Xinjiang’s Pamir Scenic Area is drawing visitors with its striking early-autumn scenery, as golden grasslands, ancient ruins and snow-capped mountains create a vivid plateau landscape.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from September 25 to 27, travellers flocked to the scenic area in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with more visitors expected during the National Day holiday through the first week of October.

At the heart of the autumn landscape, the Golden Grassland blends lingering summer green with light-yellow grass, creating layers of amber and jade across the plateau wetland. The Tashkurgan River winds through the grassland, passing grazing cattle and sheep, while the ancient Stone City rises against snow-capped mountains and blue skies.

Visitors can stroll along boardwalks through the wetland and explore the more than 2,000-year-old ruins, taking in sweeping views of the mountains, river and grassland.