China Weather in October and Places to Go

October might be viewed as the shoulder season by worldwide travel pros, while October in China is blessed with cool temperature and mild sunshine across the country. There is much less rainfall so you could expect clear skies in most cities. The fall foliage will be out already in the north, which adds more charms to natural landscape. Thus October is undisputedly one of the best months to visit China for both the weather and scenery.

However, China sees a big travel rush of domestic visitors in the first week of October due to the National Day holiday (Oct. 1- 7). You’d better avoid going to China during this periods.

North China: Beijing, Tianjin, Harbin, Inner Mongolia…
Cities in North China stays moderately cool and dry at daytime throughout the month as the early autumn rain is over. However, it could be a bit chilly at night because of the cold wind. Take Beijing for example, the average temperature ranges from 8°C to 19°C (46–66°F), which is really suitable for outdoor hiking, especially for a trip to the Great Wall to appreciate the red and yellow foliage.
Clothing Guide: long-sleeve T-shirt, wind coat or jacket, thin coat, sweatpants, jeans, light jacket or fleece.

Central China: Chengdu, Wuhan, Luoyang, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze River (Chongqing - Yichang)…
Autumn really starts to get into full swing in central China throughout October, and you'll find cooling temperatures 15 - 22°C (59 - 72°F) and moderate sunshine in cities like Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhangjiajie. While mountainous regions around Yangtze River and Yellow Mountain would be much cooler, but it is still quite comfortable for a strenuous hike.
Clothing Guide: long-sleeve shirt, a light jacket, trench coat, light pants, jeans, sneakers.

South China: Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin…
In southern China, the average temperature drops a bit low to 19 - 27°C (66 - 81°F). It is cooler in cities like Guilin, but it could be still a bit hot in southerly places like Hong Kong and Guangzhou. There will still be moderate rain levels in southern China because of the influence of typhoon.
Clothing Guide: T-shirt, shorts, dress, long-sleeve shirts, light coats and base layers.

East China: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Yellow Mountain…
October is a sunny and warm month in most places of East China. Shanghai and Suzhou is blessed with very pleasant weather with an average temperature of 15–23°C (59–73°F). Generally, there is much less rainfall in this month, but there is an exception if the coastal areas are hit by a tropical storm or typhoon.
Clothing Guide: long-sleeved shirts, light jeans, thin blouse or thin jacket, sneakers.

West China: Tibet, Yunnan, Qinghai, Silk Road Destinations…
The temperature falls significantly in October in west China, and even drops below freezing point at the end of the month. Particularly regions with higher elevation like Tibet would become very cold, with mountains covered with ice and snow. There is little rainfall and more sunny days, so visitors would feel cool and warm in the day time. However, it becomes drastically cold at night. Thus get your heavy coat packed.
Clothing Guide: base layers, sweaters, thick jacket and hiking boots.

• Beijing: Though Beijing is ideal to visit all year round, the short autumn let travelers to enjoy the most favorable weather of the year. The warm temperature and low rainfall create amazing traveling experience especially when seeing China’s best World Heritage sites in the city, such as the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Especially for shutterbugs, a Great Wall tour would be more impressive since the colorful fall foliage is at its best during this time of year.
• Xian: Xian is an undefeatable travel city in four seasons, while the pleasant weather in October would make your sightseeing even better. No matter for a discovery of the incredible Terracotta Army or a delightful cycling on the ancient City Wall, or a hiking on the heart-stirring Mt. Hua, tourists have few chances to be exposed to harsh sunshine or rainfall, but could explore the city at great leisure.
• Chengdu: October is the golden season to see the adorable panda cubs as late summer is their breeding time. You could go to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center to see more pandas outing in the playground as they are used to cool temperature. Besides, Jiuzhaigou is coated with its most enticing scenery during October when the gem-like lakes reflect the red and golden autumn leaves.
• Guilin: October is regarded as one of the best periods to visit Guilin when the temperature cools down and the humidity drops because of less rainfall. This makes an excellent condition for a Li River Cruise to see the karst peaks and untouched rustic countryside. Furthermore, October is also the best time to see the spectacular golden scenery of Longji Rice Terrace and even the peasants reaping the crops in the fields.
• Yellow Mountain: Tourists are highly recommended to plan a tour to the Yellow Mountain in October when one could have better chances to see the astounding sunrise and seas of clouds, which are two big wonders of the mountain. In late periods of the month, you are more likely to coming across the gorgeous autumn colors of the plants.
• Zhangjiajie: Zhangjiajie in Central China is cool and comfortable for traveling in October. It is highly recommended to go on a hike on the mountains to absorb the spectacular piercing peaks and flourishing wildlife. There might be some mists and fogs in this month, but they create a wonderful and mystical way to take in the scenery of the floating pillars.
• Yangtze River Cruise: If you want to get rid of fast-paced tours, this would be where a Yangtze River cruise comes into its own. You could enjoy total relaxation on board for several days, digest what you’ve seen already and admire the enchanting watery landscape of Yangtze. In October, it would be really enjoyable to sit on a chair in your room balcony or on the top deck, soaking up the ever-changing spots of the Three Gorges.
• Guizhou: You cold venture into Guizhou in October when many celebrations on farming harvest would take place in the rural villages of minorities of Miao and Dong. You could explore the unspoiled rural landscape and ethnic folk customs and traditions of tribal people. Hiking lovers who like take the off-the-beaten path will be surprised by the trekking adventure in rural villages, between which you may encounter spectacular rice terraces.
• Datong: Warm and sunny weather could let you make easy extensional trips from Beijing to Datong by highspeed trains. Escaping from city noise and crowds, you could choose to trace some hidden gems of China, such as the Hanging Temple built into Hengshan mountain cliff and the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes dating back to 5th and 6th centuries.
• Pingyao: Pingyao Old Town, also a World Heritage Site, once was the financial center of China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). History addicts would discover one of China's oldest walled cities, China's first bank Rishengchang and marvelous ancient Buddhist sculptures in Shuanglin Temple as well as the massive Compound of Wang's Family.

1. National Day is one of the biggest events and longest holidays in China, which is also a very popular periods for Chinese people to travel within the country. However, considering the crowds, you shall avoid making travel plans scheduled in this period.
2. Every year in early October, there will be a great Jewelry Expo in Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. You have a chance to have a glimpse of China’s best gems, jades and rare stones.
3. October is also a great time to pay homage to Tibet. If you going in late October to early November, you may capture many religious activities throughout the Tibetan world to celebrate the birthday of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Geluk order of Tibetan Buddhism.

1. Avoid Holiday Crowds
The National Day has a week-long holiday known as the Golden Week from Oct. 1 to 7, during which there will be huge domestic tourist crowds everywhere. The scenic spots like the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Terracotta Army would be fully packed with visitors. The hotels, tickets for airlines and trains are quickly sold out, while the travel prices also rises dramatically. Therefore, if you are planning a visit to China, you should avoid this period and wait to book tours after the first week of October as the prices will drop and the remaining month is a more budget-friendly and less touristy time to see the country.

2. Packing Suggestions
If you will travel to the western parts of China, particularly places with higher altitude like Tibet, Qinghai and West Yunnan, the temperature will fall significantly and may even drop below zero by the end of October. You shall pack extra layers for an autumn trip in China so that you could remove and add according to different cities and regions you go.