Looking for the best places to see fall colors in Xi’an? Autumn paints the ancient city in fiery reds and golden yellows, creating a stunning mix of nature and history.
With the best time to visit usually from mid-October to mid-November, and easy transport options to scenic spots, experiencing Xi’an in fall is both beautiful and convenient. This guide will help you plan your perfect seasonal getaway.
1. Hanyangling Ginkgo Forest: A Golden Sea Beyond Time
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a sea of gold, Hanyangling Ginkgo Forest (西安汉阳陵银杏林) will make that dream real.
Located just outside Xi’an, this is the largest ginkgo forest in the city, and without a doubt one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Xi’an. By mid-November, over a thousand ancient ginkgo trees erupt into golden brilliance. The effect? Utterly breathtaking.
Golden leaves blanket the ground like a royal carpet. Walk slowly. Let the soft rustle of your footsteps echo through the forest. It’s quiet, peaceful, and deeply poetic. All around you, two thousand years of history whisper from the nearby tombs of Emperor Jing of Han—creating a rare meeting of nature and legacy.
This is more than a scenic spot. It’s a seasonal pilgrimage. Every year, travelers from all over China rush here to witness the so-called “golden carpet.” If you haven’t planned your poetic autumn getaway yet, this should be the one.
How to Get There:
About 20 km from downtown Xi’an – best reached by taxi or self-drive.
Direct Shuttle Bus:
You can take the Cultural Relic Tourism Express Bus from the Shaanxi History Museum (departing at 09:00) directly to Hanyangling. The return bus departs from Hanyangling at 16:30.
Entrance Fee: ¥40 (includes Hanyangling Museum)
Hours: 8:30–18:00
Phone: +86 29 8603 2806
2. Xingqing Palace Park: Where Romance Rides on Autumn Leaves
Step into Xingqing Palace Park (兴庆宫) and you step into a Tang Dynasty love story.
Once the royal playground of Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved consort Yang Guifei, this park now blooms with quiet romance in autumn. It’s one of the best places to see fall foliage in Xi’an, especially if you crave beauty with a touch of history.
Enter through the south gate and you’re greeted by a mirror-still pond, reflecting artfully arranged rockeries and Tang-style pavilions. But keep walking, and the real magic begins.
Scarlet maples flare like fire, while golden ginkgoes dazzle in the breeze. Mixed among them are soapberry trees and Chinese ash, their leaves forming vibrant color blocks like a mosaic of the season. Rent a small boat and glide across the lake under a canopy of color—it’s quiet, it’s romantic, and it’s unforgettable.
The Tang charm still lingers here, floating with every leaf that falls.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 6 to Xingqinggong Station. The park is right outside.
Entrance Fee: Free
Hours: 6:00–22:00
Phone: +86 29 8248 7204
3. Tang Da Ci’en Temple Heritage Park: Where History Meets Golden Silence
If you only visit one place to experience fall in Xi’an, make it this.
Right beside the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda lies a lesser-known gem—Tang Da Ci’en Temple Heritage Park (唐大慈恩寺遗址公园). In autumn, this tranquil space becomes one of the best places to see Fall leaves in Xi’an.
Once the imperial garden of the Tang Dynasty, the park still feels poetic. A quiet lake mirrors the crimson leaves overhead. Winding paths disappear into groves where golden ginkgoes and blazing red maples meet like brushstrokes in a living ink painting.
By late October, over a hundred ginkgo trees create a glowing canopy. Sunlight filters through the leaves, painting everything in layers of gold and amber. The fallen leaves beneath your feet feel like nature’s soft carpet.
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. As light dances across the temple rooflines and golden branches, you’ll feel suspended between ancient serenity and autumn’s vivid glory.
This spot easily ranks among the Top 10 Places to See Fall Foliage in Xi’an, and for good reason.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 3 or 4 to Dayanta Station (Exit C). Walk about 600 meters.
Entrance Fee: Free
Hours: 6:00–22:00
Phone: +86 29 8555 1419
4. Xi’an City Wall & Huan Cheng Park: Autumn Beneath Ancient Stones
Some cities write history in books—Xi’an writes it in bricks.
In autumn, the ancient Xian City Wall becomes one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Xi’an, and perhaps the most poetic. Imagine riding a bike or strolling along the top of the wall as golden ginkgoes and crimson leaves ripple below along the moat. The past and present blend with every step.
