Things to Do in Beijing: New Events & Hot Spots (Updated 2026)

During exam season, temples are more crowded than study rooms. Some pray to Manjushri, some pray for an "offer," and some draw lots to ask about their future—their choices vary. Are you praying at the right place? This guide to 6 exam-season temples in China and Thailand helps you pray at the right spot before your test for a head start 👇 🛕 Shuxiang Temple, Wutai Mountain • Manjushri’s ancestral temple 📍 Address: Taihuai Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi (inside the Wutai Mountain Scenic Area) 🙏 How to pray: Pay respect to the 9.87 m statue of Manjushri riding a lion (the tallest Manjushri statue at Wutai Mountain), light a wisdom lamp, and place a blessing plaque. Make a wish before the exam and fulfill your vow afterward. ✨ Highlights: Considered Manjushri’s ancestral temple and famed for prayers for wisdom and academics. Popular with those taking college entrance exams, graduate exams, and civil service exams. 🛕 Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu • packed before exams 📍 Address: No. 66 Wenshuyuan Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu (about 400 m from Exit K of Wenshu Monastery station, subway Line 1) 🙏 How to pray: Pick up three sticks of incense at the entrance, pray to Manjushri for wisdom in your studies, and remember to return and give thanks once your wish is granted. ✨ Highlights: Busiest around entrance exam season. Parents pray to Manjushri for top results, and outside the monastery there’s a street nicknamed "Top Scholar Street." 🛕 Da Ci’en Temple, Xi’an • Yanta inscription of names 📍 Address: Cien Road, Yanta District, Xi’an (next to Dayan Pagoda North Square) 🙏 How to pray: At the site where Xuanzang translated scriptures, climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to pray for steady progress. Before exams, visit for the classic "Yanta inscription" ritual. ✨ Highlights: In the Tang dynasty, newly successful scholars inscribed their names beneath the pagoda—"Yanta inscription" was the ancient version of making the honor roll. 🛕 Wofo Temple, Beijing • the "offer" temple 📍 Address: Wofo Temple Road, Haidian District, Beijing (inside the North Garden of the National Botanical Garden) 🙏 How to pray: Before exams, pay respects to the Reclining Buddha for good luck—"Wofo" sounds like "offer" in Chinese, so exam takers and job seekers alike come here. ✨ Highlights: A viral favorite among young people known as the "offer temple," often busier than during Chinese New Year. A must-visit for those hoping to land an offer. 🛕 Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai • draw lots before exams 📍 Address: On Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand (take a taxi or songthaew up from the Old City) 🙏 How to pray: Draw a fortune stick before your exam to ask about your prospects. Match the number to take the corresponding fortune slip. You can ask a monk to interpret it. If it proves accurate, remember to return and give thanks. ✨ Highlights: One of Chiang Mai’s most reputedly effective temples; local students also draw lots here during exam season. The mountaintop offers night views. 🛕 Erawan Shrine, Bangkok • first face for academics 📍 Address: Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok (opposite CentralWorld, next to the Erawan Hotel) 🙏 How to pray: Start with the first face holding prayer beads—this one governs career and studies. State your name and wish, then move clockwise to worship all four faces, offering incense and flowers. ✨ Highlights: Each face has a different domain; the first face is for studies and career. During exam season, focus on this face. Success is 30% prayer and 70% practice. Remember to return and give thanks. *For reference only. Praying can be a psychological anchor, but getting into school or landing a job still depends on the problems you practice, the books you study, and the resumes you send. Sincerity helps, and action helps even more.

When the fall breeze blows, the 1,000mu rice fields in Haidian Shangzhuang turn into a golden fairytale. Heavy rice panicles bow low as waves of rice ripple in the wind—the spotlight is on Jingxi imperial rice now 🥳 Nov 1–Nov 30, the Daoxiang Flower Sea 5th Jingxi Rice Fresh Milling Season returns as scheduled. From the first cut and harvest, to milling in the field, to a steaming bowl of freshly cooked new-rice porridge, you don’t need to travel far. Head to the Jingxi rice protected planting zone for an immersive, rice-scented harvest party. 🌾 Freshly cut and milled, watch a single grain come to life Step into the fields and you’ll catch a live mechanized harvest in action. Golden rice falls to the hum of machines and kernels flow into storage—an uncommon sight for the city, like a live broadcast right before your eyes. There’s also a dedicated fresh-milling station. Newly harvested rice is not stored, polished, or waxed. It’s threshed on-site and milled in real time to lock in the original aroma and nutrition of Jingxi rice. Stand by the machines to watch the entire process and see how each grain is dehulled into white rice. It’s a vivid look at how good rice is made. Unlike regular stored rice, freshly milled new rice is soft, sticky, and intensely fragrant. Freshly cut, freshly milled, delivered at its peak—this is a one-of-a-kind taste of fall. 📸 Every snap is a Moments-worthy hero shot It’s not just about rice—this is a hidden gem for photos. Giant scarecrows, a pink giant guitar staircase, and oversized straw hats dot the fields, making it easy to capture moody, cinematic shots with every click. Bring family and invite friends. Stroll through the sea of rice, freeze a smile in the autumn breeze, and fill your frames with the joy of harvest. 🍚 A bowl of freshly simmered rice porridge, savor the season’s freshest Tired from exploring? The park simmers Jingxi rice porridge fresh daily. It’s tender, lightly sweet, and richly aromatic, and free to taste from start to finish. One spoonful fills your mouth with the natural freshness of new rice, warming both stomach and heart. Nourished by lands far and wide, crafted with care. This November, the waves of rice are ready. Come for a golden date with rice, and let’s mill together! 💡 Event info 🔸 Event name: Daoxiang Flower Sea 5th Jingxi Rice Fresh Milling Season 🔸 Event dates: Nov 1–Nov 30, 2026 🔸 Event location: Daoxiang Flower Sea Park (head 400m south to reach the main venue)

