THE 2010s have already come and gone, and a new decade has begun. Now well into the start of 2020, it’s time to consider your next round of travel plans before the year passes you by. If you missed visiting these best destinations around China in past years, use this list to plan the best time to see them this time around. September: A golden world Autumn in Nanjing is transitory but stunning. Travelers who make the area’s autumn tourism window are left swooning over the yellow, red and gold leaves that fall from trees swayed by crisp gusts of wind. Nanjing has fabulous fall foliage unrivaled in East China. The many classic Chinese-style red, ancient buildings in the city only add to the fall aesthetic. Located in Burqin County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and sharing borders with Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia, Kanas Nature Reserve boasts an ecosystem formed of lakes, rivers, glaciers, forests and grasslands. The area is among the most alluring resorts in northern Xinjiang, and one of its highlights is Kanas Lake, described as a pearl shining on the river. The color of the lake varies with the seasons and weather. September and October, when the warm hues of flowers and leaves covering the nearby mountainsides contrast with the deep-blue body of water, are great months for visiting. October: Picturesque scenery We mostly picture grasslands as how they look in the summer: warm and green with the sun overhead. However, not many people realize that the grasslands are also magnificent in autumn. Located in Fengning Man Autonomous County, Hebei Province, the Bashang Grasslands are close to Beijing. The 350-square-kilometer grasslands were a summer resort for imperial families in ancient times. By the time autumn arrives, the peak tourism season is over, making it a great time for taking candid, natural shots. Your camera lens will be filled by vast grasslands and stretching skies, truly capturing the refreshing solitude of the Bashang autumn. An international natural conservationist who has traveled across the world once described his visit to Jiuzhai Valley in Sichuan as the biggest honor of his life. Jiuzhai Valley, located in the mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is well-known for its minority communities, superb mountainous landscapes and stunning scenery. It is most beautiful in the fall. With bright and clear skies, the colorful leaves reflecting in the clear lakes, and fallen leaves floating on the surface of the water, it’s one masterpiece of a destination. November: The magic of nature The county of Wuyuan in Jiangxi Province possesses great natural beauty and is famous for gorgeous, vast fields of yellow canola flowers at springtime. However, Wuyuan in autumn presents another charm. From October to late November is the best time to catch its distinct red and yellow leaves and morning fall-time mists. There are many small villages in the Wuyuan area, and many of these house temples and other well-preserved ancient architectures. Seeing villages shrouded by mist, red maples and gold ginkgo trees will make the trip worth it. Xiapu Mudflat in Fujian is a humble but favored destination for photography enthusiasts. It is regarded as the most beautiful coastline in China and reputed as one of the top-10 best places for photography in China by shutterbugs. When autumn arrives, light and shadow interweave with each other, presenting a beauty that melts your heart. Photos come out as stunning as a postcard from every angle. December: The end but also the beginning When it snows, the solemn city of Beijing turns into a jumble of white-capped buildings and cars. Sometimes a red wintersweet bud pops up from beneath the snow, accenting the whitewashed winter cityscape. Snowfall at Beijing’s Forbidden City leaves a striking winter look. Red walls, white snow and glazed tiles give a poetic new look to the ancient landmark in wintertime. By December, it is already winter and even snowing in most places across China. However, by this time in Yunnan, spring is already knocking at the door. The hope of spring, the vitality of summer, the harvest of autumn and the apricity of winter — you can all find them all at Wu-liang Mountain, wintersweet where tea trees and cherry blossom can be seen everywhere. (Chen Xiaochun) | 