, so it is not easy to grab tickets. It is recommended to book tickets 15 days in advance. The high-speed rail takes 20-30 minutes and the ticket price is 25/20 for a second-class seat 👣After exiting the high-speed railway station, turn left and walk about 5 minutes into the pedestrian street and walk to the city entrance 🚡After exiting the high-speed railway station, walk straight on the right about 400 meters, which is the cable car ticket gate 👣Tour route: ✔️I bought a round-trip cable car ticket, so I went directly to the vicinity of the North Eighth Floor, and then I walked down the city, so it was equivalent to taking the cable car directly to the end point and then walking all the way down. It took about 1 hour to walk down. Because you can't go forward after reaching the eighth floor of the North, if you want to take the cable car back and forth, it's equivalent to not having much to visit. My friend went up and took a look and then went down (it was raining that day, so there was really nothing to see)✅So the advice here is: ❶ Special forces with good physical strength can walk back and forth for a tour, which is definitely enough for about 3-4 hours ❷ Families who are in a hurry or with elderly and children can take the cable car directly to and from. The main point is to come and take a look. The cable car takes about 5 minutes, but if it is a holiday or peak season, the queuing time should also be counted. ❸ The route I personally recommend is: take the cable car up, and then walk down the city. You can walk all the way from the eighth floor of the North to the first floor of the North, which takes about 1 hour (for good physical strength), and the way down the city is easier to walk and not tiring. If you are obsessed with the hero monument, you can also take a photo with the stone monument of "If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a hero" (near the second floor of the North) 🚡 The one-way ticket for the cable car is 100 🔶Special reminder🔶‼ ️The Badaling Great Wall Scenic Area is a national key protection unit. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the entire scenic area. If you are caught, you may face fines and other penalties‼ ️There is a place to store luggage for free at the security checkpoint for walking tours (Figure 9), and you can also check in at the Qingfeng Baozi Shop. The taste is really good‼ ️If you have enough time, you can actually climb from the first floor to the sixth floor on the south side. The dividing line between the north and the south is at the walking entrance to the city‼ ️Don't believe the Beijing one-day tour group on the small advertisement. It says it takes you to climb the Great Wall, but in fact it is not the Badaling Great Wall where "you are not a true man if you don't climb the Great Wall", but a wild Great Wall. Don't ask me how I know, because I was fooled when I first went to Beijing 7 years ago
In the 1980s, there were very few foreigners in China. Every time foreigners in China must go to the Badaling Great Wall, this is a necessary agenda, so we accompany foreign guests to the Great Wall almost once a day. It is too familiar with the Badaling Great Wall. I remember to accompany the commander of the Bangladesh Air Force to Badaling once. It was a cold winter. Three or nine days. They came from the tropical area and did not have cotton clothes. I bought them a military coat for each of them. When I arrived at the Badaling Great Wall, I froze me like a few rabbits. , skewers, and finally went into the commissary to roast, The Badaling Great Wall has too many memories.
As the essence of the Ming Great Wall, Badaling Great Wall is world-famous for its majestic, steep and well-preserved state. Climbing the tower, you can feel the heroic sentiment of "If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a true man". The steep stairs and mottled bricks tell the vicissitudes of 600 years of history. In spring, mountain flowers shade the tower, and in autumn, the forests are dyed with colors. The scenery varies in each season. The perfect cable car, slide and other facilities take into account the convenience and fun of the tour, but it is a bit regrettable that there are too many tourists in the peak season. It is recommended to choose a non-holiday to visit, so that you can calmly experience the magnificence and thickness of this world cultural heritage.
⭕Introduction to attractions: North Great Wall: There are 12 sections in total, and the highest point is the North Eighth Floor. Young people can challenge it South Great Wall: There are 7 sections, which are relatively gentle and suitable for playing with the elderly and children. 📷Photographing and checking in: The Hero Stone and the Hero Monument are both there. They can be found on the North Fourth Floor of the North Great Wall and the South First, South Second, and South Fourth Floors of the South Great Wall [Tickets & Cable Car/Slide] Tickets: Adults 40 yuan/person, students 20 yuan/person Aerial cable car or ground cable car: round trip 140 yuan/person, one-way 100 yuan/person, the aerial cable can go to the North Seventh Floor, and the ground cable can go to the South Fourth Floor Slide: one-way 80 yuan/person, round trip 120 Yuan/person [Effort-saving route] (Cable car up - cable car down) Cable car to the city entrance - cable car up to Nansi - walk north to Beiba Hero Slope - walk back to Beiqi - cable car down Route 1: Easy to be a hero Cable car to the city entrance - cable car up to Beiqi - walk to Beiba - walk back to Beiqi - cable car down Route 2 (cable car up and cable car down + go to Black Bear Park) Cable car to the city entrance - cable car up to Beiqi - walk to Beiba - walk back to Beisi - cable car down - Black Bear Park walking exit Route 3: Both north and south | cable car plan > walk to the city entrance - walk from Nanyi to Nanqi - walk back to the south - walk from Beiyi to Beiba - walk back to Beisi Slope down Route 4: Powerful players > walk to the city entrance - walk from Nanyi to Nanqi - walk back to the south - walk from Beiyi to Beishier - walk back to Beishi - Black Bear Park - walking exit
The Badaling Great Wall is worth visiting. The following are its special highlights: Located at the confluence of Yanshan Mountains and Taihang Mountain Mountains, the mountains overlap, the terrain is steep, and the altitude is between 600-1240 meters. Standing on the Great Wall, you can have a panoramic view of the mountains, dense forests and other natural beauty. It consists of Guancheng, city walls, enemy buildings, campfire platforms, etc. Guancheng has a plaque of "Juyongwai Town" and "North Gate Lock Key"; the city walls are multi-stone or stone-clad bricks, with mouths, women's walls, etc.; the enemy buildings are diverse in shape, with wall platforms for patrol and sentry, and there are enemy stations on the upper and lower floors for soldiers to stay and fight. - Four seasons of scenery: spring flowers are full of flowers, summer is full of lush, autumn forest is dyed, winter silver wrapped, whenever you go, you can enjoy the unique landscape. Many special attractions - Good Man Stone and Good Man Monument: The North Fourth has the famous "Good Man Stone", and the South First, Second and Fourth Sections have "Good Man Monument", adding a unique cultural charm. - Other attractions are rich: there are fork road ancient city, ancient cliff residence, Wangjingshi, Tianxian left questions, Shuiguan Great Wall and other attractions, as well as the China Great Wall Museum to let tourists know the Great Wall culture in depth.