Chasing fall foliage is like a global relay. Starting in the northern reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, maples, larches, and ginkgo trees turn in sequence, and every region has its own peak window. If you plan carefully, you can follow the colors around the world in a single fall—from Kyoto in Japan to the Rocky Mountains in Canada, then wrap up in an underrated part of China. Japan: The global benchmark for fall foliage Japan’s foliage season runs from September to December, progressing from north to south. Hokkaido (late September–mid-October) Daisetsuzan, Asahi-dake, and Sounkyo Gorge are among the first places in Japan to blaze with color. High peaks at this time mix golden and scarlet hues. Visitor numbers are relatively low, and hotel prices haven’t peaked yet. Tohoku (mid-October–early November) Maples reflect in the waters of the Oirase Stream, and the old railway through Naruko Gorge passes a natural tunnel of red leaves. This is Japan’s second wave of foliage, and crowds start to build. Kansai · Kyoto (mid-November–early December) Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Arashiyama, and Tōfuku-ji Temple. Kyoto’s foliage is the season’s final crescendo in Japan, and also the most crowded. In 2026, Kyoto’s peak is expected around Dec 11, which means Kansai isn’t the best choice if you want to avoid the crowds. Canada: North America’s big, bold fall Late September to early October is peak season in Canada. Rocky Mountains (mid-September–early October) Along Banff National Park’s Icefields Parkway and in Larch Valley near Lake Louise, golden larches contrast dramatically with emerald alpine lakes. The fall colors here are among the world’s most expansive—not delicate, but a full-scale visual spectacle. Quebec and the Thousand Islands (late September–mid-October) The eastern foliage corridor has the highest density of color. Take a boat through the Thousand Islands and you’ll glide past living galleries of scarlet maples and golden forests on both shores. Niagara Falls (October) The falls are a natural wonder, and with fall colors as a backdrop, this becomes one of North America’s most dramatic places to see foliage. Canada is famed for spectacle, perfect for travelers seeking large-scale visual impact. The tradeoff is a sense of solitude—many places are vast and sparsely populated, and facilities are not as polished as in Japan. South Korea: An overlooked East Asian foliage destination From October to early November, South Korea’s foliage season often gets overshadowed by Japan’s buzz. Seoraksan (mid-October) One of the country’s first peaks to turn. Ride a cable car straight up to the band where the colors are most intense. The hues rival Japan’s, yet visitors are only about one third of comparable Japanese attractions. Naejangsan’s maple tunnel (late October) Dense scarlet maples form a natural tunnel—an experience unique to South Korea. Seoul · Yeouido and Deoksugung Stone-wall Road (late October–early November) Prime foliage spots in the heart of a major city. They draw local visitors, but comparatively few international travelers. The takeaway: South Korea offers outstanding value—prices are 30%–50% lower than Japan, crowds are roughly half, and the overall experience is on par. China: The world’s secret weapon for fall foliage China’s foliage destinations are often overlooked, but their scale, diversity, and ability to help you dodge crowds are unmatched globally. Benxi red maples (Liaoning, Oct 5–15) Benxi’s Golden Ten Days mark the pinnacle of China’s fall scenery. At Guanmenshan, Laobian Valley, and Dashi Lake, the density of scarlet maples rivals Japan, but here entire mountains glow red—not accents, but slopes fully awash in leaves. How to experience it: Hike at dawn through red forests in morning mist; in the afternoon, ride a cable car for a bird’s-eye view of a sea of scarlet. This is one of the world’s most immersive foliage experiences. Crowds: In October, Kyoto is shoulder to shoulder. Benxi, by contrast, falls on working days with so few visitors you can have the mountain trails to yourself. Great Wall foliage (around Beijing, Oct 26–Nov 2) Peak color at the Mutianyu Great Wall arrives roughly 10 days after Benxi’s. Ancient stonework paired with autumn hues creates a unique fusion of heritage and seasonal beauty. How to experience it: Walk the Great Wall’s bluestone steps flanked by blazing reds and golds. From the ridgeline, the Wall looks sculpted by fall itself—a scene unmatched anywhere else. Crowds: Compared with the shoulder-to-shoulder National Day holiday, Oct 26–Nov 2 are post-holiday working days, and crowds drop by about 80%. Changbai Mountain, Jilin (early–mid-October) High-altitude red leaf landscapes. Around Heavenly Lake, white birch forests intermingle with scarlet maples, creating mirror-like reflections. This is a classic high-mountain foliage scene. 📍 Other notable foliage spots in China Qixia Mountain Scenic Area, Nanjing (late October–mid-November): An ancient Jiangnan temple setting paired with red leaves, often called the top foliage spot in the Jiangnan region. Tachuan Scenic Area, Anhui (late October–mid-November): Chinese tallow tree reds set against Huizhou-style villages—a perfect symmetry of heritage and fall color. Ginkgo Village, Tengchong, Yunnan (early November–early December): Not maples, but golden ginkgo offers a similar effect—and one of the latest fall landscapes anywhere. 🗺️ Global foliage calendar: how to see it all in one go Late September: Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido Early October: Tohoku, Japan + Seoraksan, South Korea + Jilin, China Mid-October: Benxi, China (Golden Ten Days peak) + Rocky Mountains, Canada Late October: Great Wall, China + Naejangsan, South Korea November: Kansai, Japan + Southern China (Qixia Mountain, Tachuan) Late November–December: Tengchong ginkgo, China + Kyoto’s last burst, Japan The best places to see fall foliage aren’t always the most famous. They are the ones with the smartest timing, the lowest crowd density, and the highest-quality experience. Benxi and the Great Wall in China happen to sit squarely in that golden window.

