A Month-by-Month China Travel Guide: Where to Travel in China in October
A year-round guide to discovering China’s most beautiful, culturally rich, and seasonally perfect destinations.
October might just be the best travel month in China. After the first week’s National Day rush, the country settles into a calm, golden rhythm. Skies are crisp and clear, autumn colours peak across the north, and even cities feel more breathable. It’s harvest season, hiking season, hotpot season — a time when everything slows down just a little and the landscapes put on their grand finale.
October
Autumn Peaks, Glowing Forests, and Travel at its Finest
Beijing & The Great Wall
Imperial gold under cobalt skies
October transforms Beijing. Gone is the summer haze; in its place: electric blue skies, golden ginkgo trees, and the capital’s architectural drama in full definition. The city’s autumn clarity makes it ideal for park strolls, cultural deep dives, and Great Wall adventures.
Top things to do:
Hike quieter sections of the Great Wall like Jinshanling or Huanghuacheng, with fall foliage rolling into the horizon.
Wander Beihai Park or Jingshan Park for postcard views of the Forbidden City surrounded by autumn trees.
Visit the 798 Art District or attend fall exhibitions at UCCA.
Sip pu’er tea at a traditional hutong teahouse or try seasonal imperial dishes.
What to eat: Beijing roast duck, chestnut-filled pastries, hotpot with fresh mushrooms, and fried persimmon cakes.
Travel tips:
Avoid Oct 1–7 (Golden Week) unless you love crowds — travel afterward is blissful.
Pack layers: warm days, cool nights.
October is one of the clearest months for photography — bring that long lens.
Chongqing
Hotpot heat meets cool mountain mist
Fog-laced and neon-lit, Chongqing in October is wonderfully moody. With summer’s stickiness gone and the spicy cuisine still going strong, this is a perfect time to dive into the mountain city’s dramatic streets, riverside skylines, and chaotic charm.
Top things to do:
Ride the Yangtze River cableway across the misty city at sunset.
Explore the Ciqikou Ancient Town and the iconic Hongyadong riverside complex.
Take a day trip to Wulong Karst — caves, sinkholes, and bridges featured in Transformers 4.
Soak in a hot spring on a cool evening (if you get any!) with skyline views.
What to eat: Spicy hotpot (choose your spice level wisely), cold mung bean jelly, Chongqing noodles, and smoked bacon.
Travel tips:
Bring comfy walking shoes — the city is vertical.
Hotpot restaurants are packed in October — go early or book ahead.
Ejina Poplar Forest, Inner Mongolia
Golden dreams in the desert
Hidden near the Mongolian border, Ejina becomes one of China’s most magical places in October. For just a few weeks, the desert poplar trees turn brilliant yellow, mirrored in rivers and framed by dusty blue skies. It’s fleeting — and breathtaking.
Top things to do:
Wander through Populus Euphratica Forest for golden arches and twisted trees.
Visit the Black City Ruins (Heicheng), an ancient Silk Road outpost now swallowed by sand.
Camp under the stars or join a photography group chasing the golden light.
Walk the wooden boardwalks near Juyan Lake for serene reflections.
What to eat: Lamb skewers, milk tea with salt, dried dates, and Mongolian-style flatbread.
Travel tips:
Access is remote — fly to Jiayuguan or Alxa Right Banner, then drive 6–8 hours.
Golden color peaks mid-October — don’t wait too long.
Book early — limited guesthouses and lots of photographers.
Jingdezhen, Jiangxi
China’s porcelain capital in festival bloom
In October, Jingdezhen buzzes with ceramic energy. Kilns fire, potters display their wares, and the air smells like woodsmoke and wet clay. Add in cooling temperatures, fall markets, and surrounding bamboo forests — and it’s a creative escape with soul.
Top things to do:
Attend the International Ceramic Fair, usually held mid-October.
Explore the Taoxichuan Art District, packed with workshops, coffee shops, and design galleries.
Take a pottery class or visit studios in nearby Sanbao Village.
Discover the Ancient Kiln Folk Museum with live demonstrations of Ming-style porcelain making.
What to eat: Claypot rice, tea-smoked duck, sesame cakes, and river prawns with bamboo shoots.
Travel tips:
Autumn foliage adds richness to the scenery — ideal for sketching or photos.
Combine with Wuyuan for a golden village loop.
Trains from Nanchang or Huangshan make it easily accessible.
Mount Huashan, Shaanxi
Cliffside hikes and Taoist silence
One of China’s Five Sacred Mountains, Huashan is famed for its dizzying trails, legendary sword legends, and spiritual calm. October’s cooler weather and fiery foliage make the hard climbs feel more rewarding — and the air clearer for those epic views.
Top things to do:
Brave the Plank Walk, a narrow wooden trail bolted to the cliff.
Climb to the East Peak for sunrise or stay overnight in a mountaintop inn.
Visit Taoist temples clinging to the rock, especially Jintian Palace.
Take the cable car if you’d rather skip the stair torture — no shame.
What to eat: Shaanxi-style noodles, meat buns, black fungus soup, and mountain chestnuts.
Travel tips:
Base in Huayin or take a day trip from Xi’an.
Crowds peak around Oct 1–7 — aim for later in the month.
Weather can change fast — bring windbreakers and gloves.
Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan
China’s most surreal autumn palette
While spring brings waterfall power, Jiuzhaigou in October is a living painting — turquoise lakes, red and gold forests, and crystalline reflections in every direction. It's high up, peaceful, and otherworldly.
Top things to do:
Explore the classic lakes: Five Flower Lake, Panda Lake, and Mirror Lake.
Visit Nuorilang Waterfall, glowing with golden leaf cover.
Spot Tibetan villages on the valley edge and local temples in the forest.
Hike the lesser-known Zharu Valley for fewer people and raw beauty.
What to eat: Yak skewers, barley pancakes, Tibetan tea with butter, and wild mushroom soup.
Travel tips:
Elevation is high — pace yourself, and stay hydrated.
October is dry and clear — but nights get cold. Bring warm layers.
Combine with Huanglong Scenic Area for travertine terraces and alpine scenery.
Nanjing, Jiangsu
Ancient capital with modern soul and autumn color
Nanjing is often overlooked — but in October, it comes into its own. Tree-lined avenues blaze yellow, the air is soft and dry, and history meets modern city living in all the right ways.
Top things to do:
Walk the City Wall and climb Zijin Mountain for city and forest views.
Visit Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and nearby Ming tombs under golden canopy.
Take a boat through Qinhuai River at dusk and explore lantern-lit streets.
Relax in Xuanwu Lake Park with lotus tea and a quiet breeze.
What to eat: Duck blood soup noodles, salted duck, pan-fried rice cakes, and osmanthus-scented treats.
Travel tips:
Less crowded than Shanghai but just as atmospheric.
Stay near the lake or Confucius Temple area for walkability.
Don’t miss the Autumn Maple Festival at Qixia Mountain later in the month.
October is clarity. It’s golden ginkgo leaves on palace roofs. It’s fire-orange trees in the forest and candle-lit old towns by the river. It’s cool air that revives, warm meals that comfort, and a pace that finally slows down. If there’s a month to fall in love with China — for real — it’s probably this one.
If you’re planning a trip in October, book early—but travel slow. These landscapes deserve time. And if you’re curious about where to go once the leaves begin to fall, November is full of quiet villages, mountain retreats, and warm bowls of something delicious.