Month Guide
Planning a China trip in November? Get 3–12°C weather, 4 rainy days, best regions to visit & insider tips to avoid crowds.
The Short Answer
In November, China’s temperatures average 3°C to 12°C, with about 4 rainy days and a crowd level of 2/5. It’s best for wandering ancient cities, autumn foliage and trekking with minimal crowds.
Temperature
3°C - 12°C
Rain Days
4
Crowd Level
2/5
Best for
wandering ancient cities, autumn foliage and trekking with minimal crowds
Beijing & North China
Best: April-May & September-October
Xi'an & Central China
Best: March-May & September-October
Shanghai & East China
Best: March-May & September-November
Hong Kong & Macau
Best: October-December
Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang)
Best: March-May & October-November
Guilin & South China
Best: April-May & September-November
Average low and high temperatures for 10 Chinese cities in November 2026, from the same 10-year records behind the national figures. Rainy-day counts are for the wider region each city sits in.
0 to 10°C
Far fewer tourists, golden ginkgo avenues (Zhongshan Park, the Forbidden City) and the Great Wall woven through autumn colors.
Rain: about 2–3 days — the Northern China average.
Beijing’s month-by-month timing →8 to 20°C
Mild, sunny and crowd-free — the best all-round weather in China; perfect for old towns and highland lakes.
Rain: about 4–6 days — the Southwestern China average.
Yunnan’s month-by-month timing →14 to 23°C
Mild with a clear Li River and karst peaks in soft autumn haze; comfortable boat trips and bike rides.
Rain: about 4–5 days — the Southern China average.
Guilin’s month-by-month timing →8 to 17°C
Quiet streets, golden plane trees in the French Concession and pleasant Bund walks before winter.
Rain: about 4–5 days — the Eastern China average.
Shanghai’s month-by-month timing →4 to 14°C
November is one of the best months for the sea of clouds; crisp air and far fewer hikers on the granite peaks.
16 to 23°C
Mild, sunny hiking weather and autumn city festivals without the summer humidity.
Hong Kong’s month-by-month timing →8 to 20°C
Ginkgo Village peaks ~Nov 20–Dec 5 — tens of thousands of golden trees, plus Heshun ancient town and hot springs.
Rain: about 4–6 days — the Southwestern China average.
Tengchong’s month-by-month timing →0 to 10°C
Cool and calm for cycling the city wall and seeing the Terracotta Army in good light, with almost no queues.
Rain: about 2–3 days — the Northern China average.
Xi'an’s month-by-month timing →22 to 29°C
Warmest city in China — beaches and resorts for those escaping the northern cold.
Rain: about 3–4 days — the Southern Coast average.
8 to 17°C
Misty sandstone pillars and autumn colors with thin crowds; the Avatar mountains look dramatic in the haze.
| Region | Avg Temperature | Rainy Days | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern China (Beijing, Xi'an) | 0 to 10°C | 2–3 days | Crisp, cool and clear — peak ginkgo season and the Great Wall in autumn colors; first cold snaps late month. |
| Eastern China (Shanghai, Hangzhou) | 8 to 17°C | 4–5 days | Cooling and a little damp; golden plane-tree avenues and comfortable city walks. |
| Southern China (Guangzhou, Guilin) | 14 to 24°C | 4–5 days | Mild and pleasant — one of the best months; little rain and plenty of sun. |
| Southwestern China (Yunnan, Sichuan) | 8 to 20°C | 4–6 days | Yunnan is sunny and mild (Kunming 10–20°C) — the top winter escape; Sichuan cools quickly. |
| Northwestern China (Xinjiang, Dunhuang) | -5 to 9°C | 1–2 days | Cold, dry and sunny; very few tourists as winter sets in. |
| Northeastern China (Harbin, Changchun) | -10 to 3°C | 2–3 days | Early winter; first snowfall around mid-November and Yabuli ski resort opens ~Nov 20–25. Harbin is calm before the Ice Festival. |
| Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (Lhasa, Everest) | 0 to 12°C (day) | 1–2 days | Sunny, dry and clear with cold nights; off-season airfare discounts. |
| Inner Mongolia (Hulunbuir) | -12 to 0°C | 1–2 days | Freezing; early-winter grasslands and the start of snow-nomad culture. |
| Southern Coast (Sanya, Xiamen) | 22 to 29°C | 3–4 days | Still warm and tropical — beach weather and the antidote to the cold north. |
Interactive tools to compare November against other months, scan regional weather at a glance, and check flight & hotel costs before you book.
