In October, most parts of China shows the atmosphere of autumn both from weather and scenery. October is one of the most advisable months to travel China but you need to avoid the Golden Week (first week of October). Most days are sunny or cloudy, the temperature drops but is not as cold as winter, almost no heavy rain to interrupt your journey... As for the scenery, no matter you want to see the colorful forests, appreciate the golden and red autumn, or admire the snow mountains, all your wishes can come true. To give you more insights about China in October, here we provide the general weather information of October in main parts of China and the top places to visit in China in October so that you can be more prepared before a China October trip.
China Temperatures in October (Click to Enlarge)
October in China can obviously see a decrease in temperature, and the average temperature of the whole country is about 10°C~20°C. There is not much rain and you may start feeling a little windy in some parts. In areas such as northwestern China, northeastern China, high-altitude Tibet, western Sichuan, it is much colder with a sharp temperature difference. While in southern cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Xiamen... it is still warm and sometimes a little hot with a temperature of around 30°C. Here, we have some major provincial cities and popular scenic cities listed according to their locations with detailed weather info offered for your reference.
| Area | Cities (Provinces/Municipalities) |
Weather & Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Northern China | Beijing, Xian(Shaanxi), Shandong, Luoyang(Henan), Pingyao(Shanxi) and other places | Avg Temperature: 7°C~25°C Sunny, Cloudy & Windy: In October, most days are sunny or cloudy and there is little rainfall, quite a good time for traveling. Generally, wearing a light sweater and a jacket is enough to keep yourself warm. You can feel the autumn wind especially on the Great Wall and mountains such as Huashan Mountain, therefore, an extra layer is needed if you are going to these places. |
| Eastern China | Shanghai, Huangshan(Anhui), Hangzhou(Zhejiang), Suzhou(Jiangsu), Nanjing and other places | Avg Temperature: 7°C~28°C Cloudy, Overcast, Gradually Cold This area belongs to subtropical monsoon climate. In October, you can feel some features of autumn such as slightly dropping temperature, less rainfall, gentle breeze... Generally, it is a favorable month to take a trip. To cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, sweater with a jacket would be enough, but if you are going to Yellow Mountain, a thick coat is recommended. |
| Southern China | Guilin(Guangxi), Zhangjiajie(Hunan) and other places | Avg Temperature: 12°C~27°C A Little Chilly, Cloudy, DrizzlingGuilin and Zhangjiajie are places with mountains and rivers, so they have a more humid climate. It snows sometimes but no heavy rain. Though the temperature is not very low, when climbing the mountains or cruising on Li River, it still feels a little chilly and it is recommended to wear a coat. |
| Southwestern China | Chengdu (Sichuan), Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing and other places | Avg Temperature: 9°C~25°C Gradually Cold, Overcast: Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces belong to the subtropical monsoon climate zone, while the higher altitude areas belong to the alpine plateau climate zone. It is generally a little cold in October. Usually autumn outfit such as light sweater, jacket will be suitable in main cities such as Chengdu, Guiyang, Kunming... Other places in high-altitude areas such as western Sichuan and Shangri-La need thick coat. |
| Northwestern China | Gansu, Xinjiang, Ningxia and other places | Avg Temperature: -5°C~20°C Sunny, Cold, Dry: This region has a wild climate ranging from subtropical humid monsoon climate to alpine cold climate and dry climate. In October it is always sunny, sometimes rainy and there is chance to see sleet. Traveling northwestern China in October, you need to keep warm and bring some skin care products. |
| Southern Coastal China | Hong Kong, Guangzhou (Guangdong), Shenzhen, Macau, Hainan, Xiamen and other places | Avg Temperature: 17°C~30°C Comfortable, Cloudy, Not Much Rain: It is very comfortable to travel southern coastal cities in China in October with the cool weather. There is not much rain and the sunlight is not very strong. You can travel light with a shirt and a thin coat. If you want to go somewhere warm, this is a good choice. |
| Northeastern China | Harbin (Heilongjiang), Jilin, Shenyang (Liaoning) and other places | Avg Temperature: -4°C~18°C Cold, Windy, Dry: Most of northeastern China belongs to the temperate monsoon climate zone. There is not much autumn scene and you will feel like it is already winter in October. The temperature drops rapidly. Most days are sunny, some days are rainy and it is possible to snow in late October. Bring winter coat to keep yourself warm and facial cream to protect your skin. |
