As summer ends gradually toward the end of September, Beijing embraces the autumn season. During this time, the air takes on a crisp comfort, the temperature strikes a perfect balance, landscapes burst into vivid hues, and nature unveils its most vibrant colors. If you’re seeking the best time to visit Beijing, autumn should be the answer from most people.
Autumn in Beijing is quite a lovely season in terms of nature, aura, weather and food. The weather makes it enjoyable to explore both outdoor and indoor attractions. The landmarks, like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Fragrant Hills, and Great Walls, are all transformed into picturesque landscapes. And Beijing’s streets in this season are also filled with aromas of roasted chestnuts and fresh seasonal fruits.
In this article, we will introduce you to Beijing’s autumn weather characteristics, places to see autumn foliage in Beijing, top things to do and autumn travel tips.
When is Autumn in Beijing
The only drawback to autumn in Beijing is that it is too short-lived, lasting only about 50 days on average. Beijing is vast, with the timing of autumn landscapes arriving slightly different across city areas and suburbs. Generally, its autumn can be divided into three stages:
- Late September to mid-October marks the start of autumn in Beijing, with the first hints of autumn appearing in the outer suburbs. During this period, areas around the city center are still lush and green.
- From mid-October to late October, lower-altitude areas and places closer to the city areas, like Mutianyu Great Wall, Badaling Great Wall, Fragrant Hill, and Baili Gallery in Yanqing, begin showcasing their vibrant colors.
- When it comes to early to mid-November, the many historical landmarks, gardens, parks, and ancient temples in the city area will unveil their unique autumn charm.
Weather and Temperature in Beijing during Autumn
As autumn begins, the average daily temperatures in Beijing gradually drop. The daytime temperatures generally range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), while the nighttime temperatures often drop to around 10°C (50°F), or even lower. This comfortable temperature makes it not too hot or too cold to enjoy any outdoor or indoor activities.
What to wear in Beijing in Autumn: Light, breathable clothing like cotton shirts, T-shirts, and thin dresses are ideal for the daytime. Considering the lower temperatures at night, it is still necessary to pack warmer attire, such as jackets, windbreakers, sweaters, etc.
Most autumn days are characterized by clear skies, abundant sunshine, and fresh air. Following the rainy season in summer, autumn sees a significant decrease in precipitation. Light showers occasionally occur, offering a relatively moderate and enjoyable humidity.
Thanks to the moderate winds and the absence of dust storms, Beijing’s autumn also sees some of the best air quality throughout the year.
Autumn Weather at a Glance & Wearing Tips
As temperatures steadily drop from September to November, and the temperature differences between day and night are significant, it is advisable to dress in layers to adapt to the changing weather.
| Months | September | October | November |
| Avg. Temperature (°C) | 15-26 | 8-19 | 1-10 |
| Average AQI | 50 | 67 | 105 |
| Average Rainfall (days) | 8 | 5 | 5 |
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Recommended Beijing Tours:
- 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour
- 3 Days Beijing Package Tour: City Highlights & Great Wall
- 5 Days Beijing Classic Tour
Places to See Autumn Colors in Beijing
The autumn foliage in Beijing is a breathtaking spectacle that should not be missed. The scenery is utterly mesmerizing when mountains, parks, and historical landmarks are adorned in shades of red, yellow, orange, brown, etc. Below are some of the best places to enjoy autumn leaves:
Fragrant Hill
- Location: No. 40, Maimai Street, Xiangshan Subdistrict, Haidian District, Beijing
- Best viewing time: mid-October to mid-November
Located in the northwest of the city, the Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) is one of the most popular places for admiring autumn foliage in Beijing. It is dominated by smoke trees, maple trees and Acer species. Every autumn, these trees will offer a stunning display of fiery red and orange leaves. The many historical landmarks scattered among the natural beauty, such as Jingcui Lake, Qinzhen Hall, and Xiangshan Temple, add a touch of historical charm to the scenic area.
Badaling Forest Park
- Location: 2 kilometers south of the entrance to Badaling Great Wall
- Best viewing time: Early October to early November
- Best viewing spots: The southern outer section and the pathway near the fourth northern tower. West of the second southern tower. Pathway between the tenth and eleventh northern towers.
As one of the largest national forest parks in Beijing, Badaling National Forest Park boasts a variety of smoke trees and torch trees. Here, you can marvel at the vibrant red and orange leaves blending harmoniously with the grand Great Wall. Towers atop the Great Wall are the best spots to enjoy the spectacular views and catch great photos.
Mutianyu Great Wall
- Location: Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing
- Best viewing time: Late October to early November
- Best viewing spots: Section between Tower 6 to Tower 10, and Tower 6 is especially standing out for autumn scenery.
Compared to the Badaling section, the Mutianyu Great Wall offers a quieter experience. And the 700-meter altitude variation in this section further enhances its scenic beauty. The vegetation coverage rate in this section reaches 96%. As autumn arrives, the greenery will be gradually replaced by vibrant hues of red, gold, and orange, creating a stunning tapestry of colors that highlights the historic charm of the ancient wall.
Baiwang Mountain Forest Park
- Location: No. 19, Heishanhu North Entrance, Haidian District
- Best viewing time: mid-October to mid-November
- Best viewing spots: Friendship Pavilion and Lanfeng Pavilion
The Baiwang Mountain Forest Park is only 3 km north of the Summer Palace, making it the closest place to see red leaves from urban Beijing. The park features over 95% vegetation coverage, and over a thousand acres of red-leaf forests. It is home to a large number of colorful trees, such as smoke trees, Yuanbao maples, torch trees, Virginia creepers, apricot trees, flame trees, ginkgo, autumn purple ash, etc.
Labagou Gate
- Location: In Labagoumen Manchu Township, Huairou District, Beijing, at the northernmost part of Beijing.
- Best viewing time: Late September to early October
- Best viewing spots: South Monkey Ridge Scenic Area, Baizhang Cliff Area
Labagou Gate Primitive Forest Park boasts the largest native oak forests in the Beijing area. It is home to a diverse range of colored leaf trees, including birch, oak, maple, and larch. South Monkey Ridge in the park is the highest peak in Huairou District, with highland meadows and birch forests creating a unique mountain landscape. Besides autumn colors, the park also houses the largest ethnic Manchu township in Beijing, allowing visitors to experience traditional Manchu architecture and culture.
Top Things to Do in Beijing in Autumn
Besides admiring the breathtaking autumn leaves, autumn is the perfect time to carry out all iconic outdoor and indoor activities in Beijing.
Visit Beijing’s Many Historical Landmarks
The many historical landmarks and imperial gardens, like Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park, are always highlights of any Beijing tour. In autumn (except during the National Day holidays), these sites see fewer crowds than the busy summer holiday and showcase a more elegant charm, with colorful autumn leaves and trees adding vibrant hues to the ancient structures. The gentle autumn sunlight also creates many great photography opportunities.
Explore Beijing’s Hutongs
Autumn is the perfect time to discover traditional life and scenic scenery hidden in Beijing’s historic hutongs. You can either choose a leisurely city walk or rent a bike to come across locals basking in the sun, immerse yourself in the hidden autumnal colors, and discover old-style corner stores.
- Nanluoguxiang: Nanluoguxiang is an artistic and culinary hub that combines the essence of old Beijing with a modern flair.
- Guozijian Hutong: Guozijian Hutong is home to two of China’s most historically significant sites: the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy (Guozijian). The rich cultural and architectural heritage here contrasts beautifully with the golden leaves in autumn, offering a stunning backdrop for photography.
- Shichahai: The Shichahai area offers not only picturesque hutongs but also serene Houhai Lake. After cycling along the ancient hutongs in this area, visitors can rent a boat and enjoy a peaceful moment on the Houhai Lake.
Enjoy Comfortable Outdoor Activities
The crisp air and stunning natural scenery make autumn a fantastic season for outdoor activities:
- Cycling: Beijing boasts several excellent cycling routes, such as the Ming Tombs Loop, Baili Gallery Scenic Route in Yanqing District, the route from Xuanwumen to Qianmen to Chongwenmen, and Wusi Street (From the Corner Tower of the Forbidden City to the National Art Museum.
- Hiking the Great Wall:There are multiple Great Wall sections around Beijing offering great opportunities for hiking. Mutianyu, Badaling, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, and Gubeikou Great Walls are some of the top ones, offering breathtaking autumn views and wild, rugged military architecture.
Taste Autumn Delicacies in Beijing
Autumn is the harvest season, and Beijing comes alive with the scents of roasted chestnuts and diverse fresh fruits. Local restaurants and food stalls offer an array of seasonal dishes that embody the warmth and richness of this golden time.
Freshly roasted sugar-glazed chestnuts offers the most iconic flavors of Beijing’s autumn streets. The traditional Beijing-style lamb hotpot will warm your heart and surround you with the coziness of autumn in Beijing. The seasonal crab is a luxurious highlight of any autumn feast. The dry and cool weather in autumn makes it the perfect time to enjoy Peking roast duck.
