Guangzhou Weather in October: Suitable for Outdoor Activities

In October, you could expect more comfortable weather in Guangzhou. Although daytime temperatures still hover around 30°C (86°F), evenings cool down to a comfortable 25°C (77°F). After mid-October, temperatures drop another 2–3°C, making it even more pleasant. Rainfall also decreases significantly, with only about 3–5 days of brief showers that won't affect your itinerary at all.

However, October has the National Day holiday (Oct 1–7) and the Autumn Canton Fair (Oct 15–Nov 5), which bring large crowds to the city, and hotel prices rise sharply by 50–100%.

What's It Like Visiting Guangzhou during the National Day Holiday and Canton Fair?

Crowds, higher prices, and diversity are the keywords for traveling during National Day holiday and Canton Fair.

During the National Day, major attractions, train stations, subways, and buses become very crowded. Popular scenic spots often have wait times of 1–2 hours, and the massive crowds can seriously affect your travel experience.

If possible, I recommend visiting after the National Day holiday. The period from October 8 to 15 is a great window. It avoids both the National Day crowds and the upcoming Canton Fair.

If your trip happens to fall during National Day, I suggest you visit attractions either right when they open (most open around 8:00 AM) or just before closing (around 6:00 PM). If VIP tickets are available, go ahead and get them. For some popular sites, you can also opt for alternative ways to enjoy them, for example, taking a cruise to see the Canton Tower instead of waiting two hours in line to go up.

For the Canton Fair, most visitors are here for the exhibition itself. Apart from weekends when attractions get crowded, the impact on weekdays is quite minimal.

5 Activities You Should Try in Guangzhou for October

Due to the National Day holiday and the Canton Fair, October is the busiest month in Guangzhou. To help you visit the core attractions while still enjoying a better travel experience, we recommend the following activities. These will allow you to experience the charm of Guangzhou from more diverse perspectives.

1. Climb Up Baiyun Mountain in Guangzhou and Watch a Romantic Sunset

Baiyun Mountain sunset

October's weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Located in downtown Guangzhou, Baiyun Mountain is a great spot for outdoor activities, panoramic city views, and sunset watching. Moxingling Peak, at 382 meters, is the highest point on the mountain.

Baiyun Mountain has three main entrances: the South Gate, North Gate, and West Gate. If you're visiting with children or elderly family members, I recommend entering through the South Gate, climbing up the summit or taking cable car, and then returning the same way.

The South Gate offers a cable car to save energy, and the walking trail is gentle with fewer steps. This route also passes by Baiyun Mountain's key attractions, such as Yuntai Flower Garden and Mingchun Valley (watching birds).
The North Gate route involves climbing over 800 steps with steeper slopes, requiring more physical effort and taking about 2 hours.
The West Gate is not recommended, as there are fewer scenic spots along the way.

2. Explore Old Guangzhou (Xiguan) on a City Walk and Savor Authentic Cantonese Cuisine

Xiguan Food Tour, Guangzhou

Tasting authentic Cantonese food is one of the main reasons many visitors come to Guangzhou. To truly experience it, I highly recommend a city walk through Xiguan, the historic heart of old Guangzhou.

Here, you won't find skyscrapers, instead, you'll see elderly women preparing vegetables under the arcades, and seniors gathering in small squares for morning exercises or playing chess. You'll also encounter century-old shops where you can taste the most genuine Cantonese flavors, from Michelin-recommended rice noodle roll to baked rice cake.

My favorite route is to explore along Enning Road and wander into the alleyways of Yongqing Fang. When you get tired around midday, you can settle into an old shop and order a bowl of wonton noodles, watching the master's technique with the bamboo pole. It is more captivating than a performance.

A Xiguan city walk doesn't have a fixed route. You can discover different local specialties in the many alleys. If you don't want to do the research yourself, consider exploring with our local guide on a Xiguan food tour. Our guide will take you to the most authentic food spots in Guangzhou.