| Qinghai-Tibet Plateau | Qinghai, Tibet | Avg Temperature: -1°C~20°C Sunny, Cloudy, Cold: Most areas of Qinghai and Tibet are located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, belonging to the plateau mountain climate zone. The high altitude brings large temperature difference and strong ultraviolet rays. In October, most days are sunny or cloudy, very suitable for traveling. But please be noted that at night and in the early morning it is very cold and it is necessary to bring sun cream, hat and sunglasses. |
| Inner-Mongolia | Inner Mongolia | Avg Temperature: 3°C~14°C Cold, Large Temperature Difference: Inner Mongolia in October is gradually getting cold. Most days are sunny and there is little rain. At noon you may feel the warmth of sunshine, but at night, the temperature drops sharply and sometime can be below 0°C such as Ejina in the western part. |
In most parts of China, it begins to get cold in October. Generally, if you are going to northern cities such as Beijing and Xian, a light sweater and a coat is needed and if it is late October, a thick coat is recommended. If you are traveling to southern cities like Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Xiamen... long-sleeved shirts and a light coat would be suitable. For cities like Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, you can wear ordinary autumn outfit such as sweater, jacket, coat, etc. If you are going to plateaus and mountains, be aware of the sharp temperature difference and strong sunshine, taking a downcoat is wise to keep yourself warm at night and sunscreen cream to protect your skin. If you are still not sure what to wear or pack, feel free to contact our professional travel consultants for more suggestions.
If you are looking for a time to enjoy the beauty of China with comfortable weather, October is definitely the choice. You can hike to the mountains, cruise on the Yangtze River, trek along the village paths, and encounter the most colorful and beautiful scenery in vast China. Here we have selected top 10 places to go in China in October to offer you more inspirations for a China autumn trip!
Note: Golden Week (October 1~7) is the national holiday and the busiest traveling time in China. Most attractions will be packed with people. So it is recommended to arrange your China trip after the holiday.
- Fairyland on Earth with Extreme Beauty in Autumn
• Temperature: 6℃-20℃
Jiuzhaigou National Park in Sichuan is a UNESCO natural heritage, attracting tourists from all over the world with its unique blue lakes, waterfalls and colorful autumn leaves. The wonderful scenery of Jiuzhaigou varies from season to season, but it is the most beautiful in autumn, especially from October 15-30. At this time, most of the leaves have completely changed into golden yellow or flaming red, dotted with other colors all over the mountains.
Jiuzhaigou in autumn is like an unreachable fairyland when the emerald forest turns golden and the lake water becomes colorful and blue. Anyone who comes here will be shocked by such a beautiful world. In late October, it depicts the beauty of nature in different layers, from the bottom of the water to the mountain peak. All the colors are in uttermost harmony: the golden mountains look more magical under the reflection of the lake, while the illusions of stones, weeds, branches in the water compete with each other and add more glamours in the autumn scene.
Top-Recommended Jiuzhaigou Tours in October:
3 Days Classic Jiuzhaigou Tour (Flight Arrival)
4 Days Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Highlights Tour from Chengdu by Private Car
Jiuzhaigou Valley in Autumn
- Broad View of Great Wall & Red Leaves in Xiangshan Park
• Temperature: 8℃-15℃
After the heat of Golden Week, the number of tourists begins to drop, while the autumn scenery is at its prime. Beijing in October is cool with little rainfall, which is comfortable to tour the imperial palaces and gardens such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. It is also a good time to take some outdoor activities such as hiking the Great Wall. There are many choices near Beijing like Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Badaling, Juyongguan... They not only carry the strength of history, but also a pleasure to eye seeing the large stretches of colorful forests and winding Great Wall merge into one. Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hill Park) is another famous site in Beijing to appreciate the red leaves, especially from late October. Actually, when it comes to red leaves, Xiangshan Park is usually the first place that comes into people’s mind. Due to the terrain, altitude, temperature and other reasons, the red leaves of Xiangshan Park are always particularly bright. Looking down from the mountain, it looks like a group of fiery red rosy clouds, very beautiful.
