Visiting China in October

The weather in October makes it another perfect time for a holiday in China, although try to avoid travelling during the first week of the month as this coincides with Chinese national holidays so can be busy, with transport and accommodation booking up fast. Otherwise, temperatures are generally still pleasantly warm or mild, with little rain.

The autumn colours are also starting to appear across the country, with some spectacular shades of red and gold in Jiuzhaigou National Park, reflected in the lakes for a doubly vibrant autumn spectacle this month. October is also one of the best times to explore Songpan before it gets too cold, to drink in the sights of the grassy plains, home to yak herders, along with the lakes and mountains at Xiahe.

It’s also a spectacular time to visit Beijing and see the Great Wall, where it’s not just cool enough to walk one of the stretches but which has vivid colours along the route, or see the autumn colours at Pingyao Ancient City. Combine it with a stay in Xi’an, the UNESCO World Heritage site temples and caves of Datong, or for a slightly warmer option, head south to Chengdu to spy pandas and relax in teahouses.

For another more unusual autumn spectacle, at the rice terraces near Guilin, the fields turn a golden yellow as the rice ripens. The terraces at Longji and Ping’an are some of the best places to see the changing colours, along with in Yunnan, where it’s one of the last months to head into hills and mountains before the cold days of winter. Taste some traditional food in Dali before wandering the cobbled streets of timeless Lijiang and exploring the Naxi villages, or following part of the ancient Tea Horse Road, once a major trading route between China and India. It’s cool but clear in Zhongdian (aka Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas, and one of the last good months to take on the challenging trek of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

On the east coast, the biggest threat from typhoons has passed, and with temperatures falling from their summer peak in Shanghai, it’s one of the best months in the city, plus the picturesque water towns nearby. Although it’s not as warm on the beaches of Putuoshan this month, October is a great time for seafood on the little island, and there’s good weather for the Buddhist temples. It’s also much colder in the Yellow Mountains but wrap up warm and you’ll enjoy some of the best conditions to hike here.

The worst of the heat has passed in Hong Kong too, and without the haze of spring, it’s one of the best months to go and enjoy the views from Victoria Peak, the ancient temples and the bustle of everyday life.

Festivals: October 1 is National Day, kicking off a week of celebrations marking the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, with events including fireworks displays and concerts, and many people travelling to be with family.

The Chongyang Festival takes place on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar, when traditionally you need to protect yourself against an imbalance of yin and yang – either by drinking chrysanthemum liquor, wearing the zhuyu plant or by climbing a high mountain.

The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place this month (or in September), originally a day to celebrate the year’s harvest. Also known as the Moon Cake festival, moon cakes are traditionally eaten, while families gather together to mark the festiva and light paper lanterns. Some areas have dragon boat races as well.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, the rice terraces of Longji, trekking and hiking, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Chengdu, festivals