01 Baicheng City | Jilin
In November, the reeds of Nenjiang Bay are a caramel color, the wind ripples the water's surface, and there are so few people that you can hear the reeds rustling against each other.
⏰ It's best to enter the scenic area before 10 AM, when the slanting sunlight illuminates the reed beds and the fog has mostly dissipated; after 3 PM, the backlight makes photos taken directly with your phone look grayish.
📍 The Da'an Nenjiang Bay Tourist Area is quite large, and walking the whole way will be exhausting. Upon entering, check the sightseeing bus route and make the furthest viewing platform your first stop, then walk back along the boardwalk. Don't miss the bays along the boardwalk.
🍜 Back in Da'an city, eat river fish and iron pot stew. A small portion is enough for two people; don't order more dishes per person.
⚠️ The river wind is strong in November, so bring a hat, scarf, and gloves. When the boardwalk is frosty, wear non-slip shoes; avoid flat, smooth shoes.
Suitable for those who want a quiet walk and to photograph the reeds, not suitable for families looking for amusement rides.
🚄 Both Baicheng Station and Da'an Station are accessible; allow ample transfer time. Ticket prices and open areas are subject to official announcements on the day.
02 Datong City | Shanxi
Three questions to clarify: Can the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple be visited in one day? Yes, but you must leave early. Is Hengshan Mountain still worth climbing in November? It depends on the wind; if it's windy, give up on climbing to the summit and don't force yourself.
📍 Visit the Yungang Grottoes in the morning. Caves 5 and 6 have eaves that block the light, making the layers of the reliefs clearer.
⏰ Groups should gather after 11:00 AM; entering early allows you to stand in the open space in front of the caves for a while. The Hanging Temple is perched on a cliff face; the walkway is narrow, and during peak hours, the queues are longer than the actual visit. Elderly people with mobility issues are advised to view the panoramic view from below.
⚠️ The Hengshan cable car and some sections of the trail may be temporarily closed due to snow. Check the scenic area's announcements before you go, and don't just copy your summer itinerary. The wind on the mountain is several degrees lower than in the city; a down jacket with a windproof outer layer is more practical than a sweater.
🚄 There are buses from Datong South Station to Yungang; a taxi costs about 40 yuan. It's too rushed to squeeze all three places into one day; splitting it into two days is more stable. In the evening, return to the ancient city for knife-cut noodles and mutton offal. Staying near the city wall makes it convenient to move between locations.
03 Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture|Gansu
Which to choose: Liujiaxia or Bingling Temple? If time is tight, just take the boat. The boat departs from the dock near the Liujiaxia Dam, and the speedboat enters the Bingling Temple Gorge. The water is narrowed between stone walls on both sides; in November, the water is bluish, and it's windy, so remember to wear a hat.
📍 The highlight of the Bingling Temple Grottoes is the several niches of large Buddha statues on the cliff. After the boat docks, there are steps to climb; wear non-slip shoes, and don't wear new shoes that might cause blisters.
⚠️ Boat departures are reduced in winter. Check with the pier beforehand for the day's schedule to avoid arriving to find there aren't enough passengers.
🍜 Back in Linxia city, enjoy hand-pulled mutton and covered-bowl tea. The Bafang area offers many choices; ordering meat by weight is more economical. Ask about prices before sitting down. For Danxia landforms, head to the viewing platform near Liujiaxia Gorge; the colors are most vibrant half an hour before sunset.
Suitable for those who enjoy cultural experiences and light hiking, not for short trips in a rush.
🚄 The drive from Lanzhou isn't long; a two-day, one-night trip is perfect. Choose accommodation in the city center for easy travel between destinations.
04 Harbin | Heilongjiang
Harbin in November is "half-finished." Harbin Ice and Snow World usually doesn't open until mid-to-late December. Don't buy early flights if you're coming specifically for the ice sculptures.
⚠️ Refer to official announcements for specific opening dates; don't rely on secondhand or forwarded dates.
📍 St. Sophia Cathedral Square is less crowded in the morning; the brick walls with a light snow look best for photos. Take your pictures at the square and leave quickly. Volga Manor is in the suburbs; driving or hiring a car is more convenient. The park is large; a complete circuit takes at least two hours. ⏰ Enter the park before 2 PM to avoid rushing.
🍜 Near Central Street, try red sausage, sweet and sour pork, and Madier ice cream. The cobblestone streets are very slippery when icy; wear shoes with treads. It gets dark around 4 PM, so schedule your outdoor activities earlier and leave the indoor museums for later.
Suitable for those who want to see Russian architecture but don't want to brave the peak winter season; families with children should wait until the Ice and Snow World opens for a more complete experience.
05 Jingzhou City | Hubei
The ancient city is small; you can easily walk around.