Beneath the eastern stretch from Dongmen to Jianguomen, the tree-lined Huan Cheng Park (环城公园 City Wall Park) quietly glows. The ginkgo trees stand in formation along the water’s edge, their golden fans rustling in the breeze. Centuries-old bricks peer out from behind the leaves, softened by time and sunlight.
Visit early in the morning with a cup of tea in hand. Locals stretch and stroll beneath the trees. The stone benches, the dappled light, the fluttering leaves—it all feels like a Tang Dynasty painting come to life.
It’s not just one of the best places to see autumn foliage in Xi’an, it’s where the city’s soul reveals itself, leaf by leaf.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station.
Entrance Fee: ¥54 (City Wall ticket)
Hours: 8:00–22:00 (South Gate section)
Phone: +86 29 8727 2792
5. Qujiang Pool Heritage Park: A Mirror of Autumn in Water and Light
Few places in Xi’an capture the soul of autumn quite like Qujiang Pool Heritage Park (曲江池遗址公园).
This massive water garden, rare in Northwest China, turns into an enchanted world come fall. A 3.7-kilometer golden trail loops around the lake, linking ancient-style pavilions with ginkgo groves and crimson maple trees. It’s one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Xi’an, especially for those who love reflections and romance.
The most magical moment? When golden ginkgo trees shimmer across the rippling lake. The line between real and reflected blurs. A passing boat scatters the mirrored leaves like molten gold across the water. Even the Tang poet Bai Juyi’s verses pale in comparison.
How to Get There:
Metro Line 4 to Qujiangchi West Station (Exit D). Walk 8 minutes to the South Gate.
Best Time to Visit:
Early November (for peak golden ginkgo)
Daily from 4:00–6:00 PM (golden hour light)
Extra Tip:
Pick up a free hand-drawn bilingual autumn map at the North Gate Visitor Center.
6. Daming Palace National Heritage Park: Walking Through Gold and Glory
If you want to see where autumn meets imperial grandeur, this is it.
Daming Palace (大明宫) was once the political heart of the Tang Dynasty. Today, its vast ruins have become a golden canvas in fall. Here, under rows of towering ginkgoes, history breathes in soft sunlight. It’s easily one of the best places to see fall colors in Xi’an—and one of the most spacious too.
Near the Xuánwǔ Gate, a grand avenue of ancient ginkgo trees lines the old imperial path. In late afternoon, their golden leaves catch the sun like threads of molten light. Walk slowly. Listen to the crunch beneath your feet. You’re walking the same path emperors once did.
Climb the ruins of Hányuán Hall and look out. The contrast is stunning—golden treetops stretch across the ruins of a once-mighty palace. The entire scene feels like a silent, golden memory of Xi’an’s imperial past.
Visit two hours before sunset for the most dramatic light. Even on weekends, the park is so wide you’ll feel like you have it all to yourself.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 4 to Daminggong Station.
Entrance Fee: ¥60 (includes heritage area)
Hours: 8:30–18:00
Phone: +86 29 8220 0808
7. Small Wild Goose Pagoda: A Quiet Autumn Hidden in the City
Amid Xi’an’s urban buzz, there’s a pocket of pure stillness—and it glows gold in autumn.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda (小雁塔) tucked inside the peaceful Jianfu Temple, is one of the most meditative spots on any Xi’an travel in autumn. Here, history stands tall in the form of an ancient brick pagoda. Beside it, a ginkgo tree that’s stood for over a thousand years drops golden leaves like silent blessings.
Each season paints this place differently. But in fall, it becomes something else entirely. Towering old trees blend fiery reds, soft greens, and brilliant yellows into one vivid canvas. The air feels cooler, quieter. As golden leaves float gently to the temple grounds, they bring a sense of calm few places can offer.
This spot is perfect for slow travelers. Come alone. Come early. Let the quiet settle around you like a robe of autumn light.
It’s not just one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Xi’an—it’s where peace and poetry meet.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 2 to Nanshaomen Station. Walk 8 minutes.
Entrance Fee: Free (Pagoda climb: ¥30)
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Phone: +86 29 8781 1091
8. Qinglong Temple: Where Autumn Whispers Among Ancient Eaves
If you’re seeking the quiet side of fall, Qinglong Temple (青龙寺) might be your favorite chapter in this journey.
Tucked away in the southeastern part of Xi’an, this serene temple feels worlds apart from the busy city. It’s one of the best spots to see fall colors in Xi’an, especially for those drawn to peaceful places with deep cultural roots.
