Saw this email exchange between a client and my colleague, thought it’s really useful for anyone planning a trip to China in the fall.
Clients email: My husband and I are planning a trip to Asia in late September and are very interested in visiting Tibet and Lijiang. We will arrive September 26th to Shanghai and will depart October 11th so we will have 14 days for touring. We are very active and are open to cultural trekking, biking, etc.
My colleague’s answer covered a series of recommended activities and sites, but this is the most important message: Late September to early October is one of the best time to visit China as the weather then is mostly pleasant. However, during the week-long National Holiday ( Oct 1st – 8th ) or few days before/after, all places in China will see a lot of domestic tourists. If your schedule is flexible, we would like to suggest we make the tour plan after Oct 15th , when the weather is cooler and you will be able to enjoy the local culture as well as the beautiful scenery.
Avoid China during Chinese New Year and Oct 1-7th golden week at all costs. Too many domestic travelers.