Top-Recommended Beijing Tours in October:
4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package (Leisure Paced)
4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Stretching Mutianyu Great Wall
- Trek on A Pure Land on Our Blue Planet
• Temperature: 0℃-15℃
Daocheng Yading lies deep in western Sichuan, bordering Shangri-La in Yunnan Province in the south, Lugu Lake and Lijiang in the southeast. Its landscape maintains the pure natural beauty and has a relatively complete natural ecosystem, which is nearly nowhere to find on the earth. Therefore, it is reputed as the only pure land on the blue planet.
In the scenic area, there are magnificent sacred snow mountains, vast meadows, colorful forests and clear blue Haizi (lakes). Almost everything you can fancy about the beauty of highland is gathered here, which attracts visitors flowing in and reluctant to leave. In October, the forests and meadows have changed on their colorful garments, together with the holy snow mountain, their reflections in the blue lakes form a picture you will never forget. Daocheng Yading has an average altitude of about 3750 m, which is a challenge for some visitors and it is very cold in the early morning and at night but has strong sunshine at noon, so please keep warm and take some precautions to avoid altitude sickness.
Top-Recommended Daocheng Yading Tours in October:
4 Days Daocheng Yading Classic Hiking Tour from Chengdu (by Flight)
4 Days Daocheng Yading In-depth Hiking Tour
Dream-like Daocheng Yading
- Meet Incomparable Mountain Scenery & Relax in Ancient Villages
• Temperature: 7℃-28℃
Yellow Mountain is a famous mountain in Huangshan City, Anhiu Province, southeastern China. It has enjoyed high reputation since ancient times because of its odd-shaped pines, spectacular rocky peaks, sea of clouds, and hot springs.
October is a great time to travel Huangshan. The autumn scenery of Huangshan is beautiful but short. The maple leaves covered by clouds are dotted with pine and green leaves, adding a touch of autumn beauty to the magnificent Huangshan. On a sunny day, you can fully appreciate the wonder of Huangshan. But there also may be some drizzling days and the mountain will be covered by a layer of mist. If you have more days, it is highly recommended to explore the nearby villages such as Hongcun and Xidi, not only to enjoy the idyllic scenery, but also get a tour of Huizhou culture, which is an important branch of Chinese culture. Strolling on the lanes sided by unique Huizhou architecture, biking on the vast fields, or just having a cup of tea in the distinctive inns… will add more cherished memories to your Huangshan trip.
Top-Recommended Huangshan Tours in October:
3 Days Huangshan Highlights Leisure Tour
4 Days Best Huangshan Tour with Hongcun & Xidi Ancient Villages
Misty Yellow Mountain
- Leisure Cruise with Natural Beauty and Cultural Sites
• Temperature: 13℃-23℃
Yangtze River, the third largest river in the world and a mother river of China, what is it like to take a Yangtze River cruise? People usually take the 648 km part starting from Chongqing to Yichang or the other way around. In October, the temperature drops a little but the sky is clear and bright, and the leaves start to turn red, still a good time to take the cruise. During your stay on the boat, the meals and accommodation are covered. There will also be many activities such as welcome party, live performance, Chinese massage… It will be broadcast when approaching the famous sites so do not worry about missing the scenery. For some sites on land such as Fengdu Ghost City, you can step off the boat and enjoy or just stay on the boat leisurely. You will never be bored. Please be kindly noted that it may be a little chilly in October standing on the deck enjoying the view, remember to take a coat to keep yourself warm.
