When to go · Beijing
Beijing in October
Mixed month. Best weather, but National Day week is at peak crowds.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- High
- China overall
- Prices
- High
- China overall
Verdict
Best weather, but National Day week is at peak crowds.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than October?
October is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in October
- BeijingHighs around 19 °C (66 °F), lows around 7 °C (45 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 66 °F (19 °C), lows around 45 °F (7 °C), rain on about 5 days
- North China, China · Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Datong, Pingyaobest weather
Continental: dry winters down to −10 °C (14 °F), hot humid summers with thunderstorms. Dust and smog peak in late winter and spring; September–October is the clear season.Continental: dry winters down to 14 °F (−10 °C), hot humid summers with thunderstorms. Dust and smog peak in late winter and spring; September–October is the clear season.
Apr–May, Sep–Oct season
The most comfortable months; Oct 1–7 (National Day) is the most crowded week of the year, avoid if possible.
Festivals and holidays
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.
Mid-Autumn Festival check
15th day of the 8th lunar month; moves yearly · Citywide
Mooncakes everywhere; a short public holiday, often combined with National Day.
National Day (Golden Week)
1–7 October · Nationwide
The single busiest travel week of the year; major sights are at peak crowds and prices.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- High
- Prices · China overall
- High
China overall: Clear skies and colour, but avoid 1–7 October; the rest of the month is ideal.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Beijing, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
May: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
Oct: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 5 (better)
May: 8
Crowds
Oct: High
May: High
Prices
Oct: High
May: High
Festivals listed
Oct: 2
May: 2
October: Best weather, but National Day week is at peak crowds.
May: Warm and dry; May Day week is crowded.
Beijing: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings