October is Chengdu at its most photogenic. China National Tourism Administration ranks October among Sichuan’s peak tourism months. Wuhou Shrine ginkgo trees turn yellow in the last two weeks. Temperature drops from summer humidity to something you can walk in comfortably. Hotpot restaurants fill earlier as the evenings cool. One honest caveat: Chengdu is often overcast. This is the Sichuan Basin. The city looks good in grey light too. For seasonal planning: Best Time to Visit China.
October Weather
| Week | High / Low | Conditions |
| Oct 1 to 7 (Golden Week) | 21°C / 14°C | Good weather. Very high domestic tourist numbers. |
| Oct 8 to 15 | 20°C / 13°C | Post-holiday calm. Excellent conditions. |
| Oct 16 to 23 | 17°C / 10°C | Ginkgo season begins. Comfortable. |
| Oct 24 to 31 | 15°C / 8°C | Peak ginkgo colour. Cooler evenings. Good hotpot weather. |
Ginkgo Season
Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠): memorial complex dedicated to Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei. Ginkgo-lined paths turn intense yellow in late October. Entry ¥60. Arrive early morning. Renmin Park: ginkgo trees and outdoor teahouse. Free. The combination of yellow ginkgo canopy and mahjong games beneath the trees is the October People’s Park. Full guide: Peoples Park Guide.
October and Jiuzhaigou
October is peak Jiuzhaigou: coloured lakes reflecting red and gold autumn forest. The valley’s most vivid month. Also the most crowded. Book tickets months ahead. Full guide: Jiuzhaigou Valley Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Chengdu overview: Chengdu Travel Guide. For Golden Week: Golden Week in China. For Jiuzhaigou: Jiuzhaigou guide.