What to wear in Nanjing in October: National Day crowds, osmanthus season and a month that shifts from late summer to deep autumn

In October, Nanjing's average daytime high is about 22.8°C and the nighttime low is around 14.2°C. Total rainfall for the month is roughly 55 mm across about seven rainy days, and sunshine is among the best of the year. A long-sleeve shirt, or a short-sleeve shirt with a light jacket, is enough for daytime; add a knit sweater or jacket in the morning and evening. Early in the month it can occasionally reach around 30°C, while by the end you'll want a slightly warmer jacket.

October is the month when you worry least about the weather in Nanjing. What you really need to worry about is the crowds: the first seven days are the National Day holiday, when attractions, high-speed trains and hotels are at their busiest. Below we cover temperatures and what to wear, then October-only highlights like osmanthus blooms and chrysanthemum shows, plus how to avoid the crowds around the holiday. For choosing a season year-round, see our Nanjing four-season travel guide.

October temperatures: from late summer to deep autumn in one month

According to China Meteorological Administration averages for 1991–2020, Nanjing's average temperature in October is 18.0°C, with nearly a 9-degree gap between day and night. Early in the month, summer often lingers in what locals call the "autumn tiger": the hottest day of October averages around 29.8°C, with a historical high of 38.1°C. By month's end, cold fronts push south one after another, and mornings around 10°C are nothing unusual.

Rain is scarce. Average precipitation in October is 55.5 mm over about 7 rainy days, among the lowest of the year. Sunshine totals roughly 169 hours—nearly half of all possible daylight—tying August for the annual high. Humidity sits just above 70%, far fresher than summer, so you can walk outdoors all day without getting sticky.

For visitors from Taiwan or Hong Kong, early October in Nanjing feels much like autumn back home, but late October turns noticeably cooler, 6 or 7 degrees lower than Taipei or Hong Kong. So if you're traveling in late October, pack enough outer layers.

What to wear by time of month

Daytime: In early October, wear short sleeves or light long sleeves and a hat when the sun is strong. From mid to late October, go with a long-sleeve shirt or light sweatshirt plus a thin jacket you can easily take off. Zhongshan Mountain and the city walls offer little shade, and the October sun can still burn after prolonged exposure, so don't skip sunscreen.

Mornings and evenings: Early mornings and nights are 7 or 8 degrees cooler than daytime. Add a knit cardigan in early October; switch to a jacket or light windbreaker later in the month. On a Qinhuai River boat ride or a stroll along Xuanwu Lake, the breeze can feel chilly, so keep a jacket in your backpack ready to pull out.

When it rains: October rain usually comes in short bursts, so a folding umbrella is enough. If you hit a day or two of steady drizzle, temperatures drop several degrees below sunny days—just dress for late-month weather on those days.

Indoors: The indoor-outdoor temperature gap is small this month, so you won't be constantly putting layers on and taking them off when ducking into malls or museums. It's the easiest month of the year for dressing. If your hotel room feels chilly at night, just switch the AC to heat.

Shoes: Attractions are packed during National Day, and you'll often be standing in line, so comfortable sneakers with cushioned soles matter most. After climbing the 392 steps at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or walking the ramps of the Ming City Wall, your feet take more of a beating than usual.

Traveling with seniors or kids: Early-month afternoons are still warm, so older travelers and children should drink plenty of water and avoid climbing steps around noon. Late in the month, mornings and evenings turn cool, and kids can catch a chill after sweating—pack an extra top to change into. In crowded spots, dress kids in bright colors so they're easy to spot if you get separated.

Mountains vs. downtown: Purple Mountain is densely wooded and one or two degrees cooler than the Xinjiekou area at the same time, especially in the shade. The terrace in front of the memorial hall at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the top of the city wall are another story—no shade at all, hot in the sun and chilly when the wind picks up. Since you'll move between these environments throughout the day, the best approach is a thin quick-dry base layer under a cardigan or jacket you can easily take off or put back on.

What to do in early, mid and late October

Early month (Oct 1–7): It's the National Day holiday, osmanthus is in full bloom, and the weather is warm. Head to Zhongshan Mountain in the morning to enjoy the fragrance, then skip the busiest attractions in the afternoon for a stroll along the city wall or through old-town alleys. Mid-month (Oct 8–20): The holiday is over and crowds thin out fast. Daytime highs hover just above 20°C, making these ten-odd days the best walking weather of the year. Save your most active itineraries for now: walk east along the wall from Zhonghua Gate, or spend a full day linking Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Meiling Palace and Linggu Temple. Late month (Oct 21–31): Mornings and evenings are noticeably cooler, ginkgo leaves start turning yellow, and the Xuanwu Lake chrysanthemum show opens. Days stay sunny, but it gets dark around 5:30 p.m., so plan to see the night views earlier.

