Weather: October is mild and cool, around 21°C (70°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night. It's not as sweltering as the previous months, and also not as cold as winter, making it a pleasantly cool month for you to visit Chengdu.
Rainfall: It tends to be cloudy and rainy for more than half of the month, but the rain is usually light and less humid, so it won't affect your travel plans much.
Clothing: Long trousers, sleeves, or a light sweater and jacket are enough for daytime. Bring a waterproof coat or umbrella for rainy days, and an extra layer for cooler nights.
Is October a Good Time to Visit Chengdu?
October is also a great time to visit Chengdu with comfortable temperatures, but you'd better avoid visiting during October 1-8.
October 1-8 is China's National Day holiday, also the busiest travel period to visit Chengdu. You'll expect higher prices for flights and hotels (double as normal time), along with large crowds and long queues.
Crowded Jinli Old StreetWe recommend planning your visit after October 10. By then, the holiday rush is over, prices start to drop, and you'll enjoy a more relaxed experience with shorter lines at popular spots.
While Chengdu's autumn foliage isn't at its peak yet, if you want to visit nearby places like Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou, or Bipenggou, you'll still catch stunning fall colours.
What to Do in Chengdu in October
Aside from the National Day holiday, October is great for most activities in Chengdu. We highly recommend you try local snacks, see pandas, and enjoy some seasonal autumn scenery.
1. Savor Spicy and Warm Snacks
The cool weather in October is perfect to enjoy something spicy or warming, like hotpot, chuanchuan skewers, spicy rabbit head, or dumplings. These hearty dishes are great for warming up and boosting your appetite.
Spicy snacks in ChengduMost of Chengdu's food streets are open-air, but October is cool and mostly cloudy, so you won't feel as hot or sweaty while walking around as you do in summer or early autumn.
We recommend you visit Kuanzhai Alley (Wide and Narrow Alleys). It's not only a must-visit Chengdu landmark, but also packed with a wide variety of local snacks.
Enjoy a spicy hot potFrom mid-October onwards, the crowds gradually thin out, so you can take your time to enjoy the snacks and photos without long queues. And when you're tired from walking and want to sit down for a bite, it's much easier to find a seat.
2. Meet Active Pandas in Chengdu Panda Breeding Center
October has around 20°C (68 °F) weather, not as cold as in winter, and it's just right for both pandas and visitors. You can see the pandas being more active and playful in cool temperatures.
Playful pandas at Chengdu Panda Research BaseAt Chengdu Panda Breeding Center, you can see the most pandas and cubs, sometimes up to 50 or 60 at once.
And in October, most pandas stay outdoors in the open air, so unlike in the previous hot months, you won't have to watch them behind glass indoors most of the time.
Watch giant pandas outdoorsAlthough the breeding center is less crowded after the National Day holiday, it's still busier than other panda centers. We recommend visiting on weekdays if your schedule is flexible.
Except for the popular star panda Huahua, which usually has long queues, you'll find plenty of spacious spots to watch and take photos in the other panda enclosures.
3. Capture Golden Leaves in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong
Late October, especially from October 25 onward, is the golden time to visit Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, covered in beautiful autumn colors. You can easily snap stunning photos just like the shots you see on social media.
Jiuzhaigou in the golden leaves timeHowever, although Chengdu has passed its peak season in mid or late October, Jiuzhaigou remains in its peak season throughout the entire month.
Most visitors start their trip from Chengdu, so train tickets can still be hard to get, and hotels and entrance tickets in Jiuzhaigou tend to be in high demand as well.
So, if you're planning to visit both Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou, we recommend booking at least 1–2 months in advance. You'll also be prepared for large crowds in Jiuzhaigou, but the stunning scenery is definitely worth it.
4. Witness Cloud Sea and Red Maples in Mount Emei
In October, you're more likely to catch the cloud sea at Emei Mountain compared to previous months. The autumn foliage season also begins from mid-October, and you can enjoy and photograph beautiful red leaves at Leidongping, Golden Summit, and Shuangshuijing.
Mount Emei in autumn colorsIf you're not keen on reaching the summit, you can explore the foot of the mountain instead, such as hiking around Wannian Temple.
The temperature down there is around 20°C (68 °F), cooler and more comfortable, making the hike easier for seniors and kids, and you'll also enjoy both red leaves and Buddhist cultures.
It can get quite cold at the summit of Emei Mountain in October, with temperatures dropping to as low as 3°C (37 °F). If you plan to go up, be sure to wear a thick jacket.
Wear a jacket on the golden summit of Mount EmeiBut if you're traveling with seniors or young children, it's better to stay in the lower areas or visit on a sunny day when it's a bit warmer.
5. Visit Leshan Giant Buddha in Osmanthus Fragrance
Temperatures at the Leshan Giant Buddha are similar to Chengdu in October, cool and pleasant. It's also osmanthus season on the mountain, so you can enjoy a relaxed, fragrant hike through the scenic trails.
You can view Leshan Giant Buddha like this by hikingIf you're taking the boat ride, you'll also get to enjoy the cool breeze. Just remember to bring an extra light jacket, as a boat ride is cooler than hiking.
But you still have to expect some crowds and lines even after the National Holiday. Many of China's senior tour groups also choose to travel right after the holiday rush, and the Giant Buddha is always on their list.
We recommend taking the VIP boat tour or starting your visit early, around 7 to 8 a.m. That's when the walking trails are less crowded, and you can enjoy a more relaxed and quiet moment to admire the Giant Buddha and the scenic surroundings.
Chengdu Weather by Month
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- Chengdu Weather in September
- Chengdu Weather in October
- Chengdu Weather in November
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