October Overview:
If you can move your trip back to avoid the week-long holiday around China's National Day, October 1st, then traveling in October can be one of the best months to visit. Autumn is really starting to get into full swing in central China and you'll find cooling temperatures and mild, sunny weather. Fall foliage will already be out in the north and October can be a wonderful time to visit the Great Wall. In southern China it will still be quite warm with temperatures in the high 70s-80s.
October Weather:
- Beijing: the ave daytime temp is 66F (18.9C) and ave number of rainy days is 5.
- Shanghai: the ave daytime temp is 73F (22.4C) and ave number of rainy days is 8.3.
- Guangzhou: the ave daytime temp is 83F (28.5C) and ave number of rainy days is 6.5.
- Guilin: the ave daytime temp is 78F (25.8C) and ave number of rainy days is 9.5.
October Packing Suggestions:
Layers are essential for packing in autumn weather.
- North: it will be cool during the day and chilly at night. A light daytime base layer with fleece or sweater layering at night is a good option.
- Central: it will be warm during the day and cooler at night. A light base for daytime and long sleeves/long pants in the evening is enough.
- South: it will still be quite warm. Late summer dressing is fine but bring something lightweight for the occasional cool evening or heavy a/c room.
Visiting China in October - Pros:
- The weather is great for site-seeing, mild and very comfortable.
- Domestic fares drop after the first week of October (National Day) so it may be a more reasonable time to travel within China.
Visiting China in October - Cons:
- The first week of October is generally a week-long holiday for all Chinese workers. This translates into millions of domestic travellers on buses, trains and planes doubling and tripling fares.
- As well as more expensive fares and hotel rooms, China's top attractions will be mobbed with site-seeing domestic tourists.
What's Happening in October:
- October 1st, National Day marks the beginning of a week-long holiday for workers in China. October 1, 2009 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the PRC.
- The Mid-Autumn Festival, otherwise known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, falls on October 3, 2009, so will be absorbed by the week-long October holidays commemorating China's National Day.
The Weather Month by Month:
January in China
February in China
March in China
April in China
May in China
June in China
July in China
August in China
September in China
October in China
November in China
December in China