Job-hunting season. You’ve sent your resume everywhere, and the offer is still on the way. Some keep drilling interviews, while others take a lap around a temple — a mental boost can be part of your edge. 6 temples in China and Thailand for job seekers. Pay a visit before you submit your resume 👇 🛕 Wutai Mountain Wuye Temple・top incense temple 📍 Address: Taihuai Town, Wutai Mountain, Shanxi (Wanfo Pavilion) 🙏 How to pray: On entering, state your name and the career path you’re seeking. Wuye Temple is for both wealth and career. Incense burns year-round. ✨ Highlights: Widely seen as the most popular temple for incense at Wutai Mountain. People line up from early morning. It’s a top choice for career and wealth blessings. 🛕 Beijing Wofo Temple・offer temple 📍 Address: Wofo Temple Road, Haidian District, Beijing (inside the botanical garden) 🙏 How to pray: Visit during the fall recruiting season — “Wofo” sounds like “offer,” a long-standing tradition among job seekers. ✨ Highlights: Even CCTV has covered this “offer temple.” Resumes and employee badges have reportedly appeared on the offering table. 🛕 Shenzhen Hongfa Temple・Samantabhadra Hall 📍 Address: Inside Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Luohu District, Shenzhen 🙏 How to pray: Head straight to the main hall. The Samantabhadra Bodhisattva there watches over careers. Circle clockwise as you pray. Free incense is available at the temple. ✨ Highlights: Known as Shenzhen’s most popular temple for incense, with direct subway access. After praying, you can also explore Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. 🛕 Beijing Longquan Monastery・honor student temple 📍 Address: Phoenix Ridge, Haidian District, Beijing 🙏 How to pray: During job-hunt anxiety, join a meditation retreat at the temple — the IT community’s favorite place to find calm. Registration fills up fast. ✨ Highlights: Some monks are top scholars from Peking University and Tsinghua University. Famous as the “honor student temple,” it’s a hidden haunt for programmers. 🛕 Bangkok Ganesha temple・career deity 📍 Address: Intersection of Ratchadaphisek Road and Huai Khwang Road, Bangkok (MRT Huai Khwang Station) 🙏 How to pray: Ganesha likes sweets — bring milk, bananas, and marigolds as offerings. Seek career advancement here. ✨ Highlights: Ganesha oversees career, promotion, and wealth. The shrine is open 24 hours, so you can go even after working late. 🛕 Wat Traimit Wittayaram・golden good luck 📍 Address: End of Yaowarat Road, Bangkok (Chinatown) 🙏 How to pray: In the main hall, pay respects to the world’s largest solid-gold Buddha — a center of wealth faith for Chinatown’s Chinese. Its golden glow is a lucky sign. ✨ Highlights: The 3m-tall solid-gold statue weighs several tons. It was covered in plaster for centuries and only revealed in 1955. Gold will always shine. A job offer is half skill and half superstition — visit a temple, but keep sending out resumes. Have you ever prayed for a job offer at a temple? Share which one felt the most effective in the comments 👇 ⚠️ Blessings are a folk custom, and results are for reference only. Offers ultimately depend on your skills and preparation. Sincere intentions help, and action helps even more.

Beijing’s fall parks are showcasing cat-themed flowerbeds and chrysanthemum displays, with Ritan Park, Beihai Park, and Jingshan Park becoming popular photo spots. 🌼 Ritan Park cat flowerbed and fall fair 📍 Location: South Gate, Ritan Park, Beijing • Original Chrysanthemum Cat character: a gigantic figure standing 3.5m tall. Yellow and green turf mimics a cat’s fur, with perky ears and a chunky tail that’s irresistibly cute. • Chrysanthemum Valley: set in a native ravine landscape, featuring distinctive chrysanthemum varieties introduced from Yunnan and Kaifeng. Hillsides blanketed with blooms play beautifully against red walls and historic architecture. • Park activities: concerts, live band performances, and Chrysanthemum Cat parades. • International goods and food market: enjoy flowers, stroll the park, browse the stalls, and savor great food all in one stop for full-on fall vibes. 🌼 Beihai Park chrysanthemum show and tabby cat installation 📍 Location: Central courtyard, Chanfu Temple scenic area, Beihai Park, Beijing • Tabby cat installation: crafted with sweet flag, sedge, bamboo fiber, and mini chrysanthemums. Big round eyes feel lively, and the interlaced light-and-dark tabby stripes are especially charming. • Chrysanthemum show: exhibition area covers 6,000 sq m and includes over 600 chrysanthemum varieties and 50,000 plants. • Cantonese-style grand upright chrysanthemums: the classic grand upright chrysanthemums from Xiaolan, Guangdong return after 17 years. • Fall scenery: shimmering waters and trees in shades of green and gold invite a leisurely stroll to fully enjoy the season. 🌼 Jingshan Park plush green cat flowerbed and fall views 📍 Location: West Gate, Jingshan Park, Beijing • Plush green cat flowerbed: green and white plants form a half-crouching, half-sitting cat with lively, round eyes that are utterly adorable. • Persimmon trees in fall: branches laden with golden persimmons bring the essence of fall to life. • Climb Wanchun Pavilion: take in panoramic views of the Forbidden City and Beijing’s central axis for breathtaking scenery. Come to Beijing’s fall parks to experience the unique charm of cat-themed flowerbeds and chrysanthemum shows!