Interactive China Map
Hover or tap a region to see the best time to visit.
Round-Trip Flights: US to Beijing (avg. USD)
Source: Aggregated Google Flights data, US departure cities.
4-Star Hotels: Price Index by Season (% of peak)
Off-Peak: Hotels run 40-50% off rack rates. Highly negotiable. *Excludes Chinese New Year.
Shoulder: Good availability, standard rates. Book 2-4 weeks ahead.
Peak: Full price, high demand. Book 1-2 months ahead for popular cities.
Compare Side by Side
Pick two to compare and we’ll help you decide.
November
October
Quick Take
November: Cold but dry. The Great Wall with zero crowds. Flights under $800. If you can handle a coat, this is the hidden gem.
October: The best weather of the year, ruined by Golden Week (Oct 1-7). Come after the 8th for the single best travel window in China.
Is November Worth Visiting?
November is one of the smartest months to visit China. The October crowds are gone (crowd level just 2/5), prices drop, and the weather splits beautifully: crisp, clear, golden-autumn days in the north (perfect for the Great Wall and Beijing's ginkgo) and warm, sunny, near-rainless days in the south (Yunnan, Guilin, Hong Kong, Sanya). The only catch is the cold creeping into the north and northeast — pack real winter layers if you head that way. If you want value, solitude and still-great scenery over peak-season buzz, November beats October for a lot of travelers.
Highlights
Watch Out For
What to Pack
A warm coat, sweater, scarf and gloves for the cold north (Beijing 0–10°C, Harbin already below freezing), but only light layers and a light jacket for the mild south (Yunnan, Guilin, Sanya). Pack in layers — day-to-night swings of 10–15°C are common.
North & Northeast China (Beijing, Xi'an, Harbin)
Eastern China (Shanghai, Hangzhou)
South China (Yunnan, Guangzhou, Guilin)
Hainan (Sanya)
Plateau (Tibet / Lhasa)
Budget Travel
$45/day
Mid-Range
$140/day
Flights
Book 2-4 weeks ahead; excellent deals everywhere
Trains
High-speed rail available year-round; book 1-2 weeks ahead
Local Transport
Beijing subway; Yunnan buses; Guilin river boats
Price Range:
$25 – $150/night
Best Areas to Stay
Beijing hotpot for warmth
Yunnan wild mushroom dishes
Guilin rice noodles
Xi'an lamb skewers
Family Travel
Solo Travel
Yes. It is low season — few crowds, lower prices and good weather: clear and cool in the north, warm and sunny in the south. Pack for cold in the north and you get a calmer, cheaper trip than October.
It varies a lot by latitude: Harbin -10 to 3°C, Beijing 0–10°C, Shanghai 8–17°C, Guangzhou 14–24°C and Sanya 22–29°C. Always check your specific destinations.
A warm coat, sweater, scarf and gloves for the north; light layers and a light jacket for the south. Day-to-night swings of 10–15°C are common, so dress in layers.
No — it is the quietest month (2/5) after National Day, with no major holidays in November. Landmarks are calm and queues are short.
The south and highlands shine: Yunnan, Guilin, Hong Kong and Sanya for warmth; Beijing, Xi'an and Huangshan for crisp, clear autumn sightseeing with few crowds.
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