Here, crimson maple leaves flutter beside golden ginkgoes. Ancient rooftops peek through the trees, their curved eaves dusted in soft yellow. The silence is broken only by the soft rustling of leaves dropping to the ground—a rhythm that feels almost like music.
The view is painterly. Layers of red, yellow, and green stretch out like a scroll painting, unrolling slowly as you walk deeper into the temple grounds. It’s not just beautiful—it’s meditative. A perfect place to pause, breathe, and let the season sink in.
If you’re wondering where to see fall colors in Xi’an that feels truly sacred, this is it.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 3 to Qinglongsi Station. The temple is nearby.
Entrance Fee: Free (Reservation required)
Hours: 8:30–17:00
Phone: +86 29 8552 1498
9. Huaqing Palace: Autumn Reflections in the Emperor’s Bath
As the red maples on Mount Li begin to blush, Huaqing Palace slips quietly into its most poetic season.
For over a thousand years, this hot spring retreat has been a place of royal romance, from the Tang emperors to the tragic beauty of Yang Guifei. But in autumn, it becomes something even more timeless. It’s easily among the best places to see autumn leaves in Xi’an, especially if you want a taste of history steeped in nature.
Golden ginkgo leaves flutter past ancient palace eaves. Wisps of steam rise from the hot springs and swirl around fiery maples, creating a dreamlike haze. Every falling leaf seems to carry whispers of the past—verses of the Song of Everlasting Sarrow echoing through the gardens.
The mix of color and memory here is extraordinary. It’s not just scenery; it’s a feeling that lingers.
For the full experience, come between October 25 and November 15, when red maples and golden ginkgoes peak together. Don’t forget to stop by the souvenir shop inside—their autumn-themed stamps (ginkgo or maple) are a charming bonus.
How to Get There:
Metro Line 9 to Huaqingchi Station, Exit B.
Or drive and park at the east gate parking lot.
Entrance Fee: ¥120 (includes Huaqing Palace + Mount Li)
Hours: Check locally, typically open full day
Extra Tip: Show your ticket at the gift shop to collect a free limited-edition autumn stamp.
10. Shuyuanmen Cultural Street: Ink, Leaves, and the Poetry of Autumn
Just inside Xi’an’s Yongning Gate, a narrow lane quietly comes alive each autumn.
Shuyuanmen Cultural Street (书院门文化街), lined with calligraphy shops and ancient courtyards, is one of the city’s most atmospheric places. Come fall, it’s also one of the best places to see fall colors in Xi’an, especially if you’re drawn to slow strolls and old-world charm.
As the wind rustles through the towering ginkgo trees outside Guanzhong Academy, golden leaves float down beside rice paper hung out to dry. The scent of ink and roasted sweet potatoes mingles in the air. This street feels like a scroll come to life—each leaf stamped with a scholar’s quiet thought.
Don’t miss the “Ginkgo Rain” in early November. By 8 a.m., elderly locals are sweeping leaves with handmade brooms. Their rhythm blends with the temple bell tones drifting over from the Stele Forest Museum nearby. It’s serene, elegant, and deeply rooted in Xi’an’s cultural soul.
This is not just a leaf-viewing spot. It’s a gentle immersion into tradition.
How to Get There:
Take Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station, Exit D2. Walk 5 minutes.
Best Time to Visit: November 1–15 (Try weekday mornings to avoid the weekend crowds)
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Autumn in Xi’an is a perfect harmony of ancient soul and natural splendor.
Whether you’re strolling under golden ginkgo canopies or gazing from a mountaintop over hills painted in red and gold, the season wraps the city in quiet magic. It’s a place where history whispers through the trees and every fallen leaf seems to tell a story.
For photographers, nature lovers, and cultural explorers alike, these best places to see fall colors in Xi’an offer more than just scenery—they promise moments you’ll never forget.
So while the colors are still glowing and the air is crisp, come lose yourself in this vibrant autumn journey. Xi’an is waiting—drape
🗺️Further Reading
What to Wear in Xi’an in September: Your Complete Guide
How to Buy Terracotta Warriors Tickets: Your Ultimate Guide
What to Buy in Xi’an: Best Gifts from Xi’an
Best Markets in Xi’an – Street Markets, Night Markets & Travel Tips
How to Visit the Terracotta Warriors: Tickets, Map, Highlights & Tips
How to Visit Xi’an City Wall: Map, Tickets, South Gate & Travel Tips
How to Visit Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an: A Complete Guide
How to Visit Muslim Quarter Xi’an: Map, Top Foods and Travel Tips