The internet-famous ash tree at the northwest gate of Longtan Park in Beijing is now at its peak, its golden leaves forming a giant umbrella that draws many residents and travelers to take photos. Sunlight spills across the canopy, with layered shades of gold like an oil painting that makes you linger. 🌳 Internet-famous ash tree This ash tree is lush with a wide canopy. Its golden leaves shine in the sunlight like a giant golden umbrella. Whether you look up from beneath it or admire it from afar, its unique charm stands out. It’s a perfect spot for photos. 🏞️ Garden scenery Longtan Park’s inner lake encircles the grounds, with rockeries, pavilions, and abundant trees creating a tranquil garden tableau. Classic-style buildings such as Feilong Pavilion and Mingxiang Pavilion on the island at the lake’s center add a touch of historic charm. Stroll along the lakeside or go boating to enjoy a leisurely time. ⛩️ Cultural highlights Don’t miss the Yuan Chonghuan Temple and the Dragon Character Stone Forest. The temple honors this national hero with portraits and historical artifacts. The stone forest features carvings of the character "dragon" in various scripts, showcasing deep cultural heritage. 💡 Travel tips: Visit on a sunny day. The ash tree’s golden hues look richer in bright light. The park is large, so wear comfortable shoes. Walking is the most convenient way to explore. Come to Longtan Park in Beijing and experience the painterly beauty of the golden ash tree!

Pet parents have a simple wish list: their fur babies eat well, sleep soundly, and stay healthy. But canned food and vaccines aren’t everything—some people are even offering incense for their pets — 6 pet-friendly temples—after praying for yourself, don’t forget to say a prayer for your fur baby 👇 🛕 Shenyang Ma'er Mountain Dashan Temple・pet blessings 📍 Address: Ma'er Mountain, Sujiatun District, Shenyang 🙏 How to pray: bring your fur baby into the temple and join the cat-and-dog blessing ceremony — no admission, parking is free ✨ Highlights: a rare pet-friendly temple that enshrines guardian statues of Diting and the three-eyed netherworld cat — even fur kids have guardian deities 🛕 Beijing Hongluosi・pet fortune bag 📍 Address: Hongluo Mountain, Huairou District, Beijing (Hongluosi) 🙏 How to get one: visit the temple’s cultural and creative shop — there are blessing fortune bags made just for cats and dogs; buy one to bring home for your fur baby ✨ Highlights: temple merch extends blessings from people to pets — Hongluosi’s pet fortune bag is a standout of this new wave 🛕 Hangzhou Lingyin Temple・life release blessings 📍 Address: Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 🙏 How to pray: on the 15th day of each lunar month, a life release blessing ceremony is held in front of the Medicine Master Hall — join the monks to release animals ✨ Highlights: a regular ceremony listed on Lingyin Temple’s official site that promotes scientific life release — earn merit for your pet and blessings for yourself 🛕 Dujiangyan cat temple・cat deity 📍 Address: Dujiangyan, Sichuan (inside the scenic area) 🙏 How to pray: bring your cat to pay respect to the cat deity statue — the temple’s 30 resident cats are on duty, with cat-themed elements everywhere ✨ Highlights: a viral mini temple that enshrines the cat deity, even covered by Guangming Online — a must-visit check-in spot for cat owners 🛕 Bangkok Wat Paknam・cat library 📍 Address: by the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok (Wat Paknam) 🙏 How to visit: head to the temple library to hang out with cats — the temple’s adopted cats live here, and Thai media have covered it ✨ Highlights: "add merit, add heart, add cats" — the temple pampers its cats, and their good fortune might even beat ours 🛕 Bangkok Wat Phai Lueang・animal charity 📍 Address: Thailand (Wat Phai Lueang) 🙏 How to do good: make merit by redeeming a buffalo (help the temple buy water buffalo from slaughter), then feed abandoned cats and dogs ✨ Highlights: temple-led animal charity widely covered by Thai mainstream media — feeding stray cats and dogs builds blessings for your own pet At the end of the day, praying for your fur baby comes down to one thing: their health. Have you taken your fur baby to a temple? Share your pet’s blessing photos in the comments 👇 ⚠️ Friendly reminder: blessing rituals are a folk experience, and results are for reference only. For life release, follow temple-organized scientific practices and avoid releasing animals into the wild on your own. For your pet’s health, vaccines, checkups, and your companionship are the most reliable.

