Chongqing Weather in October with Visiting Tips

October in Chongqing is comfortable, with temperatures mostly around 20-28℃ (68-82℉).

For some days, you may still catch a few hot days around 30-35℃ (86-95℉), usually in early October. And if the cold air comes, it will drop to 17-19℃ (63-66℉). That said, it's still not too hot or cold.

It rains for about 13-18 days, often coming in continuous rainfall, and lasts 2-6 days each time. But it's usually drizzly or a light shower in the early morning or late evening. You'll see some fog, not thick, and it will disappear quickly after the rain. So it won't really affect your plans.

What if I Visit Chongqing during the National Day Holiday?

October 1-7th is a peak time across China. You'll also face crazy crowds everywhere in Chongqing.

How crowded? For example, at Hongya Cave, both the ground level and Qiansimen Bridge are packed, even when vehicle lanes are fully turned into pedestrian walkways during the holiday.

Also expect long queues at attractions, packed subways, hours-long waits at restaurants, and pricey hotels. And the weather is also not so ideal. You can imagine this:

Hot + crowded: it's sunny, but you're more likely to catch 35°C/95℉ days
Rainy + crowded: although it cools down to around 19-23℃/66-73℉, visiting in the rain with crowds can feel less convenient.

Either way, it's not the most comfortable time to visit. So if your schedule is flexible, it's best to come after the holiday. Though Chongqing still sees more people, it's not so crowded.

How Can I Avoid the Crowds in Popular Attractions?

Go Early, Go Late, or Go Elsewhere can help a lot.

Hongya Cave: head to Diamond Square. It's also on the opposite riverbank.
Drone Show: Choose a rooftop bar along Nanbin Road, instead of Changjiahui
Liziba: Go to the Viewing Platform A across the river
Ciqikou Ancient Town: visit around 7–8 am or after 5 pm
Jiefangbei: after 10 pm. The shops keep open, and the food streets are still lively
Xiahaoli: after 10 pm, when the lights are still on but crowds thin out

During National Day, there are drone shows every night at 8:30 pm. You can go on October 5-7. Crowds are usually lighter than in the first few days.

Enjoy a smoother trip with the private tour

With the private transfer, you can skip crowded public transport. Your guide will also handle your planning. Book early for guide and car availability.

5 Best Things to Do in Chongqing in October

1. Admire the Chrysanthemum Exhibition at Eling Park

Every October, Eling Park hosts a free chrysanthemum exhibition. As you enter the park, you'll be greeted by colorful chrysanthemums arranged in different artistic shapes near the gate.

But the outdoor flowers are not the real highlight. Walk further into the park, and you'll find an indoor exhibition hall featuring premium chrysanthemum varieties, including some rare types you rarely see in ordinary flower markets.

After visiting the exhibition, you can continue exploring the park's Chinese traditional gardens, walk through the forest on elevated boardwalks, and enjoy views of the light rail, the Jialing River, and Chongqing's skyscrapers all in one frame.

2. Take a Forest Walk on Huangge Ancient Trail

Sometimes, when thinking of a certain type of tree, you may immediately associate it with a particular city. In Chongqing, that tree is the Ficus virens, which you'll see over the city.

On Huangge Ancient Trail, there are large forests of Ficus virens. They're still lush and green in October, best for a slow walk here. You won't meet worms on the trails like in Spring.

As you stroll along the shady stone-paved paths, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, the whole place feels incredibly peaceful and healing. There are also many tea house tables under the trees. You can stop and sit down anytime for a drink to enjoy the tranquil time.

I recommend a city walk route: Laojun Cave (city viewpoint) → Former Residence of Sanmao (a photogenic cultural spot) → Huangge Ancient Trail → Huangge Ancient Street. It's mostly downhill, taking around two hours, and is also senior-friendly.

3. Celebrate Halloween at Chongqing Happy Valley

If you want to celebrate Halloween in Chongqing, Happy Valley hosts the biggest Halloween Carnival Dark every year in late October, best for both adults and kids to enjoy the spooky fun.

Put on a devilish makeup look and, together with your kids, wander through streets filled with witches, zombies, and ghosts. Along the parade route, you stand by the floats, scream and laugh with the crowd, take photos, wave to the performers, and watch them dance and sing.

Kids will also love the Ferris wheel and roller coaster. You can also explore the haunted house, with "ghosts" suddenly jumping out to startle you. Screams and laughter are all around you.

Timing tips: You can enter the park at 5 pm, and the activities start between 7 and 8 a.m.

Happy Valley is about a 40-minute drive from city center. Or you can stay closer, enjoying a Halloween dinner with your family at Jiefangbei Castle Restaurant. We can help you plan your visit if you like.

4. Explore Wujiang Gallery and Gongtan Ancient Town

If you don't have time for a 3–4 day Yangtze River Cruise but still want a boat ride with scenery like the Three Gorges, a day trip to Wujiang Gallery is a great alternative.

In October, with less rainfall, the river of Wujiang Gallery stays clear and jade-like. You can stand on the deck to feel the breeze or sit in the cabin, watching the boat glide past lush green mountains and rivers, leaving white waves behind. It's a truly peaceful experience.

Right next to the Wujiang River is Gongtan Ancient Town. This riverside old town in the mountains is perfect for a stroll after you get off the boat, offering great views of the Wujiang.

There are very few tourists here, and it hasn't been commercialized. Local people still live in the traditional stilt houses. You can see them playing mahjong, cooking, sun-drying homemade bean paste, or even playing with kittens outside their homes.

It's 3h-driving from Chongqing, and not easy to hail a car here. You can join our 6-day Chongqing, Wulong, and Wujiang Gallery tour, with a private car to transfer you to and from.

5. Visit Wulong Karst Region

Wulong is best visited after the National Day Holiday, when there are fewer tourists, cool around 20-28℃(68-82℉), and still lush green landscapes.

In Three Natural Bridges, the massive stone bridges and sky holes leave you in awe. The Transformers sculptures will also bring you back to the movie. And next seconds, you're in a tucked-away paradise, with traditional courtyards in the deep valley.

Longshuixia Gorge keeps you in summer. Passing the cliffs with moss and ferns, with waterfalls cascading beside you, and turquoise streams flowing right beneath your feet.

Furong Cave (stalactites) and Fairy Mountain's grasslands are usually arranged on the same day. You can wear light autumn clothes inside Furong Cave, but at Fairy Mountain, it can get quite cold, around 3-15℃ (37-59℉). So it's best to bring a thicker jacket.

Have no idea how to arrange your trips in Chongqing? You can see our Chongqing Itinerary to get some inspiration.

What to Wear in Chongqing in October

Prepare both summer and autumn clothes, as Chongqing in October can still feel hot on some days but cool on others.

Typically, your outfits for this month in Chongqing include:

T-shirts with shorts or skirts (when it reaches above 30℃/86℉ sometimes)
T-shirts with a light jacket and long skirts or pants (you can take the jacket off when it gets warm and put it back on when it turns cooler).

Long sleeves, hoodies, jackets, and long pants (great for cooler days around 14-20℃/57-68℉)

Don't forget to pack an umbrella, sunscreen, a sun-protective jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a hat. You'll still likely need them in October.

Explore Chongqing with Us

We customize the itinerary based on your interests and travel pace. You can tell us what you like, or join our well-design Chongqing tours:

Chongqing Weather by Month

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