China in October

Clear skies and colour, but avoid 1–7 October; the rest of the month is ideal.

• North China · Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Datong, Pingyaobest weather

  Continental: dry winters down to −10 °C, hot humid summers with thunderstorms. Dust and smog peak in late winter and spring; September–October is the clear season.

• East China and the Yangtze · Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huangshanbest weather

  Damp cold winters without much heating south of the Huai river; plum rain (meiyu) mid-June to mid-July; typhoons can hit Shanghai Aug–Sep.

• South China · Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xiamen, Hainanbest weather

  Subtropical: long humid summers, heavy rain Apr–Jun, typhoons Jul–Sep; October–December is dry and mild. Hainan is warm all year.

• Sichuan and Yunnan · Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Dali, Lijiangbest weather

  Chengdu is grey and humid, Chongqing is among the hottest cities in July–August; Yunnan's plateau is mild all year with a dry season Nov–Apr.

• Tibetan plateau · Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghaibest weather

  Altitude 3,000–5,000 m: strong sun, cold nights all year. Permits for Tibet often pause in March — check.

• Northwest and Silk Road · Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongoliabest weather

  Desert and steppe: very hot summer days in Turpan, bitter winters; May–June and September–October work best.

• Northeast · Harbin, Changchun, Shenyangbest weather

  Winters to −25 °C; the Harbin Ice and Snow World runs roughly late December to February.

• Beijing19° / 7°, 5 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• National Day big impact

  1–7 Oct (Golden Week)

  The biggest travel week of the year: sights at capacity, Tiananmen Square decorated with tight security, prices doubled.

• Mid-Autumn Festival check

  15th day of the 8th lunar month; moves yearly · Beijing

  Mooncakes everywhere; a short public holiday, often combined with National Day.

Crowds · China

High

Prices · China

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• North China

  Best weather of the year (Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Datong, Pingyao)

• East China and the Yangtze

  Best weather of the year (Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Huangshan)

• South China

  Best weather of the year (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Yangshuo, Xiamen, Hainan)

• Sichuan and Yunnan

  Best weather of the year (Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang)

• Tibetan plateau

  Best weather of the year (Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghai)

• Northwest and Silk Road

  Best weather of the year (Xinjiang, Gansu (Dunhuang, Zhangye), Inner Mongolia)

• Northeast

  Best weather of the year (Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang)

• Shanghai

  Best months: Mar–May and Oct–Nov: mild, drier air before summer humidity sets in and after the main typhoon risk passes

• Guangzhou

  Best months: Oct–Dec: warm days, lower humidity and little rain

• Shenzhen

  Best months: Oct–Dec: warm, drier weather with lower typhoon risk

• Chengdu

  Best months: Mar–May and Sep–Nov: mild temperatures and clearer skies than summer or winter

• Xi'an

  Best months: Mar–May and Sep–Nov: mild and dry, avoiding both summer heat and winter cold