Nanjing in October: osmanthus, chrysanthemum shows and the first hints of autumn

Osmanthus: most fragrant in early October

In the first few days of October in Nanjing, you often smell the fragrance before you see the trees. Osmanthus blooms in two waves: early silver osmanthus mostly flowers in early to mid-September, while late silver osmanthus peaks from late September to early October. Linggu Scenic Area on the eastern slope of Purple Mountain is a longtime favorite among locals for admiring osmanthus, home to an ancient tree known as the "King of Jinling Osmanthus." Bloom times depend heavily on the weather that year—summer 2025 was hot with little rain, so the flowers bloomed later than usual. The courtyards of the Presidential Palace and the shores of Xuanwu Lake also have plenty of osmanthus trees, making the National Day holiday a perfect time to visit.

Linggu Scenic Area is located within Purple Mountain Scenic Area, and you can buy a combo ticket to visit it along with the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Meiling Palace and the Music Stage. Admission to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum is free, but you need to book with your real name via the "Purple Mountain Scenic Area" WeChat official account. For routes to Linggu Temple and Linggu Pagoda, see our in-depth Linggu Temple guide.

Autumn flowers at Xuanwu Lake and the Liangzhou chrysanthemum show

Xuanwu Lake hosts a flower exhibition every autumn. In 2025, for example, the autumn flower show runs from September 30 to November 30, with the Liangzhou chrysanthemum show opening on October 25. So if you visit in early October, you'll see the National Day floral displays, while a late-month visit catches the opening of the chrysanthemum show. Xuanwu Lake is free to enter. Before October, the five islets stay open until 10 pm; starting in November, closing time moves up to 9 pm.

Ginkgo leaves are just starting to turn yellow; red leaves will take longer

October marks the beginning of autumn colors, not the peak. According to local media, ginkgo trees start turning yellow in late October, with the best views in early to mid-November. The city's plane trees turn golden even later, in mid-to-late November. Although Qixia Mountain's red maple events kick off around the Double Ninth Festival, most leaves on the mountain are still green in October. If you want to see the whole mountain ablaze with red, plan your trip for late November or later. Come to Nanjing in October for the crisp weather and osmanthus blossoms, not the red leaves. For tips on enjoying November's autumn colors, see Nanjing November Weather & What to Wear.

If you're torn between October and November, think of it this way: October is warmer with more sunny days, great for long walks, but it gets packed around National Day. November offers better foliage and fewer crowds, though mornings and evenings are chilly, so bring an extra layer. Choose mid-October if you want osmanthus blossoms and dislike the cold; pick mid-to-late November for plane trees and red leaves. If you just want peace and quiet and don't care about the leaves, December works too—see Nanjing December Weather & What to Wear for clothing tips.

October evenings are also perfect for visiting the Nanjing City Wall. The wall scenic area stays open until 9:30 PM. Head up at dusk to watch the sunset light up the ancient bricks, then enjoy the city lights after dark. It's neither too hot nor too cold, and a short stroll along the wall is just right. Around the Mid-Autumn Festival and Double Ninth Festival, lanterns are often displayed on the wall, and holiday evenings are less crowded than daytime.

National Day Holiday: Nanjing's busiest seven days of the year

The 2027 National Day holiday runs from October 1 to 7, a total of 7 days, with workdays on the weekends of September 26 and October 9. During these seven days, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple, Presidential Palace, and the Nanjing Museum are must-sees for travelers nationwide, and reservations for popular time slots often fill up days in advance. The Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River areas are usually packed at night.

Both the Nanjing Presidential Palace and the Nanjing Museum require real-name reservations and are closed on Mondays. During National Day, book as soon as your itinerary is set. To enter the core parking lots in the Zhongshan Scenic Area from 8:30 to 17:30 on holidays, you must reserve a day ahead via the "Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area" WeChat official account (max twice per car per month). Driving up the mountain during the holiday often means you won't get in—taking Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan or Xiamafang Station is more reliable.

There are a few ways to avoid the crowds. First, travel off-peak: come the week before the holiday or after October 8. The weather is just as nice, but with far fewer people. Second, go early: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum are quietest in the first hour or two after opening; tour groups usually arrive after 9:00. Third, save popular spots for the morning and spend the afternoon at open areas like the Nanjing City Wall, Yihe Road, or Laomendong—even when busy, you won't have to wait in line. For the night views at Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River during the holiday, it's best to go after 8:30 PM.

