Mid-Autumn Festival China: Best Charter Car Trips

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China and the perfect time to experience Chinese culture. The Mid-Autumn Festival in 2026 falls on Friday, September 25th. If you plan to travel to China during this time, chartering a car will be the best way for you to explore this ancient country and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. The following guide, based on the chartering services provided by the RideCN platform, recommends the most suitable destinations for experiencing traditional culture during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

I. Why choose a chartered bus tour in China?

For foreign tourists, chartering a private vehicle for travel in China offers numerous advantages. RideCN is here to serve you:

1. Flexible customization of itinerary: From iconic landmarks to hidden attractions, you can go wherever you want, unrestricted by fixed tourist routes

2. Multi-language service support: Drivers use translation tools for communication, and our service team coordinates your journey in real-time

3. Trip Planner Service: We will follow up on your entire trip and assist in adjusting the schedule and route

4. Door-to-door shuttle service: seamless transfer between hotels, airports, stations, and attractions

5. Transparent pricing based on vehicles: Charges are based on the number of vehicles, not on the number of passengers, with no hidden fees

RideCN covers multiple popular destinations in China, and next, we will introduce one by one the most worthwhile traditional cultural experiences in each city during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

II. The Most Deserving Destinations to Experience During the Mid-Autumn Festival

1. Beijing：The Charm of Mid-Autumn Festival at the Foot of the Imperial City

As China's capital, Beijing is the premier destination for experiencing traditional culture during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Best places to visit for the Mid-Autumn Festival:

• The Temple of Heaven: This was the site where Ming and Qing emperors performed rituals to worship Heaven and Earth; the architecture, featuring blue-tiled roofs and golden tops, is itself a symbol of traditional Chinese culture. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Temple of Heaven Park often hosts traditional cultural events.

  

• Jingshan Park: A mere five-minute climb offers a panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City and the Central Axis. Gazing at the moon here on Mid-Autumn Festival night allows you to take in the full sweep of the capital's skyline.

• Shichahai: Stroll along the lake with the old city on your left and the water on your right. Go boating here on Mid-Autumn night to admire the moon and experience the charm of old Beijing's hutongs.

Mid-Autumn Festival Activities:

• The Beijing Folklore Museum will host traditional cultural events during the Mid-Autumn Festival, allowing visitors to experience unique local intangible cultural heritage practices, such as painting "Tu'erye" (Rabbit God) clay figurines.

  

• Baita Temple (White Pagoda Temple) will also feature special Mid-Autumn events, including the "Night at the White Pagoda" program.

• Zhongshan Park will offer freshly baked "Zilaihong" mooncakes during the festival, blending authentic Beijing-style delicacies with the park's scenic landscape.

Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries:

Beijing City Highlights Private Car Day Trip

Beijing Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Private Car

2. Xi'an：A Millennial Echo Beneath the Moon of an Ancient Capital

Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities, and the atmosphere of traditional culture is particularly rich there during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Best places to visit for the Mid-Autumn Festival:

• Xi'an City Wall: Ascending the ancient city wall on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival—admiring the moon while overlooking the nightscape of the ancient city—is a unique experience.

  

• Huaqing Palace: An imperial hot spring retreat from the Tang Dynasty; ancient music performances and moon-viewing events are frequently held here on Mid-Autumn Festival night.

  

• Great Tang All Day City: Boasting dazzling night scenery, the area features special Mid-Autumn-themed lighting displays and performances during the festival.

• Muslim Quarter: Xi'an's most famous street for snacks, which becomes especially lively during the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can hire a car for a one-day culinary and cultural tour—visiting the Muslim Quarter, Yongxingfang, and Sajinqiao—to sample authentic Xi'an mooncakes and local specialties.

Mid-Autumn Festival Activities: Xi'an hosts traditional folk activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival; scenic spots such as the "Great Tang All Day City" feature performances in ancient style and lantern shows.

Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries:

Xi'an Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Palace Private Car

3. Hangzhou：Admiring the moon at West Lake amidst a city-wide shower of osmanthus blossoms.

Hangzhou's West Lake is a classic spot for admiring the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival.Admiring the osmanthus blossoms, watching the tidal bore, and enjoying authentic mooncakes make up the "trio" of Mid-Autumn Festival traditions for the people of Hangzhou.

Best Places to Visit for the Mid-Autumn Festival:

• West Lake: Admire the moon by the lakeside on Mid-Autumn night, where the moonlight and the lake's waters create a beautiful, harmonious scene. "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake" (Pinghu Qiuyue)—one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake—is a spot specifically designed for moon-viewing.

  

• Lingyin Temple: The temple hosts blessing ceremonies during the festival, offering a chance to experience the blend of Buddhist culture and traditional Chinese festivities.

  

Mid-Autumn Festival Events: Major scenic spots in Hangzhou will host moon-viewing galas and cultural activities themed around osmanthus flowers during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Recommendation for hiring a car: Attractions around West Lake are spread out; hiring a car allows you to visit multiple sites—such as Lingyin Temple, West Lake, and Leifeng Pagoda—in a single day without worrying about transportation.

Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries:

Hangzhou Lingyin Temple West Lake Private Day Tour

Hangzhou West Lake Xixi and Hefang Private Car

4. Guangzhou: A Modern Mid-Autumn Festival with Lingnan Flair

Mid-Autumn Festival in Guangzhou is a blend of tradition and modernity. Lingnan culture is vividly preserved here, distinguished by large-scale lantern festivals and modern art installations.

Must-do activities:

• Visiting the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival: The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival at Guangzhou Cultural Park will be open to the public for free for 13 days, featuring over 30 sets of large and medium-sized decorative lanterns and more than a thousand atmospheric lanterns.

  

• Experience Xiguan folk customs: On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lizhiwan will host the "Lizhiwan · New Xiguan" folk culture event.

• Crafting your own lanterns: At venues such as the Cantonese Opera Art Museum, you can try your hand at making items like handheld lanterns and brocade lanterns.

Recommendation for chartered car service: Guangzhou’s urban area is quite expansive; chartering a car allows for an efficient tour of iconic landmarks—such as the Canton Tower, Lizhiwan, and Cultural Park—enabling you to experience the festive atmosphere across different districts.

Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries:

Guangzhou Canton Tower and Yuexiu Park Private Car

5. Guilin ：An Ethnic Mid-Autumn Festival Amidst a Landscape Painting

In Guilin, the spirit of Mid-Autumn reunion blends perfectly with the beauty of the landscape and the unique customs of ethnic minorities.

Must-do activities:

• Attend a bonfire party: Join a Mid-Autumn Festival bonfire gathering at locations like Yijiangyuan to enjoy ethnic song and dance performances and release wishing lanterns onto the Yijiang River.

• Take a night cruise on the Li or Yulong River: Ride a bamboo raft on the Yulong River at night to admire the Mid-Autumn moon and fireworks displays.

  

• Admire the moon over the rice terraces: Visit the Longji Rice Terraces on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival to view the golden, layered rice fields bathed in moonlight.

Mid-Autumn Festival Events: During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Guilin and Yangshuo host events such as moon-viewing parties and folk performances.

Recommendation on hiring a private car: The highlights of Guilin are found in Yangshuo and Longji, and the attractions are spread far apart. Hiring a private car is the most flexible way to tour the classic Guilin–Yangshuo–Longji route.

Recommended Chartered Car Itineraries:

Yangshuo Xianggong Hill and Yulong River Private Car

6. Other destinations worth considering

Based on travel trends for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the following destinations are also worth considering:

• Yunnan: Home to numerous ethnic minority groups, the region celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with customs rich in rustic charm and unique local flair. Visitors can savor Yunnan-style mooncakes, which feature fillings like cured ham and fresh flowers, offering a distinctive blend of savory and sweet flavors.

• Shanghai: Minhang District will host the "Full Moon over Maqiao" folk culture event, centered around an immersive park experience featuring "Moon-Strolling" and "Crossing Three Bridges," alongside intangible cultural heritage performances, site-specific theater, and specialty markets; Yu Garden will also stage a themed lantern festival.

• Chengdu: Mid-Autumn Festival in Chengdu is infused with the leisurely pace and romantic atmosphere characteristic of the Bashu region. Visitors can enjoy a night cruise along the Jinjiang River for a truly immersive experience.

III. How to Arrange Your Mid-Autumn Festival Private Car Tour via RideCN

Step 1: Visit the website

You can visit the official RideCN website (ridecn.com) to browse our private charter itineraries or directly submit your own ideal itinerary.

Step 2: Customize Your Route

Let us know your departure date (around the Mid-Autumn Festival), the duration of your trip, and the cities and attractions you wish to visit. RideCN offers customizable routes, allowing you to choose your own itinerary, stops, and pace.

Step 3: Confirm Details

RideCN’s travel concierge team will follow up on your itinerary, assisting with scheduling, route adjustments, and travel coordination.

Step 4: Enjoy the Journey

Your driver will pick you up at your designated location (hotel, airport, etc.), providing door-to-door service throughout the trip. If you require a tour guide, please discuss this with your travel planner in advance.

IV. Tips for Mid-Autumn Festival Travel

• Book in advance: The Mid-Autumn Festival is a major holiday in China; flights, hotels, and private car services should all be booked ahead of time.

• Moon-viewing timing: In 2026, the full moon falls on the 17th day of the lunar month rather than the 15th. However, the moon looks virtually the same to the naked eye on the nights of September 25, 26, and 27, making all three nights suitable for viewing.

• Weather preparation: While the weather across most of China is crisp and pleasant during the Mid-Autumn Festival, there can be significant temperature differences between day and night, so it is advisable to bring a jacket.

• Cultural experiences: In addition to moon-viewing, you can enjoy traditional Mid-Autumn activities such as making mooncakes, solving lantern riddles, and releasing sky lanterns.

• Language communication: RideCN drivers can use translation tools, but downloading a translation app yourself is recommended to ensure smoother communication.

The Mid-Autumn Festival serves as a window into traditional Chinese culture. If you are interested in this festival, please contact RideCN; we can help you immerse yourself in the beauty of this ancient celebration in the most flexible and comfortable way possible.