Xinjiang Weather in October

In Short: cool or cold temperature, and low rainfall and snowfall 
 Southern Xinjiang enjoys very pleasant daytime temperature in October, typically ranging between 20-25 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit). It may dip slightly toward the month’s end, but generally doesn’t fall below 15°C (59°F). Be aware of the significant temperature swings between day and night, usually around 10°C (18°F) but sometimes reaching 15°C (27°F) or more. 

In most areas of northern Xinjiang, such as Ili and Urumqi, daytime temperature during the first half of the month is pleasantly cool, hovering around 20°C (68°F). By the end of the month, it may drop to approximately 10°C (50°F), and you may feel a bit chilly. Nighttime temperature declines from around 10°C (50°F) at the beginning of the month to near freezing or below by the month’s end. Higher-altitude regions like Altay experience even lower temperature with greater fluctuations: Within the month, daytime highs here drop from around 20°C (68°F) to 10-15°C (50-59°F), then to about 5°C (41°F). Nighttime lows frequently dip below freezing, especially in the second half month. As a contrast, Turpan in October presents a completely different picture and is comfortably warm: daytime temperature is around 20-25°C (68-77°F), while nighttime temperature stays at 10-15°C (50-59°F). 
The plains in southern Xinjiang see a little precipitation, with only occasional showers. In some years, there may be no rainfall throughout the entire month. Mountainous areas have slightly higher precipitation levels and a greater chance of rain. And due to lower temperature, snowfall is possible. Rain and snow here are both generally light and rarely impact travel.

Northern Xinjiang’s plain areas have relatively low precipitation, too, though a bit higher than the south. These areas may experience rain, sleet, or snow, but all are small most of the time. Mountainous regions, however, primarily see snowfall. And it’s worth mentioning that these areas, like Altay and the Tian Shan Mountains, may encounter heavy snow, potentially leading to road closures due to slippery or icy conditions. For instance, the Duku Highway typically closes in mid-to-late October.
 In October, the daylight time of Xinjiang is about 11 hours. So, you may need to get up early and make full use of the daytime. Note that sunrise and sunset times seem to be late at around 08:00-09:00 and 19:00-20:30, respectively, because Xinjiang, located in the UTC+6 time zone, uses UTC+8 time. Sunshine duration is about 7-8 hours on average per day. 

 

 For northern Xinjiang, early October is an excellent time to visit. Beyond the relatively mild weather, this period offers stunning autumn scenery. Whether you head to Altay or Kanas, you can witness vast expanses of autumn foliage. Alternatively, the autumn beauty of Sayram Lake, with its snow-capped mountains, blue waters, and golden grasslands, is equally captivating. By late October, most autumn leaves have fallen, and the weather turns noticeably colder. Areas like Hemu Village do receive snowfall, but it doesn’t accumulate yet. Consequently, the scenery in northern Xinjiang may not be very spectacular during this period. However, both early and late October remain ideal times to visit Turpan.

For southern Xinjiang, with pleasant temperature and clear skies in the entire month, both exploring the Kashgar Old Town and venturing the Pamir Plateau to admire natural landscapes are highly recommended. Additionally, a highlight of southern Xinjiang this month is the golden poplar forests, which reach their peak viewing period starting mid-October and draw large numbers of visitors.