Top-Recommended Yangtze River Cruise Tours in October:
4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
5 Days Relaxing Yangtze River Cruise Tour (Yichang - Chongqing)
Cruising on Yangtze River
- Unclimable Holy Mountain in Yunnan
• Temperature (Deqin County): 3℃-18℃
Meili Snow Mountain, also known as Prince Snow Mountain, is one of the four holy mountains of Tibetan Buddhism. The main peak is Kawakarpo, 6740 m above the sea level. It is also the highest peak in Yunnan. Kawakarpo in Tibetan means the steep white snow peak in the canyon. It is one of the eight sacred mountains in the Tibetan area. Meili Snow Mountain is a mountain that has not been conquered. Since 1902, many mountaineering teams have tried many times to climb to the top of the mountain, but they all failed. In 1996, the Chinese government banned climbing the snow mountain, giving the mountain eternal peace. “Sunshine over the Golden Mountain” is a rare sight that many backpackers dream of. October starts the best time to Meili Snow Mountain because it is more likely to see the rare scene. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, an exploration to Meili Snow Mountain and a hiking in nearby Yubeng Village is something you will not regret.
Top-Recommended Meili Snow Mountain Tours in September:
5 Days Shangri-La & Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage Tour
7 Days Shangri-La Tour with Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Village Hiking
Golden Sunlight Over Meili Snow Mountain
- Immerse Youself in Vast Golden Poplar Forest
• Temperature: -3℃-20℃
Ejina Poplar Forest National Nature Reserve is located in Ejina oasis, the westernmost end of Inner Mongolia. With a total area of 26,253 square kilometers, this is the hometown of poplars and the residence of the desert. It is one of the most representative autumn sceneries in China, especially in October when the leaves all turn golden. Poplar is known as the heroic tree as it "lives a thousand years after it is born, stands a thousand years after it dies, and remains imperishable for a thousand years after it falls". It is tall and stands straight, like a stalwart soldier in the endless desert. The first bridge to the eighth bridge in the reserve are distributed with different poplar landscapes, which is a paradise for photographers. The second bridge is the best place to see sunset, fourth bridge is the most popular for the dense poplar trees and flocks of sheep. If you are interested in exciting activity, the Sand Sea Kingdom in the eighth bridge provides many entertainment options such as sand sledging and camel riding. It is also a good place to catch the sunrise.
Ejina Poplar Forest
- Enjoy the Beautiful Autumn Village Scene and Joy of Harvest
• Temperature: 10℃-28℃
Wuyuan County in northern Jiangxi is reputed as one of the most beautiful villages in China. If Wuyuan in spring is a landscape painting, then Wuyuan in autumn is a colorful oil painting with bright sunshine, gorgeous colors, harvested fruits, heartfelt joy and the satisfied smile of Wuyuan people. The most attractive scene in Wuyuan in October, except for its Hui-style residences, is definitely the autumn sunning. Among the multiple villages, Huangling is the most famous.
As the villages are surrounded by rolling hills, there are no large openings to dry the crops for better storage, Wuyuan people develop the unique culture of autumn sunning with their wisdom. On the eaves of the white-wall and grey-tile houses, they are full of big round baskets with pepper, cabbage, radish, persimmon, pumpkin, sausage... Wuyuan people will wash, slice and dry all the fruits and vegetables harvested in this season. The tradition is well inherited by Wuyuan people. So if you walk into Wuyuan in October, you will see a spectacular scene of autumn sunning at the stone steps at the gate, the wooden fence in front of the house, the sun terrace protruding from the eaves, and even on the window frame and windowsill... anywhere the sun baskets can be hung or placed.
Top-Recommended Wuyuan Tour in October:
2 Days Wuyuan Autumn Visual Feast Tour
Dry Harvested Crops in Autumn Sunshine
- Green & Yellow Wonderland in Autumn
• Temperature: 12℃-20℃
Zhangjiajie in early October is green in a large area and then there are small patches of yellow and red leaves dotted on the mountain. After the heat of Golden Week and with the tourists returning home, it is a rare opportunity for you to enjoy the exclusive beauty of Zhangjiajie.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the highlight of a Zhangjiajie trip and it covers many scenic areas. Yuanjiajie is the inspiration of Hallelujah Mountain in Avatar. On foggy days after the rain, it is like you are really entering a magical world and when the fog disperses, you can see peaks rising one higher than the other. Tianzi Mountain offers you various oddly-shaped peaks, and Huangshi Village is like a village in the sky with cliffs and dense forests around and it is also a perfect viewing platform giving stunning views over the mountains. Another must-see in Zhangjiajie is the famous Glass Bridge. Walking on the transparent glass hanging on the valley must be an unforgettable experience.
