Weather: In September, it can be hot during the day at the beginning of the month. The average top temperature is 29 °C (84 °F). The nights are still mild with an average temperature of 20 °C (68 °F).
September is the start of the dry season. There is only about 90 mm of total precipitation each September, and it rains about 10 days of the month.
Clothing: Summer clothing is fine for the daytime but take long sleeves and pants to wear during the evenings. For rafting, wear a clothes that cover your skin to avoid sunburn when it is sunny. We also recommend sunglasses and a hat.
Things to Do in Zhangjiajie in September
Visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is very beautiful in September. At the beginning of the month, the leaves are still green, but by the end of the month the autumn foliage becomes colorful.
It is a place to see the stunning mountain views and enjoy hiking. You can take a cable car up Tianzi Mountain and see large areas of spiky peaks. You can enjoy hiking around the Yuanjiajie area and admire the "Avatar mountains".
Admire Tianmen Mountain
Another place to see the fall scenery all around is Tianmen Mountain. It is called Tianmen Mountain (Heaven's Gate Mountain) because there is a big hole in the middle of the mountain that looks like a big door in the sky.
You can ride a cable car to the big hole or go all the way to the top. The 30-minute ride will amaze you with lush mountain peaks, deep valleys, and the 99 Bends (99 sharp curves on a road leading up to the mountain peak). The cable car ride is included in the entry ticket.
Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the second biggest holiday in China and it usually falls at the middle or end of September.
You can expect large crowds if you visit during this time, but you'll also be able to experience the modern Chinese festivities and the traditional celebrations of the ethnic people. Try the local moon cakes.
The local Tujia people have their own special customs for celebrating. During the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they might go out to watermelon patches to take them and give them to couples with no children as a way to send good wishes for a child.
Touring Zhangjiajie in September
Peak Travel Season
September is a peak travel month due to the fine weather, the beautiful fall scenery, and often a major national holiday. The Mid-Autumn Festival usually falls in September. If it is around the time of the October 1st National Day holiday, it becomes part of the "golden week" holiday.
Most Chinese people travel and sightsee during this time. Hotel rates might be twice as high as during the low season, and tickets for flights are more expensive. We recommend that you book in advance.
We can help you conveniently arrange your hotel rooms, flight tickets, etc. using our experience. We've also put together some key Zhangjiajie Travel Tips.