Month guide · Beijing · China
Beijing in November
What November is really like in Beijing: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pixelflake, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
November is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 9.9 hours of daylight. Cold mornings and clear days; central heating comes on mid-month and autumn colour lingers early on.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in November
November is the 9th-warmest month in Beijing: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 30 days. Compared with October (19°C (66°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 07:00
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:59
- Daylight
- About 9.9 hours
Autumn (September–November). Beijing's best season: clear, crisp and colourful, especially in the Fragrant Hills, apart from the Golden Week crush.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Beijing Marathon (usually late October or early November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Waterfront · Shichahai and Houhai
Shichahai lakes and hutongs
Agree the price and route of any rickshaw tour in writing before you set off, or simply walk the lanes yourself.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Historic site · Gulou and Nanluoguxiang
Drum and Bell Towers
At the northern end of the old city's central axis, the red Drum Tower and grey Bell Tower once marked time for the capital.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Street · Gulou and Nanluoguxiang
Nanluoguxiang
Use Nanluoguxiang as a starting point and spend most of your time in the side hutongs to the east and west.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- History
Palace · Shichahai and Houhai
Prince Gong Mansion
The largest surviving Qing princely mansion, near Houhai, combines courtyards, a garden of rockeries and ponds, and a restored Peking opera theatre.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 0°C and 3 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is November a good time to visit Beijing?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Beijing in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is November a good time to visit Beijing?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Cold mornings and clear days; central heating comes on mid-month and autumn colour lingers early on.
+How warm is Beijing in November?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Beijing in November?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.