In November, fall foliage in Beijing’s suburbs hits peak saturation, with layers of red, yellow, and orange leaves spreading across the hills—every snapshot looks like a wallpaper. This is the last window to enjoy the leaves. Wait another week and strong winds may blow them away. ⛰️ Fengcai Qianshan hiking trail ⏰ Dates: October 10–November 10, 2026 • Colorful foliage from smoke trees, Shantung maples, ashes, and more. • Ideal for mountain hikes, with picture‑perfect fall views along the way. 🏞️ Jinhai Lake North Mountain trail ⏰ Dates: October 10–November 10, 2026 • Smoke trees, Shantung maples, red leaves, and other foliage paint the slopes. • Lake and mountain scenery mirrors the autumn colors for a soothing view. 🌳 Bairuigu Scenic Area ⏰ Dates: October 10–November 10, 2026 • Smoke trees, Shantung maples, red leaves, and more create a rich autumn vibe. • Great for family outings and photography lovers, a perfect spot for photos. 🍁 Xiangshan Park ⏰ Dates: October 10–November 10, 2026 • Smoke trees, Shantung maples, red leaves, and more at a classic leaf‑viewing destination. • Perfect for family trips to soak up the fall atmosphere. 🌲 Cuiyu Binshan Scenic Area ⏰ Dates: October 10–October 15, 2026 • Colorful foliage from yellowhorn and Shantung maples, open for a short period. • Catch the tail end of fall and savor the season’s beauty. 🏔️ Great Wall viewing forest trail, Beijing ⏰ Dates: October–early November • Shantung maples, yellowhorn, five‑lobed maples, and more offer rich colors. • Enjoy Great Wall vistas and autumn scenery along the route, where history meets nature. 🚶 Yanqi Lake West Mountain trail ⏰ Dates: October 12–November 25, 2026 • Shantung maples, yellowhorn, Mongolian oaks, and other foliage light up the season. • Ideal for hiking and lakeside strolls, perfect for peaceful moments. 🌳 Badaling National Forest Park ⏰ Dates: late October–early November • Shantung maples, yellowhorn, five‑lobed maples, alders, and more bring vibrant fall colors. • The park is full of autumn charm and great for family outings. Come to Beijing and catch the season’s final burst of color!

On Oct 30, the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an extension to the APEC Business Travel Card stay period: to further facilitate business travel across the Asia-Pacific region, China has decided to extend the maximum stay in China for APEC Business Travel Card holders from 60 days to 90 days, effective from Nov 1, 2026. 🔸 Who is eligible Holders of a valid APEC Business Travel Card from other economies (i.e., travelers entering China). This does not include cases where Chinese citizens use the card to depart China. 🔸 What's changing Maximum stay per entry in China: 60 days → 90 days. 🔸 Effective date Effective from Nov 1, 2026. The new standard applies to entries on or after Nov 1.

From October 24–November 15, 2026, the Badaling Great Wall fall foliage festival is underway. Centered on fall scenery, culture, and interactive experiences, it offers an immersive leaf‑peeping journey along the Great Wall. 🏯 Badaling Great Wall fall foliage festival ⏰ Time: Oct 24–Nov 15, 2026 📍 Location: Badaling Great Wall cultural district and along the south route cable car ✨ Highlights: • Swing floral installation: Swing chairs inside the security checkpoint, surrounded by red leaves—perfect for photo ops. • Cascading red‑leaf wall: A colorful cascade of leaf‑themed blooms at the corner of the cultural district, bursting with fall color. • Red‑leaf wish bottle: A giant acrylic wish bottle at the south route cable car plaza. Pick up fallen red leaves, write your wish, and drop it into the bottle. • Hero Leaf custom sticker: Pick up a custom PET sticker at the wall entry, attach collected leaves as a keepsake, and snap atmospheric photos. • Champion photo spot: At South Tower 7, a photo spot matching Zheng Qinwen’s shot captures the layered Great Wall and slopes of red leaves. • Social platform interaction: Selected visitor posts will be showcased on a rotating on‑site display at scheduled times. 🎫 Exclusive perks for cable car ticket stubs ⏰ Time: Oct 24–Nov 15, 2026 🎫 Admission: Enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment discounts in the district with your cable car ticket stub. ✨ Highlights: • District discounts: Merchants such as Ziguangyuan, Yadebao, and Great Wall Coffee offer discounts. 💡 Travel tip: Fall foliage depends on the weather. Check the real‑time foliage status of the scenic area before you go. Come to the Badaling Great Wall to experience the romance and cultural charm of fall leaves!