📍 Start from Binyang Tower at the East Gate and walk south along the city wall. In November, the ginkgo leaves turn golden, and fallen leaves fill the cracks between the bricks, making a rustling sound underfoot. A gust of wind adds another layer of color.
⏰ Before 9 AM, the city wall is almost deserted. The sunlight shines from the east, clearly outlining the towers. At midday, the sun is warm, making it a good time to explore the city and find food. Try fish cakes, early morning noodles, and guokui (a type of flatbread), but don't order too much at once.
In the evening, see the Jingzhou lantern festival and folk customs. The lantern displays are concentrated before the festival. ⚠️ The lantern festival dates vary each year, so check local announcements before you go and don't plan your itinerary based on last year's dates. The city wall lights come on late, so it's worth the wait.
🚄 A taxi from Jingzhou Station to the ancient city costs around 20 yuan. Staying inside the city wall makes it more convenient for evening exploration. If you're traveling with elderly people, avoid walking on the city wall steps and instead explore the flat roads inside the city. You can fill the time at the museums and parks.
06 Anshan City | Liaoning Province
The peak of autumn foliage at Qianshan Mountain in November has passed, leaving only bare rocks, pine forests, and clear skies. If you want to capture the vibrant colors, come in early November; if you want to see the mountain shapes, come in mid-to-late November—half the crowds, no waiting for photo spots.
📍 The section from Wuliang Temple to Longquan Temple has many steps, suitable for hikers of normal fitness; for those with elderly people or children, take the cable car up and down—it saves knees and time.
⚠️ The wind is stronger on the mountain than in the city; a thin down jacket with a windproof outer layer is more effective than a sweater. Trekking poles are useful when the stone steps are frosty and offer poor grip.
🍜 After descending the mountain, go to Tanggangzi for hot springs, or return to the city for barbecue and Nanguo pears. It gets chilly at night, so hot springs are the most comforting. If you only have half a day, stick to one route; don't try to do too much.
Suitable for a short two-day, one-night trip; not suitable for those rushing through in a day.
🚄 A taxi from Anshan Station to the mountain gate isn't far; taking the early morning bus will avoid the afternoon wind.
07 Zhanjiang City | Guangdong
In Zhanjiang during November and December, daytime temperatures are around 20 degrees Celsius, the sun is comfortable, and a light jacket is enough for the mornings and evenings. Huguangyan is a crater lake; a loop around the lake is about seven kilometers. Renting a bicycle is less strenuous than walking and will conserve your energy.
📍 Enter Huguangyan from the east gate. First, circle around to the Maar Lake viewing platform, then walk along the tree-lined path; you'll be protected from the midday sun in the shade.
⚠️ It's windy by the lake, so bring a hat and sunscreen. Don't just go out in short sleeves; the wind at the seaside is quite different from that in the city.
🍜 Back in the city, enjoy boiled chicken, seafood porridge, and grilled oysters. The Xiashan area has a concentration of night market stalls; seafood is sold by weight, so ask the price before ordering. In terms of budget, you can find decent accommodations for 200-300 RMB during the off-season, making a leisurely three- or four-day trip quite affordable.
Suitable for those who are sensitive to cold but still want to see the sea, but not for those who want to swim.
🚄 There are buses from Zhanjiang Station to Huguangyan, and taxis are also inexpensive. Don't overschedule your itinerary.
08 Lianyungang City | Jiangsu
Huaguo Mountain and Lian Island, one in the mountains and the other by the sea, are both in Huaguo Mountain. The sea breeze is strong in November, so visiting both in one day will be rushed.
📍 From Huaguo Mountain, take the scenic shuttle bus from the mountain gate to the foot of Yunu Peak, then walk along the Water Curtain Cave section. The rocks are slippery year-round, so wear non-slip shoes.
⏰ Climb the mountain in the morning; the light gets dim quickly after 3 PM, so don't wait until evening.
Lian Island is best visited in the afternoon. Suma Bay beach is less crowded, and the sound of the waves is clear. ⚠️ During the off-season, some seafood stalls are closed; check which ones are full of locals before entering.
🍜 In the city center, try seafood noodles and Banpu cold noodles; ordering by portion is less likely to result in a bad experience.
🚄 A taxi from Lianyungang Station to Huaguo Mountain costs about 30 yuan. Getting to Lian Island is further, so driving or hiring a car is recommended. This itinerary is suitable for a two-day trip, but not for those only staying for half a day as a transit point.
Eight cities—off-the-beaten-path doesn't mean boring; it just means you can spend more time walking and relaxing instead of queuing.
If you really have to choose, in November, see the reed marshes of Baicheng and the grottoes of Datong first, then head south to Zhanjiang in December.
Which one would you like to visit first?