Beijing Weather in November: Things to Do (2025)

Weather: November in Beijing marks the transition from late autumn to early winter. The average temperature ranges from 1°C to 10°C (33.8°F to 50°F).

It is cold and dry, with very little rainfall. Temperatures tend to drop further in the latter part of the month.

Clothing:

• Sweater, winter pants, trench coat, warm jacket
• Hat, gloves, scarf
• Light down jacket (if you plan to visit the Great Wall or Fragrant Hills Park, the temperature will be lower than in the city, so dress in warmer layers)

Beijing November weather

Is November a Good Time to Visit Beijing？

Yes, November is one of the best months to visit Beijing.

The temperature in Beijing can vary throughout the month. On sunny days, it often feels warm and comfortable, which makes sightseeing pleasant.

Compared to the National Day holiday in early October, which is a peak travel period, November sees fewer tourists and lower prices.

As it is the low season for tourism, you could enjoy a more relaxed and budget-friendly experience in the city.

Early November is the best time to visit, with mild weather and beautiful autumn colors at their peak.

What Can I do in Beijing in November？

This section introduces top things to do during a November visit to Beijing.

Immerse in the Stunning Autumn Colors

November 1 to 10 is the final and best time to see autumn colors in Beijing. During this period, ginkgo trees are still golden.

We recommend the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace as top spots for ginkgo viewing.

As November is the low season in Beijing, popular attractions are less crowded. You could take your time and soak in a quieter, more immersive autumn atmosphere.

In the Forbidden City, you could wander through large ginkgo groves, such as Shibahuai.

With red walls, yellow roof tiles, and a clear blue sky, the setting creates a vivid visual contrast. It is also perfect for capturing beautiful photos.

Ginkgo in the Forbidden City

If you enjoy photography, you could wear traditional Qing Dynasty costumes. This adds a fun and memorable element to your autumn visit.

Qing Dynasty costumes experience

At the Summer Palace, you could go to Binfeng Bridge. From there, take in the mix of golden ginkgo trees, lakeside views, and classic Chinese architecture.

Besides ginkgo, early November is also a good time to admire the red leaves at Fragrant Hills Park.

The best view is from the hilltop, where you could overlook a sea of fiery red and a panoramic view of the city.

Red leaves seen from the hilltop of Fragrant Hills

If you want to explore the autumn in Beijing, see our 6-Day Beijing Autumn Tour.

Visit Gubei Water Town

Gubei Water Town is a rare destination where you could experience hot springs, traditional culture, Great Wall views, and even snow scenery, all in one place.

November is the low season here. Hotel and hot spring prices are more affordable, and there are fewer visitors.

You could stroll along the stone paths at your own pace and take in the peaceful charm of the town.

In early November, autumn colors are still vibrant. You could walk through quiet alleyways lined with red leaves or take a boat ride on the lake, which usually begins to freeze by mid-November.

Red leaves

As the weather gets colder later in the month, it is a great time for a hot spring retreat.

We recommend Gubei Zhi Guang Hot Spring Holiday Hotel, where you could relax in warm pools while admiring views of the Simatai Great Wall.

Hot spring

To stay warm, you could also join indoor cultural activities. Try traditional cloth dyeing, hand-make a kite, or watch a shadow puppet show.

Kite making

If you are lucky, you might catch Beijing's first snowfall in late November.

The grey-tiled roofs and riverside buildings take on the look of a Chinese ink painting, especially with the Great Wall in the background.

Snow scene

If you do not mind the chill at night, consider visiting the Simatai Great Wall. It is the only section of the Wall open after dark. Check out 2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour.

Night Tour of Simatai Great Wall

Go on a Food Tour

Tasting local food is a wonderful way to explore a city. In chilly November, warm, steaming dishes bring comfort from the inside out.

The piping hot, juicy Doornail Meat Pie is perfect for cold days.

We recommend visiting Huguo Temple Snack Street, located near Shichahai. It offers authentic local snacks as well as imperial-style pastries, giving you a rich and varied taste of Beijing in one stop.

Doornail Meat Pie

You could also try lamb dipped in sesame sauce at South Gate Hotpot and crispy, juicy dumplings at Mr. Shi's Dumplings.

South Gate Hotpot

If you are interested in Chinese court culture, the Court Banquet restaurant is a good choice. You could try royal-style dishes while watching traditional music and dance performances.

For dressing up, we recommend thick Song or Ming dynasty costumes, which are perfect for November.

Court Banquet restaurant

If you want a hands-on experience, you could take a dumpling-making or cooking class in the hutongs. It is a fun way to learn classic Beijing recipes and connect with local food culture in a personal way.

Our guests learned to make dumplings

Our itineraries can be customized and adjusted to your needs, so feel free to contac us.

Beijing Climate Information by Month

• Beijing Weather in January
• Beijing Weather in February
• Beijing Weather in March
• Beijing Weather in April
• Beijing Weather in May
• Beijing Weather in June
• Beijing Weather in July
• Beijing Weather in August
• Beijing Weather in September
• Beijing Weather in October
• Beijing Weather in November
• Beijing Weather in December