It may still be T-shirt weather, but skiers are already dreaming of the mountains. The 2026–2027 season’s estimated opening calendar is ready. Xinjiang is once again the earliest region in China to kick off the season. In Chongli and much of Northeast China, most ski areas are expected to open slightly later. Many resorts will start with trial runs and first tracks before officially opening a few days later. Rally your ski buddy and plan your itinerary early. ⚠️Friendly reminder: Many dates are industry estimates and not yet officially announced. Actual opening dates may change due to temperature, snowfall, and snowmaking progress. Before booking, be sure to check the latest announcements on each resort’s official account to avoid a wasted trip. ❄️ Keketuohai International Ski Resort 📍 Koktokay Town, Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang ⏰ Opening: Oct 20 ✨ Things to do: Grab the nation’s first tracks of the new season; carve the 9 km Gem Avenue; challenge black-diamond runs; take in Altai Mountains views as you ski; watch the alpine sunset from the summit. ✨ Highlights: Earliest opening in China; season lasts up to 240 days; standout powder quality; full coverage of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs; a must-visit for off-piste lovers. ❄️ Wanlong Ski Resort 📍 Honghualiang, Chongli District, Zhangjiakou, Hebei (Wanlong Ski Resort) ⏰ Opening: Oct 23 trial runs, Oct 31 official opening ✨ Things to do: Chongli’s opening-day front-runner. Opening-day events roll out on Oct 31. Night skiing available. After skiing, dine in the resort village. ✨ Highlights: Powerful snowmaking, many runs open early, mature facilities, and a top short-getaway choice for skiers from Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. ❄️ Beidahu Ski Resort 📍 Beidahu Town, Yongji County, Jilin City, Jilin Province ⏰ Estimated: Free trial runs for 1 week starting Nov 8. Official opening Nov 15. ✨ Things to do: Join the free trial runs. Beginners can practice on gentle green slopes. Advanced skiers can lap long mountain runs. Unwind in on-site hot springs after skiing. ✨ Highlights: Immersive forest-and-snow vibe, 74 runs with plenty of choice, routes for both newbies and experts, and great value during the opening trial period. ❄️ Hemu (Jikepulin) International Ski Resort 📍 Hemu Kanas Mongolian Township, Hemu Scenic Area, Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang ⏰ Estimated opening: Trial runs start Nov 7 ✨ Things to do: Beyond the slopes, explore the historic Hemu village. The resort offers ski-in/ski-out stays. Winter cabins set against snowy plains create iconic views. ✨ Highlights: One of China’s largest ski areas, dramatic vertical drop, and an immersive way to experience North Xinjiang’s winter village scenery while you ski. Beyond these popular destinations, more resorts—Jiangjun Mountain, Yunding, Thaiwoo, Lake Songhuahu, Yabuli, and the National Alpine Skiing Center—are opening in succession. ✨ Resorts that have officially announced opening dates: - Keketuohai International Ski Resort opens on Oct 20 - Altay Jiangjun Mountain Ski Resort opens on Oct 30 - Wanlong Ski Resort, Yunding Ski Park, and Forlong Ski Resort open on Oct 31 - Thaiwoo Ski Town opens on Nov 4 - Beidahu Ski Resort and Cuiyunshan Yinhe Ski Field start trial runs on Nov 7 - Lake Songhuahu Resort opens on Nov 20 - Changbai Mountain Wanda International Resort opens on Nov 21 📝 Tips for skiers 1. Early-season snow can be variable with icy patches. Warm up thoroughly, wear proper protection, and choose runs suited to your level. 2. November is peak opening month for major resorts. Book hotels and lift tickets in advance. 3. Know the difference between trial runs and official opening. Always check the resort’s official notices before you go. This winter, head for the snowcapped mountains and keep your date with the white world. For the 2026–2027 season, let’s head up the mountain for opening day. 🏔️

Effective October 10, 2026, the fuel surcharge for domestic passenger flights will increase. ✈️ Domestic flight fuel surcharge update ⏰ Effective date: October 10, 2026 ✨ Highlights: • For segments 800 km and under, the per-passenger fuel surcharge will be updated to the new standard. • For segments over 800 km, the per-passenger fuel surcharge will be updated to the new standard. • Children and eligible passenger groups receive a 50% discount on the fuel surcharge. • The fuel surcharge is determined by the original ticketing date. Changes will not trigger refunds or additional collection. 💡 Travel tip: Infants are exempt from the fuel surcharge. Children and eligible passenger groups receive a 50% discount. Follow flight status and plan your trip!

In the past couple of years, temples aren’t just packed with worshippers—they’ve also become cultural merch trendsetters. You may have to line up for bracelets, race for blind boxes, and fridge magnets sell out fast. Visiting a temple without picking up some merch just feels like something’s missing 👇 🛕 Hangzhou Lingyin Temple • 18-seed bracelet 📍 Address: No. 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Rd, Xihu District, Hangzhou (ritual items counter) 🙏 How to buy: Head to the ritual items counter for the 18-seed bracelet—a bodhi bead strand with 18 different seeds. You’ll see it on almost everyone. ✨ Highlight: Lingyin’s 18-seed bracelet got so popular it once sold out. Each bead is different, and wearing it brings a little peace of mind. 🛕 Chengdu Wenshu Monastery • merch store blind boxes 📍 Address: Wenshuyuan St, Qingyang District, Chengdu (on-site merch store) 🙏 How to buy: Browse the on-site merch store—bracelets, plush dolls, and charms fill the shelves, plus blind boxes to try your luck. ✨ Highlight: It’s a check-in hotspot. Some visitors even get small freebies for checking in. What you pull from the blind box all comes down to luck. 🛕 Beijing Yonghe Temple • incense-ash glass bracelet 📍 Address: 12 Yonghegong St, Dongcheng District, Beijing (ritual items counter) 🙏 How to buy: For the incense-ash glass bracelet, go early and line up—people start waiting at 7:00 AM and rush in at opening. ✨ Highlight: One of the most viral temple items online, with hashtag views topping 100 million. Even a 2-hour line can’t stop the hype. 🛕 Shaolin Temple • kung fu-themed merch 📍 Address: Shaolin Temple, Songshan, Dengfeng, Henan (merch store inside the scenic area) 🙏 How to buy: Visit the temple’s merch store—bracelets and kung fu-themed goods pack the counters. After touring Shaolin, grab a piece to take with you. ✨ Highlight: Temple merch powered by the kung fu IP. It’s a must-stop for visitors—take Shaolin kung fu home in souvenir form. 🛕 Chiang Mai Wat Phra That Doi Suthep • fortune stick drawing 📍 Address: On Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand (inside Wat Phra That Doi Suthep) 🙏 How to play: Drop a coin, shake the fortune stick cylinder, and draw a lot—match the number to the interpretation slip. It’s the Thai temple version of a blind box. ✨ Highlight: Drawing lots is free. Afterward, pay respects at the golden chedi and take in Chiang Mai’s panorama for all the ceremony feels. 🛕 Bangkok Erawan Shrine area • deity charms 📍 Address: Ratchaprasong district, Bangkok (around the Erawan Shrine) 🙏 How to buy: Browse the souvenir stalls—rows of Erawan Shrine and Ganesha mini charms. Pick one you like and take it with you. ✨ Highlight: Deity charms are classic gifts. With many designs, they look great on a bag or keychain for a touch of exotic flair. How hot is temple merch right now? Lines, flash sales, and hashtags with over 100 million views—this is how culture travels home with visitors. Which temple merch have you bought? Share in the comments 👇 Note: Fortune drawing is a folk experience. Results are for reference and fun only. Shop within your means and spend wisely.

