China in October 2024: Guide to Golden Season Escapes

Travel to China in October, an ideal time to appreciate the charm of Chinese autumn, with mountains and lakes dyed in their rich colors, vast grasslands more relaxing in the crisp autumn breeze, and sweet persimmons and hairy crabs with soft meat that will make your mouth water. We will share with you the best places to visit and the best things to do for your China tour in October.

China's Weather in October

In October, most of China enters autumn, with average temperatures fluctuating between 10 and 25℃, not too cold and not too hot, making it a good time to travel. Temperatures are lower in the northernmost cities and on the western plateau, where it is already late autumn in early October.

Western China

The average daytime temperature in western China in October is about 15℃, which will be below 0 at night. Northern Xinjiang has stunning autumn scenery in the first half of October, while it's usually winter in the second half; the plateaus of western Sichuan boast most of Sichuan's stunning scenery, while you need to take precautions to stay warm due to the chilly nights.

Eastern China

Eastern China remains mild, with average temperatures around 20℃ in places like Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Jiangxi; and because of its proximity to the sea, the east is more humid than other regions in October, which makes it great for city sightseeing under the gentle sun and breeze.

Northern China

Places like Liaoning, Beijing, and Jinan have average temperatures of 13-18℃; Heilongjiang, at the northern tip, is already in late autumn, and the climate there is more comfortable in early October; desert and grassland areas, such as Inner Mongolia, are drier, so please take care to stay hydrated.

Southern China

Most of southern China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Yunnan, have average temperatures above 22℃ in October, an ideal period to embrace the natural landscapes; cities such as Sanya and Haikou at the southern end have temperatures above 25℃, still suitable for a beach holiday.

Tongli Water Town

Best Places to Travel in October

Western Sichuan

With an altitude difference of more than 7,000 meters, Western Sichuan is the region with the rich autumn scenery when traveling China in October. Endless colorful forests of Jiuzhaigou reflecting in the lake, Huanglong's crystal clear alpine lakes like pearls in the dense forests, majestic snow-capped mountains view from Yuzixi as well as the starry sky, vast grasslands, golden poplars, gurgling streams and quaint Tibetan villages of Xinduqiao make Western Sichuan a Mecca for photographers and hikers in October.

Jiangsu

For your October journey, Suzhou is a feast for the senses, with gold and red coloring the branches, hairy crabs in season, and the scent of osmanthus filling the streets. You can enjoy the golden ginkgoes at the Humble Administrator's Garden; visit Tianping Mountain with its sparkling maple leaves; wander around Mudu Ancient Town to enjoy the authentic Kunqu Opera; and feast on seasonal delicacies such as Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, Lotus Roots Stuffed with Glutinous Rice, Shuibaxian dishes, and Dongting Tangerines.

Xinjiang

In October, there is no end to the beauty and surprises of Xingjiang. The Wucaitan (Rainbow Beach) is where photography enthusiasts will be fascinated by colored hills and gem-like lakes. Kanas Lake is crystal clear, with walkways to stroll around its azure or turquoise in the fall. The fairy-tale village of Hemu is famous for its morning sun, which slowly spreads across the land through the clouds at sunrise, rendering the morning mist, birch forests, and rivers a golden color.

Hemu

Tibet

In Tibet in October, the sky is extraordinarily blue, making a clear vision of traveling to western China. You can open a dialog with nature and your mind. You can wander around Namtso Lake reflecting the snow-capped mountains and the sky; visit the Potala Palace, which is even more sacred in the soft autumn light, to see the precious artifacts; or challenge yourself to trek to Everest Base Camp to see the snow-capped mountains, glaciers and meadows at the top of the world.

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What to Do in October

Enjoy the Autumn Foliage

October is the perfect time to enjoy the autumn foliage, a red wave covering the whole country from north to south.