Top-Recommended Zhangjiajie Tours in October:
3 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Mountains
- Paradise City with Sweet Scent of Osmanthus
• Temperature: 15℃-18℃
Hangzhou is a paradise and romantic city in China that many people yearn for. In October, at the prime of autumn, the city is more charming with comfortable weather, gentle breeze and the sweet scent of osmanthus.
In addition to the classic scenery such as the West Lake and Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou in October can also take you to appreciate many different autumn colors. At that time, Longjing Road is as colorful as an oil painting. The Sapindus trees on Lingyin road all turn to amazing golden. And the French sycamore trees on Nanshan Road and Beishan Road add more poetic and pictorial splendor to Hangzhou. If you want to travel a little further, Qiandao Lake with over 1000 islands will meet all your needs no matter it is boating on the lake, playing with the animals, exciting drifting or exploring nearby ancient villages.
Top-Recommended Hangzhou Tours in October:
2 Days Hangzhou Essence Tour (Most Time-Efficient)
3 Days Hangzhou Highlights Tour with Qiandao Lake
West Lake in October
Choose A Destination According to Your Interest: It is comfortable to travel to most destinations in China in autumn, so you just need to choose a destination according to your interest. If you want to explore more about China’s history and culture, Beijing, Xian, Shanxi, Shandong and Gansu are all recommended. If you want to view or photograph the best autumn colors, we suggest you go to Jiuzhai Valley, Kanas, Western Sichuan, Wuyuan, Dongchuan Red Earth and some other forests or mountains or grasslands with colorful autumn views. If you want to stretch your legs and enjoy natural landscape at the same time, Yellow Mountain, Zhangjiajie, Mount Emei and some other mountains are perfect. If you want a relaxing journey with some autumn landscape, we advise you take a Yangtze River Cruise and visit some beautiful cities like Hangzhou, Nanjing, Xiamen, Chengdu, etc.
Try to Avoid Traveling in China’s Golden Week: China’s Golden Week usually starts from the first day to the seventh or eighth day in October. It is the longest national holiday in China and most tourist destinations will be crowded with domestic travelers. If you have to travel in these days, we suggest you visit some remoter areas in Yunnan, Western Sichuan, Guizhou, Tibet, etc. and avoid Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Jiuzhai Valley, etc.
Pack and Dress According to the Climate in Destinations: Generally, the weather of autumn is mild and comfortable, warmer in September and cooler in November. Because of the vast land, there is a large temperature difference between two cities in northern China and southern China. If you go to Kanas in September, you need to prepare sweaters and down coat. If you go to Haikou in November, T-shirt is enough.
Top Recommended China Autumn Tours:
☞ 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour
☞ 5 Days Yellow Mountain Autumn Landscape Tour with Shaiqiu Experience
☞ 6 Days Western Sichuan Autumn Sightseeing Tour
☞ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour
Our Customers Traveled Longji, Guilin in September
Our Customers Enjoyed a Family Holiday in Dali in September
Our Customers Visited Yellow Mountain in October
Want to enjoy a worry-free china tour in October? Just travel with China Discovery! China Discovery is a leading travel agency offering private China tour packages with great flexibility, comfort and personalized services for decades. We have got 1,460+ good reviews on TripAdvisor.com, and 4,050+ China travel reviews from the customers. Before your travel, our experienced travel expert will communicate with you one-to-one and organize everything (accommodation, transfer, itinerary…) well. In your trip, our local travel guide will accompany you all the way and introduce the highlights of every place to you. Private transfer service allows you to enjoy a comfortable and safe trip. All the experience can be tailor-made according to your group size, travel time, physical condition, personal interest, travel budget and other needs. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help!
Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
Shangri-La / Meili Snow Mountain / Yubeng / Shangri-La
Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou / Chengdu
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