Want to see giant pandas? Beyond Chengdu, many cities across China offer great viewing, with pandas of all personalities waiting to meet you. Here’s our roundup 👇 Sichuan 🐼 Hehua (Huahua) 📍 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Born in 2020, a short, chubby, and super-fluffy sweetheart at the Chengdu base. She stays calm even when her bamboo gets snatched. In 2023, her “triangle rice ball” look dominated trending searches, sending the base’s ticket sales soaring 9x, with 800,000+ Super Topic followers. Widely regarded as today’s top female star among pandas. 🐼 Fu Bao 📍 Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda Born in 2020 at Everland in South Korea. Keepers made her a guitar, flower crowns, and little glasses. Before she came home, a petition on Korean sites drew tens of thousands of signatures. She returned to Sichuan in April 2024, with Chinese and Korean media coverage rivaling a celebrity’s airport arrival. 🐼 Xiang Xiang 📍 Bifengxia Base, Ya’an Born in 2017 at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. A nationwide naming vote drew 320,000 entries. She generated billions of yen in economic impact each year for Japan. When she returned to China in February 2023, Japanese media aired a 12-hour live farewell. Beijing 🐼 Meng Lan 📍 Beijing Zoo Born in 2015, Beijing Zoo’s serial escape artist. He’s climbed walls by stepping on a red ball, twisted door handles, and cheekily teased visitors from afar. A single Douyin video topped 300 million views. Netizens jokingly call him Beijing’s “985” genius on the loose. Jiangsu 🐼 Mengxun & Aobao 📍 Suzhou Taihu National Wetland Park A brother-sister duo born in 2022 and total foodies. You can also watch them play-fight—super lively and adorable. 🐼 Jiujiu 📍 Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo Known as the most beautiful panda in East China. More than just a pretty face, Jiujiu is quite the performer—you might even catch this panda dancing. Chongqing 🐼 Shuangshuang, Zhongzhong, Xixi, and Qingqing (the “Four Joy Meatballs”) 📍 Chongqing Zoo There are 23 pandas here—one of them is sure to steal your heart. The viral foursome “Four Joy Meatballs” is from this zoo, and if you’re lucky, you might even see them “playing mahjong.” Liaoning 🐼 Feiyun 📍 Dalian Forest Zoo The zoo’s first-gen internet-famous female: round head, snow-white coat. Fans lovingly call her “Feiyun piggy.” Together with Jinhu and Miaoyin, she’s one of “Dalian’s three treasures.” Livestreams often draw 100,000+ viewers year-round. Shaanxi 🐼 Qizai 📍 Qinling Four Treasures Science Park The world’s only captive brown giant panda, discovered in Foping, Shaanxi, in 2009. With chocolate-colored fur, he’s jokingly nicknamed the Labrador of the panda world. Shandong 🐼 Yaji 📍 Jinan Zoo A little hidden gem who really knows how to work a crowd. When standing on all fours, Yaji looks like a small bench—hence the cute nickname “Little Bench.” Which panda has stolen your heart? Beyond the stars above, many other provinces across China have adorable giant pandas waiting to meet you. Start planning your panda trip and witness the charm of this national treasure up close

The Badaling Great Wall South Route is at its most enchanting in fall, when hillsides are awash in color and crimson leaves set off the ancient walls, creating a gentle seasonal tableau. 🍁 Hillsides of red leaves In late October, up to 90% of the leaves turn red, blanketing the mountains in vivid scarlet. Chinese smoketree, Shantung maple, staghorn sumac, and other colorful species weave a rich, painterly scene with layers and hues. 🚠 Ground cable car The ground cable car glides through the woods and gently climbs, letting you take in the fall colors along the way. Outside the window, scarlet and orange interlace as dappled light dances by. Nearby red leaves brush the glass, while the Great Wall winds off in the distance—easily unlock prime leaf‑peeping views. 🌳 Sea of colorful foliage Across more than 160 acres of red‑leaf forest along the South Route, Chinese smoketree billows like clouds at sunset, Shantung maple mixes gold and red, and staghorn sumac burns bright. Mountain apricot and Boston ivy add accents, with deep and light tones interwoven to paint a singular fall scene. ⏳ Best time to visit: Oct–Nov. 📍 Location: Badaling Great Wall South Route, Yanqing District, Beijing 💡 Travel tip: Go on a clear day. Early morning or mid‑afternoon light is best for photos. Come to the Badaling Great Wall South Route and witness a spectacular fall scene where ancient walls meet crimson leaves!

The Summer Palace in Beijing is now at its best for fall colors. In late fall, green trees turn golden, hillsides blaze with color, and the scenery is picture-perfect, making it hard to tear yourself away. 🍂 Stroll the paths in fall Wander the tree-lined paths of the Summer Palace with golden leaves underfoot and the soft rustle of a breeze in your ears. The spirit of fall is everywhere. Whether you savor a quiet moment alone or walk with family and friends, you will feel the season’s gentle beauty. 🐦 Magpies on the branches In late fall at the Summer Palace, you can often spot magpies perched on branches, adding a lively touch to the autumn scene. Their silhouettes against the golden leaves create a charming contrast, as if offering visitors a good omen for the season. 📍 Location: Summer Palace, Haidian District, Beijing 💡 Travel tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Strolling along the smaller paths is the best way to enjoy the beauty of fall. Come to Beijing’s Summer Palace and experience the gentle, poetic beauty of late fall!