One more reminder: Mid-Autumn Festival in 2027 falls on September 15, with only a one-day break that doesn't connect to National Day. That means the seven-day National Day holiday will be one continuous peak travel period with no chance to shift dates, so book as early as possible. Ticket release times for the Presidential Palace and Nanjing Museum follow their official mini programs—book on release day rather than hoping for luck once you arrive in Nanjing.

Outside the holiday, October evenings are actually the most comfortable time of year to see the Qinhuai River lights. It isn't muggy and buggy like summer, nor cold enough to need a down jacket on the boat—a light jacket is plenty. If you're taking a painted pleasure boat, put your jacket on before boarding, as it's cooler on the water than on shore. For lighting times and pier details, see our Confucius Temple night tour travel guide.

Weather risks: autumn heatwaves, rain, and the first cold front

In early October, the main concern is heat. During an "autumn tiger" spell, midday temperatures hover around 30°C, making it easy to get heatstroke while climbing the steps at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or walking the city wall. Schedule outdoor activities for the morning and evening, and visit museums at noon. Typhoons are rare in Nanjing to begin with, and even rarer in October. Occasionally, the outer bands of a typhoon bring a day or two of wind and rain—if you see that in the forecast, just reschedule your outdoor plans.

In late October, watch out for the first cold front: one day you're in short sleeves, and the next a north wind has you reaching for a jacket as temperatures drop several degrees in a single day. If you can't keep up with weather news while traveling, check tomorrow's forecast every night before bed. When you see words like "temperature drop" or "strong winds," lay out long pants and a jacket so you won't be scrambling the next morning. Autumn rain isn't heavy, but if you hit a stretch of drizzle, group mostly indoor spots like Nanjing Museum and Presidential Palace into one day. Nanjing Museum's six exhibition halls easily fill half a day; the Republic of China Hall is an indoor recreation of an old street, so rain won't ruin your photos. The Six Dynasties Museum and Presidential Palace on Changjiang Road are close to each other and can be combined. For tips on planning your Nanjing Museum visit, see Is Nanjing Museum Worth Visiting?.

How to plan your October itinerary

October weather rarely disrupts your plans—the holiday does. During National Day, high-speed rail tickets from Shanghai and Hangzhou often sell out the moment they're released. If several families are traveling together, booking a private car from Shanghai to Nanjing straight to your hotel is actually much less hassle. Once in Nanjing, taxis between attractions are hard to come by due to traffic, so having a private car in Nanjing waiting at the entrance saves you time spent queuing for rides. To really understand the history of Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Presidential Palace, hire a Nanjing tour guide, who can also help arrange peak-season reservations and entry time slots. For a 2-day itinerary, see Nanjing 2-day tour, and find more ideas on the Nanjing city page.

FAQs

What to wear in Nanjing in October?

In early October, wear short sleeves or light long sleeves with a thin jacket. From mid to late October, go for long sleeves plus a hoodie or jacket. Mornings and evenings are 7–8°C cooler than daytime, so definitely pack a jacket. If a cold front hits at the end of the month, add a light sweater.

Is Nanjing crowded during National Day?

Very. The 2027 National Day holiday runs from October 1 to 7, and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Confucius Temple, and the Presidential Palace will all have long lines, with reservations fully booked well in advance. If you can avoid the peak, go the week before the holiday or after October 8—the weather is just as pleasant.

Can I see red leaves in Nanjing in October?

Not really. Ginkgo trees only start turning yellow in late October, while plane trees and the red leaves at Qixia Mountain don't change until mid-to-late November. The highlights in October are osmanthus flowers and chrysanthemum exhibitions.

How far in advance should I plan a National Day trip to Nanjing?

Book high-speed train tickets and hotels two to three weeks before the holiday. For attractions that require reservations—like the Presidential Palace, Nanjing Museum, and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum—book as soon as official slots open. If several families are traveling together, arrange a car and guide in advance to save a lot of time waiting in lines and for transport during the holiday.

Should I bring an umbrella to Nanjing in October?

A folding umbrella is enough. It rains on only about seven days on average in October, mostly showers or light rain, and the umbrella doubles as sun protection on clear days. No need for raincoats or rain boots—just wear shoes with good grip.

Is Nanjing still hot in October?

Early October can still be warm, with midday temperatures reaching around 30°C, but it cools down in the middle and late parts of the month. The average daytime high is about 22.8°C, making it one of the most comfortable months of the year.