August 5, 2025

Early Fall in Beijing: What to Do Right After Summer Ends

Beijing’s early fall arrives quietly but beautifully — offering clear skies, fewer crowds, and just the right breeze to explore before the colder days kick in. Whether you’re visiting Beijing for the first time or you’re a seasoned explorer, early fall is your window to slow down and enjoy the city’s best outdoor experiences.

In this guide, we explore what early fall really feels like in Beijing, and share Our Beijing’s top picks for where to go and what to do — including a local park, a hidden hutong route, and a wild Great Wall hike for the adventurous.

🍂 What’s Early Fall in Beijing Like?

Early fall in Beijing typically begins in mid to late August, just after Lìqiū (立秋) — the solar term that marks the end of summer. But don’t expect golden leaves just yet. Instead, you’ll notice:

🌬️ Cooler mornings and evenings, with daytime highs still around 25–30°C.
🌤️ Fewer rainstorms, clearer air, and a soft blue sky perfect for photos.
👟 The beginning of hiking season — not too hot, not yet cold.

This transitional period only lasts a few weeks, so it’s the perfect time to head outdoors before Beijing enters full autumn chill.

🌳 Olympic Forest Park: A Leafy Escape Before the Rush

📍 Location: North 5th Ring, Chaoyang District

🚇 Metro: Olympic Green (Lines 8/15), then a short walk

Why visit in early fall?

The trees are still green, but the crowds of summer have disappeared.
Sunset walks around the South Lake are breezy and peaceful.
Spacious lawns and forest paths give you room to breathe.

What to do:

Rent a bike and ride along the park’s outer ring (over 10 km!).
Have a light picnic near the wetland area — mornings are best.

🍂 Why Early Fall Is the Perfect Time to Visit Beijing’s Hutongs

Beijing’s hutongs—the narrow alleys lined with gray-brick courtyards—are among the most atmospheric places to explore when summer gives way to autumn. As the air turns crisp and golden light spills into the lanes, the hutongs become not just a sightseeing destination but a window into real local life.

🍵 Why go in early fall?

Seasonal comfort: The heat and humidity of August start to fade, and the cool morning air makes it perfect for walking or biking.
Authentic daily life: Locals begin airing out quilts and chili peppers, kids ride bikes through the lanes, and breakfast stalls steam up with fresh baozi and doujiang. It’s everyday life at its most photogenic.
Changing trees: Many hutongs—especially those near Lama Temple and Shichahai—are lined with gingko or maple trees that begin changing color in early September. Golden leaves scattered along stone paths add a magical touch.

🚲 How to explore the hutongs like a local

Without local insight, it’s easy to miss the best parts of the hutongs—hidden temples, century-old shops, and back-alley teahouses. That’s where we come in. Our Beijing’s experiences are designed to take you beyond the surface and into the life of the lanes.

🏮 Our Hutong Bike Tour: Perfect for early autumn, this two-wheel adventure brings you through wide and narrow hutongs, old city walls, and unexpected courtyard stops. You’ll learn the stories that aren’t in guidebooks—like how a neighborhood got its name, or why certain doors are red.
🍲 Our Foodie Tour: As fall food hits the streets, we’ll take you to try seasonal eats like hawthorn desserts, roasted chestnuts, or pumpkin dumplings—while giving cultural background on why these flavors matter.

📍 Recommended Area: Wudaoying & Beixinqiao

These hutong neighborhoods combine local energy with hidden cafés, independent bookstores, and small temples. They’re walkable, camera-ready, and great for pairing a chai latte with cultural exploration.

💡 Pro Tips:

Go between 16:00–19:00 to experience peak morning life and soft golden light.
Bring a camera or sketchpad—it’s a photographer’s dream this time of year.
Don’t rush—sit down for tea in a courtyard café or stop to chat with a calligraphy artist.

Our curated hutong experiences are built for curious travelers who want something real. Whether you’re biking or eating, you’ll walk away with stories, not just photos. Ready to discover the soul of Beijing? Join us.

🧗‍♀️ Wild Great Wall Hike: The Perfect Weather Window

📍 Location: Huairou or Yanqing District (exact routes vary)

🚙 Travel: Private car or join Our Beijing’s guided Wild Wall trip

Why go now?

Early fall means cooler temperatures and zero mosquitos.
The hills are still green, but with golden tones beginning to show.
Some paths are dry and stable, making it safer for first-timers.

What to do:

Join Our Beijing’s Wild Wall hike — perfect for couples, solo travelers, or families.
Bring snacks, sunblock, and hiking shoes with good grip.
Stay until late afternoon for golden hour shots with barely anyone else around.

Our favorite part? You’ll likely see more birds than people. That’s the Our Beijing way: authentic, hidden, local.

❓ Early Fall in Beijing — FAQ

Q: Is early fall really that different from summer?

A: Yes — you’ll feel the difference in the air. It’s less humid, more breathable, and you won’t be dripping sweat after a 10-minute walk. It’s the start of Beijing’s best season for outdoor adventure.

Q: Do I need to bring layers?

A: Definitely. It might be warm at noon, but mornings and evenings can drop to around 18°C. A light jacket or shawl is ideal.

Q: Can I do all three in one weekend?

A: You can, but we recommend spacing them out. Each experience — from a forest park ride to a hutong stroll or Great Wall hike — deserves its own time. You can also join Our Beijing for a customized experience to help you mix and match these the local way.

Ready to Fall for Beijing?

Whether you’re a local looking to rediscover your city or a traveler arriving just after summer’s peak, early fall is your golden window. The Our Beijing team curates experiences perfect for this season — from bike tours to hutong walks and hidden wall hikes.

Join us this early fall and see a side of Beijing that most tourists miss.

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