On December 22, 2026, the first independently invested and operated tourist train by New Oriental Cultural Tourism, "New Oriental · Xiake," will depart from Beijing, kicking off a 10-day, 9-night Northeast culture journey. This themed "Journey to the East" train blends culture, ice and snow, and folk traditions to offer travelers a one-of-a-kind travel experience. 🚂 A room that moves The train has 18 carriages and carries only 190 guests—fewer people, quiet, and unrushed. Choose soft-sleeper 3-person rooms or private 4-person compartments, each with an ensuite bathroom. No crowded shared washrooms—freshen up, then curl up in bed and watch the snowy scenery stream past. ☕ There is also a living room on board With a dining car and a multifunction carriage, you’ll find cultural talks, a tea room, a game room, and traditional Chinese medicine therapy. Listen to lectures, sip tea, and play chess by day; unwind with therapy at night. Perfect for family trips, family-friendly travel, and leisure and wellness. 📖 Put culture into the itinerary The route weaves in intangible cultural heritage experiences, expert-led explanations, focused museum sessions, and folk performances. Step off to enjoy the scenery, and step back on to broaden your horizons. The train is more than transportation—it’s a moving cultural space. ❄️ Ten days to understand a richer Northeast China 🔹 The inaugural departure leaves Beijing Station on Dec 22, travels via Tianjin, Changchun, Yichun, Harbin, Dunhua, Yanji, and Shenyang, and returns to Beijing on Dec 31. The journey lasts 10 days and 9 nights. 🔹 The itinerary follows the thread of culture + ice and snow + folk customs: from the cinematic memories at the former Changchun Film Studio 🎞️ to forest work songs and intangible wooden collage art in the Lesser Khingan forest 🌲; from the European charm of Harbin’s Central Street and Ice and Snow World ☃️ to a geology lecture at Changbai Mountain Tianchi 🏔️… the landscape sets the stage, and culture adds the notes. Come aboard "New Oriental · Xiake" and embark on an unforgettable Northeast culture journey!

In late fall, BEIJING W TOWN and the Simatai Great Wall have launched a 2-day, 1-night fall foliage itinerary, so you can enjoy leaf-peeping from above, night performances, hot spring therapy, and hands-on intangible cultural heritage experiences. 🍁 Hilltop hall and harvest town The hilltop hall at BEIJING W TOWN is a perfect lookout for distant mountains draped in red leaves. Sit on the terrace of the Cloud Café, sip a special fall drink, feel the breeze on your face, and take in the picture-perfect foliage. 🌾 Wangjing harvest street This is a great spot for family-friendly farm fun. The whole family can share the joy of the fall harvest and bring home wonderful memories. 🚣 Tanghe River sculling Board a wooden sculling boat from the three piers at Yangu, Sun and Moon Island, and Mandarin Duck Lake. Watch the reflections of red leaves ripple on the Tanghe River and soak up the quiet romance of fall. 🧗 Eastern section of the Simatai Great Wall Climb the eastern section of the Simatai Great Wall and gaze out at the "sea of Miyun." Red leaves cascade over the wall and beacon towers, creating a majestic fall panorama. 🌌 Night performances At night, BEIJING W TOWN comes alive with light and shadow shows. The Great Wall tower show, musical water dance show, and stargazing concerts light up fall evenings with a burst of color. ♨️ Yudao Hot Spring and Yuda Hot Spring Pool Mountain hot springs are a soothing choice in fall. Soak in the warm waters as dusk settles over the mountains and relax your body and mind. 🎨 Intangible cultural heritage crafts Under the guidance of artisans, try bead art, pumpkin painting, tie-dye handkerchiefs, or kite making to experience the unique charm of intangible cultural heritage. 🍴 Local flavors at BEIJING W TOWN Traditional treats like qiaotou cake, tofu pockets, and shredded radish patties will make your mouth water. Stone-milled tofu from Huangdouguan Tofu Workshop and traditional rock sugar candied hawthorn skewers are also great for photos. 💡 Travel tips: Wear comfortable hiking shoes. Mountain areas can have big temperature swings, so bring a light jacket. Book your stay in advance to avoid sold-out weekends. Come to BEIJING W TOWN and the Simatai Great Wall for a breathtaking fall getaway!

On Oct 25, 2026, the watchtowers no. 19–20 at the Mutianyu Great Wall completed restoration and reopened to visitors, and the iconic red foliage viewpoint is open again. As autumn winds brush the mountains, the hillsides blush crimson and amber, and the Great Wall weaves with the colorful forests into a magnificent fall panorama. 🌉 Watchtower no. 20 Watchtower no. 20 offers sweeping views and is the top spot at the Mutianyu Great Wall for red foliage. From here, the rolling wall and layers of scarlet leaves stretch out before you—every shot is a stunner. 🍁 Mountains ablaze with red leaves In fall, red leaves play beautifully against the ancient walls of the Mutianyu Great Wall. From higher up, the sinuous wall resembles a dragon threading through a sea of colorful forests, showcasing rugged power and grandeur. 📍 Location: Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District, Beijing ⏰ Time: Open to visitors again from Oct 25, 2026 Come to watchtowers no. 19–20 at the Mutianyu Great Wall and take in the breathtaking fall colors across the mountains!