The Euphrates poplars turn Ejina into a golden world, some growing in the desert, wild and tough, and some growing by the river, romantic and elegant. In Benxi, maple leaves as red as fire cover the mountains and streams, and those in Tianqiaogou are rated the best. Tengchong's Ginkgo Village is a popular place to see ginkgoes over a thousand years old. In Beijing, you can enjoy the red foliage at Xiangshan Park, an ancient imperial garden, or watch the colorful leaves spread along the mountain to the end of your view at the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Hike With the Gentle Breeze

Hiking couldn't be more appropriate in the breezy October, with migrating birds, fresh air and heavenly grassland will all leave you with unforgettable memories.

Hiking in Hangzhou Xixi National Wetland Park while capturing dozens of species of birds, admiring the gardens of the Qing Dynasty, and picking those red gem-like persimmons. Longcanggou in Sichuan is known as a natural oxygen bar with 97.5% forest coverage. You can hike among the colorful broad-leaved forests and then relieve your fatigue in the natural hot springs. Or climb on the grassland on Jiangxi Wugongshan Mountain, accompanied only by the boundless sea of clouds, your worry will be dissipated with the wind.

Cruise the Yangtze River

In October, the colors of autumn render the banks of the Yangtze River picturesque. This flowing canvas is an encounter with nature and history.

In the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the red leaves and gorges show you the art of nature. On the north bank of the Yangtze River, Baidi City is surrounded by mountains and gurgling rivers, and the autumn leaves under the ancient walls are embellished with the vicissitudes of history. Climbing Fenghuang Mountain on the south bank of the Yangtze River, you can enjoy the splendid autumn scenery on both sides of the Yangtze and visit the thousand-year-old grottoes.

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Explore the Wonders of the Golden Land

October's autumn breeze brushes over the historic sites, as if it were the call of history, allowing a cozy journey accompanied by the ideal weather, and the autumn leaves give them an even more mesmerizing backdrop.

The Forbidden City encompasses the essence of China's ancient palace architecture, and in October, visitors can step on the red leaves and feel the splendor and vicissitudes of this thousand-year-old palace. The Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang are famous for their exquisite stone carvings. In October, the Buddha statues and murals inside the grottoes look even more mysterious and solemn in the autumn light. Climbing the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, you can overlook the autumn view of Xi'an, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, and the blend of history and modernity.

Forbidden City

Events & Festivals

Sichuan Autumn Leaf Ecotourism Festival

In Heishui County, Sichuan, there are 3,000 square kilometers of colorful forests accompanying the glaciers and Tibetan villages. In late October, the forests enter the best viewing period, and the Autumn Leaf Ecotourism Festival opens (usually on the 18th to 27th of October).

The festival includes lots of activities to share the mesmerizing forests and rich Tibetan culture with the world. You can ride the world's highest cable car over the forests and glaciers. You can also stay in a Tibetan village and enjoy the Kasidawen Dance, a national intangible cultural heritage, as well as delicacies such as air-dried yak meat, Tibetan pork, and Tibetan wine.

Crowds & Costs

One week or so of holiday for China's National Day is the Golden Week for tourism, which usually starts on October 1st. During this period, all attractions are very busy, with the most complete range of amusement activities; at the same time, the hotels, air, and tourist attractions cost more, and the crowds will increase greatly. If you are traveling during China's National Day holiday, you can try to book everything as early as possible for more choices and lower prices.

Once the holiday is over, the crowds will significantly reduce, making it more suitable for in-depth tours of various attractions and photography; the costs for tourist attractions, hotels, and air will be back to the normal range, so if you want to save your budget, you can also choose to travel after the National Day holiday.

China Travel Tips in October

Moisturize Your Skin

The weather is generally dry in October, so bring moisturizer and water with you especially if you are traveling to windy and high-altitude areas.

Preparations for Traveling to Plateaus

In October, plateaus (such as western Sichuan) are not too cold during the day, but the climate is more changeable, so please prepare cold-proof and rain-proof items in advance; and prepare sunscreen items, as ultraviolet rays are strong in plateaus.

Precautions for Hiking and Camping

Hiking and camping are popular in October, but please take precautions against insects, snakes, etc. Take a first-aid kit with you when you go into the wilderness, and it's a good idea to travel in a group.

Travel to China in October With Odynovo

Come to China in October to encounter the most colorful, interesting, and delicious autumn! Let Odynovo create travel plans and handle possible hassles for you, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.