3. Overlook the Canton Tower from Haixinsha Island and Enjoy a Breathtaking Sunflower Sea

Haixinsha Flowers and Canton Tower

As one of Guangzhou's most iconic landmarks, the Canton Tower is a must-visit for first-time travelers, and also one of the most crowded. Queuing to go up the tower often takes 1–2 hours. But what if you want that classic shot with the tower without being squeezed into a sea of people? Haixinsha Park is your secret garden.

Here, you don't have to crane your neck at the base. Instead, you get the perfect distance. Standing on the island's Asian Games Opening Ceremony venue, the skyline unfolds before you like a scroll: the Canton Tower stands gracefully in the center, flanked by the East and West Towers, with the Pearl River quietly flowing at your feet.

Additionally, Haixinsha Island is planted with large areas of sunflowers. Around mid-October, they enter their blooming season, which lasts about a month. This is the perfect time to capture stunning photos of the sea of flowers alongside iconic city landmarks like the Canton Tower.

Come in the late afternoon (around 6:00 PM), when the setting sun bathes the tower in gold. Then, second by second, watch as its lights begin to glow, like a slowly igniting neon pillar.

4. Take a Pearl River Night Cruise and Witness Guangzhou's Stunning Cityscape

Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise

After capturing the perfect shot of the Canton Tower at Haixinsha, you can board a Pearl River cruise from the nearby Haixinsha Pier and glide along the river. Seated on the top deck in a VIP seat, sipping coffee while taking in the night view, it's an incredibly relaxing experience.

The cruise lasts about one and a half hour. I recommend boarding around 7:00 PM, just after sunset. You'll witness the magical moment when the entire city lights up before your eyes.

Tickets can be booked via the WeChat mini-program "Pearl River Night Cruise." During National Day or the Canton Fair, it's best to book at least two weeks in advance to secure your spot.

5. Explore the Kung Fu City of Foshan: Learn Wing Chun and Visit a Local Weekend Market in a Day Trip

Learn Wing Chun in Foshan

Sanzhou Market, Foshan

Foshan is right next to Guangzhou, just a one-hour drive away. It's the birthplace of Chinese Kung Fu and the hometown of the legendary grandmaster Ip Man (Bruce Lee's teacher). It is a good place to experience the charm of Kung Fu.

Additionally, Foshan is home to south China's largest Sunday market. Here, you'll understand the saying, "Cantonese people will eat anything except a table with four legs." It's a completely different market experience from what you'd find in your own country.

Since the weekend market is liveliest in the morning, I recommend starting your day there. In the afternoon, you can visit Ip Man's former residence and then take a Wing Chun class.

The market typically opens on Sunday mornings. Crowds begin to build after 8:00 AM and peak around 10:00 AM. With about 500 open-air stalls lining the streets, the market is vast and filled with all kinds of goods (many of them you never seen before). Exploring it thoroughly could take over two hours.

After lunch and a short break, you'll head to Ip Man's former residence to learn about the life of this martial arts master and his connection with Bruce Lee. Then, accompanied by our guide, you'll go to a local Wing Chun school for a training session. Our instructor is a master with many years of martial arts experience and also an admirer of Bruce Lee. Under his guidance, you'll learn some basic techniques and self-defense skills.

Since the Wing Chun class requires advance preparation and booking, if you're interested in learning Kung Fu, please contact us in advance to arrange it.

What to Wear in Guangzhou in October

October dressing shifts noticeably across the month.

In early October (1st–20th): It is still warm. Light trousers, short sleeves, and a pair of compact shoes. The occasional warm day (28–30°C) still calls for summer fabrics.
Late October (after 20th): The Golden Window weather peak. Light layers, a long-sleeve shirt or thin cardigan for evenings. Days are warm and pleasant; nights cool to around 24°C.

Traveling to Guangzhou in October with China Highlights

Planning a trip in October? Tell us your dates and we'll help you work around the Golden Week and Canton Fair calendar, or find ways to make them work for you. Contact us; all our tours are fully customizable.

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