Best Outdoor Activities for Autumn in China

A few great ideas for what to do with the fantastic fall weather in China.

It is already October, and with the Mid-Autumn Festival having just wrapped up, most people are setting their sights on 2014 and the getting ready to say zaijian to the year of the snake. But, overlooking autumn in China would be a huge mistake since the weather is exceptional, making October and November the perfect time to get outside for some fresh air and to take in some local culture and scenery before the cold settles in.

Football

All North Americans know that fall means just one thing: football. While the hype that comes with watching NFL games on TV may be lost on most other countries, throwing the pigskin around and playing touch football games in the park is a great way to get a bunch of guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds together to enjoy the cooling temps. And for the Colonials, rugby (aka: footie) is a great option too, even though it will take some explaining for the Americans who are used to throwing the ball forward rather than back.

Leaf Peeping

Although the name sounds ridiculous (peeping sort of implies voyeurism, doesn’t it?), getting out of the city to take in some nature and see some of China’s less developed regions is a must. Autumn is the best time of year to do it since throughout the country the hills are lighting up with fall colors of gold, crimson and orange, and the skies tend to be clear and blue with little chance of rain.

In northern China, the foliage is expected to be exceptional just about everywhere thanks to plenty of rain (actually far too much in some places) this summer, and the aspens and poplars always put on a fantastic display.

In central China, almost any location above 1,000 meters in elevation will start to see the leaves changing now, and the higher and cooler the location the more color there will be. Down south the temps are still pretty warm, but getting up into the mountains will surely yield some fall foliage by early to mid-November.

For a few official camping areas and some related recommendations, check out China Health Insurance’s earlier Camping In China blog entry.

Bulk Up

Bulking up doesn’t necessarily mean putting on muscle or weight (though it generally comes naturally once winter starts), but rather trying to stock up on some of the great fruits and nuts that are hard to find during the rest of the year but are abundant during the fall in China. Raisins, almonds, walnuts, dates, figs, apricots, hazelnuts and the like are all over the place in autumn and they are super cheap from the local markets.

These goodies can be used in cookies, pies, cakes and crumbles for the next few months (thus the extra pounds) to get through the winter cozily and much more economically than buying dried fruits and nuts at an expensive foreign grocery store. Apple picking is not usually open to the public in China, so this could serve as a great alternative option.

Young kids love doing scouting for dried goods, because it can be made into a scavenger hunt of sorts and in the end they get to use and eat the ingredients they helped collect, dry, and store or freeze. It is a great chance to impart some healthier eating habits and a bit of awareness about how agriculture is reliant on seasons and climate, as well as how shopping locally is good for sustainability.

Bike Rides

Whether it’s a 65 kilometer road trek or just a dozen blocks away to a favorite coffee shop or restaurant, getting the trusty bike out to experience the fall breezes is a must during autumn in China. Cool morning and evenings are the perfect time to do a short ride without breaking a sweat. And with plenty of warm afternoons in between, there is ample opportunity to while away on a patio or picnic blanket snacking, sipping and reading, since that’s what this time of year it is all about anyway.

Run or Walk a Marathon

The cooler temperatures of fall are ideal for running, and there are loads of marathons, half-marathons, and 5K and 10K-style races and events to choose from in China during late 2013.

On October 20, Beijing will host the annual Beijing International Marathon. The Hangzhou International Marathon will be held on November 11, and in Shanghai the Toray Cup will be run on December 1, just to name a few.

Additionally, there are several running events planned in Hong Kong ranging from competitive, international marathons to kid’s fun runs, just visit HKRunners for dates and more details.

Finally, on November 22 the Maratona Internacional De Macau will welcome athletes from around the world for both a full and a half marathon around the city.

All of the above mentioned races feature various classes to suit runners of all levels, with some challenges as short as 3.5 kilometers.

Hiking and Camping

China hasn’t yet adopted camping as a mainstream hobby, so campgrounds are still pretty scarce. However, searching the internet or asking woodsy friends who have been in China for a while will likely turn up a few locations where you are permitted to pitch a tent for a couple of nights to enjoy China’s great outdoors. Alternatively, by choosing an “informal” camping spot, it’s easier to avoid the big crowds and enjoy the trails early in the day before anyone else shows up.

There are absolutely tons of other great outdoor activities to take part in this fall in China, but no matter what you do, be sure to get out there and enjoy it while you can.