01Weather
Beijing weather in October
Afternoons in October average 19.7 °C (67 °F) and nights cool to 7.3 °C (45 °F). The month brings about 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 5 days. Compared with September it is 8.5 °C cooler; November is 7.7 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical October | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 24 °C / 75 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 15 °C / 59 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 35 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.2 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 1.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 17 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest October day 2016–2025 | 30.0 °C / -3.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October | 06:10 | 17:57 | 11.8 h |
| 15 October | 06:25 | 17:35 | 11.2 h |
| 31 October | 06:42 | 17:13 | 10.5 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 78 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai), including the clock change on the last Sunday of October.
03Crowds
How busy Beijing is in October
very busy The main sights are very busy in October. What drives it:
- Golden Week 1–7 October
- autumn leaves at Fragrant Hills late October
04Public holidays
Public holidays in October 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2027 | National Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Beijing in October
Every year in October
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| National Day Golden Week | 1–7 October | holiday |
| Fragrant Hills red leaves | late October to mid-November | seasonal |
| Beijing Marathon | October or November | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for Beijing in October
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
October has the finest weather of the year, with afternoons around 19 °C, dry air and clear skies, but the first week is National Day Golden Week, the single busiest travel period in China, when every sight is at capacity and Tiananmen Square is decorated and packed. From 8 October it is superb, with red leaves at the Fragrant Hills in the final ten days and the ginkgo avenues at Diaoyutai turning gold. Rain falls on about four days.
The Beijing Marathon runs in October or November. The Great Wall at Jinshanling in autumn colour is the classic photograph. Hotel rates fall sharply after the holiday. The Forbidden City's timed slots are easy from mid-October. Daylight shrinks from twelve hours to eleven. For the cold, clear month with the last foliage, see November.
09Compare
Beijing month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -9 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 7 °C | -6 °C | 3 | – | moderate | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 2 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 23 °C | 8 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 29 °C | 14 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 33 °C | 20 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| July | 33 °C | 23 °C | 12 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 32 °C | 22 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| September | 28 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 7 °C | 5 | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 12 °C | 0 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 5 °C | -8 °C | 1 | – | quiet | Good |
Not sure about October? See the best time to visit Beijing.
10Elsewhere
October in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in October | 20 °C | – |
| Shanghai in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Kyoto in October | 24 °C | 8 |
| Tokyo in October | 22 °C | 10 |
| Bangkok in October | 33 °C | 22 |
| Singapore in October | 32 °C | 12 |
11FAQ
Beijing in October: your questions
Is October a good time to visit Beijing?
October is a good month to visit Beijing. Daytime highs average 20 °C (67 °F), rain falls on about 5 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Beijing in October?
Expect mild days around 20 °C (67 °F) and nights near 7 °C (45 °F). One October in ten brings afternoons above 24 °C, and one in ten stays below 15 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in October?
October brings about 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain over roughly 5 days, which is fairly dry by Beijing standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 17 percent.
What should I wear in Beijing in October?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Beijing crowded in October?
The main sights are very busy in October. Main drivers: Golden Week 1–7 October; autumn leaves at Fragrant Hills late October.
What time does it get dark in Beijing in October?
Around the middle of October the sun sets at about 17:35 and rises at 06:25, giving 11.2 hours of daylight.