Autumn in China 2027: Where to Go from September to November

This page covers autumn weather by region, where to go, the holiday weeks, autumn colour and what to book early. For every month of the year, see when to visit China month by month.

What is the weather like in China in autumn?

Autumn starts warm and ends cold. Rain drops off in most places after September. The figures below are long-term averages from the China Meteorological Administration, not forecasts.

The north: Beijing, Xi'an and Harbin

September is still warm in Beijing, with average highs of about 27 °C. October is crisp. Beijing's average high is about 19 °C, and nights drop to about 9 °C. Xi'an is similar, at about 20 °C in October.

November is cold. Beijing's average high is about 10 °C, and nights fall to about 1 °C. Harbin, in the far northeast, hovers around freezing by day in November.

The Yangtze: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing and Chengdu

September is warm, with average highs of about 28 °C in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuhan. October is milder, at about 23 °C.

It also gets drier. Shanghai gets about 133 mm of rain in September and about 63 mm in October. Chengdu drops from about 124 mm to about 38 mm. By November, Shanghai's average high is about 18 °C.

The south: Guangzhou, Guilin and Hong Kong

The south stays warm all autumn. Guangzhou's average high is about 32 °C in September and still about 25 °C in November. Guilin is about 21 °C in November.

Rain falls sharply after September. Guangzhou gets about 201 mm in September but about 71 mm in October. In Hong Kong, typhoons can strike until November. July to September are the most likely months.

The southwest and northwest: Yunnan, Qinghai and Dunhuang

Yunnan's rainy season ends in autumn. Kunming gets about 114 mm of rain in September and about 37 mm in November. Its average high is about 21 °C in October.

The northwest cools fast. Dunhuang's average high drops from about 27 °C in September to about 19 °C in October. October nights there are close to freezing. Xining is cooler still, at about 14 °C by day in October.

Where should you go in China in autumn?

Most classic routes work well in autumn. Here is where each part of the season shines:

• September and October: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Hangzhou and the Yangtze cities are mild and dry enough for long walking days.
• Late September to October: Dunhuang and the Silk Road, before the cold nights of November. See the Dunhuang and Mogao Caves guide.
• October and November: Yunnan, as its rainy season ends. See Kunming and Dali.
• November: Guilin, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and the south, which stay warm.

Skip the far north in late November unless you want early winter. For that, see winter in China.

Where can you see autumn colour in China?

Two parks in Sichuan are popular for autumn colour. At Hailuogou, the colour usually runs from mid-October to mid-November. See the Hailuogou glacier guide.

Jiuzhaigou is famous for its lakes in autumn. It is also very busy. The park caps visits at 41,000 people a day in peak season, and you must book a real-name ticket. In 2026, tickets for 1 November sold out three days ahead. See the Jiuzhaigou guide.

Colour dates change each year. Check local reports a week or two before you go.

How busy is China in autumn?

The National Day week is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. In 2027 it runs from Friday 1 October to Thursday 7 October. Sunday 26 September and Saturday 9 October are working days, so the week before and after can also be busy.

In 2026, the railway's Mid-Autumn and National Day season ran from 23 September to 8 October. It carried 302 million passengers. On 1 October alone, 25.2 million people travelled by train, a record for a single day. Famous sights are often packed that week. For a full plan, see Golden Week China travel.

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Wednesday 15 September 2027. It is one day off, so book trains early if you travel around that day. See Chinese festivals 2027.

There are no public holidays in November 2027. After the National Day week, crowds usually ease.

What should you book early for an autumn trip?

If your dates touch Mid-Autumn or 1 to 7 October, book everything as early as you can.

Train tickets usually go on sale 15 days before departure. Around the holidays, book as soon as sales open. Use 12306, the official China Railway site, with your passport. For help, see 12306 tickets for foreigners.

Book hotels early for the holiday weeks. Sights with a daily cap, like Jiuzhaigou, can sell out, so book them the day booking opens. Set up Alipay for foreigners before you fly.

How do you plan around the National Day week?

The simplest plan is to travel in September or after 7 October. If you must travel that week, stay longer in one place. Visit the most famous sights before 1 October or after 7 October. Spend the holiday in a smaller city or on slow days.

Pack layers. September can feel like summer, and November can feel like winter. For a full list, see what to pack for China.

Trips that include this

• Jiuzhaigou Nature, 8 days: Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and Leshan, for the autumn lakes.
• Hangzhou and Huangshan, 7 days: Shanghai, Hangzhou and Huangshan, in mild October weather.
• First Time in China, 9 days: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, best outside the National Day week.
• See all our China tours.

LocalKey plans private trips for your own party only, at two levels under private China tours: Independent and Private Guided. On Independent, a local guide, a car and driver, and an airport pickup are optional add-ons on the days you choose.