Kunming Weather in October

October weather in Kunming

October is a pleasant month in Kunming, and it scores well for comfort. Afternoons are mild, evenings are cooler, and the high reaches 23°C with a low of 12°C. Rain falls on 12 days, though it's much less wet than September. Expect cloudy spells, so don't plan on clear skies every day. If your dates are flexible, February to May and November are even better, and November is a drier, similar-feeling alternative to October.

October suits plenty of outdoor plans. You can walk around Green Lake Park, wander the old streets near the East and West Pagodas, or take a day trip to the Stone Forest. Showers can interrupt longer outings, and clouds may soften the views, so keep some time free for indoor stops like the Yunnan Provincial Museum.

Holidays and crowds

China's National Day holiday, known as Golden Week, runs from October 1 to 7. Kunming gets busier then, especially at popular sights and transport hubs, as people travel around the country. Hotels and transport can cost more than they do in quieter parts of the month.

If crowds bother you, avoid Golden Week and visit later in October. Outside the holiday, the city is generally calmer than during peak travel periods. The Mid-Autumn Festival sometimes falls in October too, though its date changes each year.

Food, families and the Stone Forest

Travelling with kids? Green Lake is an easy place to stretch your legs between sights, with paths and open space to run around in.

For a local food break, try crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, a Yunnan speciality served with broth and separate ingredients. At the Stone Forest, give yourself time to follow the paths through the limestone formations instead of treating it as a quick photo stop. October's mild weather suits all that walking, but rain can make the stone paths slippery, so take extra care after a shower.