Beijing · Month comparison

November vs October

October ranks #1 overall vs November at #8. National Day Golden Week brings China's largest domestic travel surge — magical if you plan around it

Houhai lake in Beijing with autumn reflections

November

#8 of 12 months

Worth considering

Autumn fades to winter — quiet streets and good value before the cold sets in

  • ↑Low tourist numbers and affordable hotels after Golden Week exodus
  • ↑Late ginkgo and maple foliage at Fragrant Hills peaks in early November
Tiananmen Square decorated with flowers and national flags for National Day

October

#1 of 12 months

Best match

National Day Golden Week brings China's largest domestic travel surge — magical if you plan around it

  • ↑National Day celebrations (Oct 1) at Tiananmen Square are a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle
  • ↑Post-Golden Week (Oct 8+) the crowds drop but the autumn colour remains superb
FactorNovemberOctober
Weather score
5
9
Value score
7
3
Crowd score
4
10
Events score
3
8
Atmosphere
6
8
Avg high temp8°C17°C
Monthly rain8mm16mm
Daily sunshine6.5hrs9.5hrs

November trade-offs

  • ↓Temperatures drop fast (3–13°C) and first pollution events return by month end
  • ↓Days shorten quickly — outdoor sightseeing windows narrow

October trade-offs

  • ↓Oct 1–7 Golden Week is China's busiest travel period — expect wall-to-wall crowds at every sight
  • ↓Hotels and transport booked out months ahead, prices surge to annual peak
  • ↓Queue times at Forbidden City, Great Wall can exceed 2 hours
See all 12 months for Beijing →November in detail →October in detail →
Scores compare months within Beijing. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →