Weather across the three cities in October

October is one of the better months to visit — the summer humidity has mostly broken and it's not yet cold. That said, the three cities feel different:

  • Hong Kong: Still warm and sticky in early October, typically 26–30°C (79–86°F). Expect occasional showers. The air conditioning indoors is aggressive — bring a light layer for restaurants and the MTR.
  • Shenzhen: Similar to Hong Kong but slightly drier. Comfortable for walking around factories and the electronics market.
  • Shanghai: Noticeably cooler by late October, often 16–22°C (61–72°F). Some years it drops further. A light jacket is not optional — it's a requirement.

The practical upshot: pack for warm weather with one or two layers you can pull on for Shanghai evenings. You won't need a heavy coat.

The packing list

We move between cities by high-speed train, so you'll be lifting your bag on and off overhead racks. A carry-on sized bag (55L or under) is the right call. Checked luggage is manageable but adds friction at every city transition.

  • 4–5 days of lightweight, breathable clothing (merino or moisture-wicking). You can do laundry at most hotels.
  • One smart-casual outfit for the welcome dinner and any nicer restaurants in Shanghai.
  • Comfortable walking shoes. We do a lot of ground-level exploring — factory floors, markets, the Dragon's Back hike. Leave the dress shoes at home.
  • A packable rain jacket or umbrella. Brief showers are common in Hong Kong.
  • A light fleece or zip-up for Shanghai evenings and over-air-conditioned spaces.
  • Sunscreen. October sun in southern China is still strong.
  • A small daypack for carrying things during excursions (your larger bag stays at the hotel).

The outlet adapter situation

China uses Type A (flat two-pin, same as the US) and Type I (angled three-pin, same as Australia) outlets, running at 220V/50Hz. Most modern electronics — laptops, phone chargers, camera batteries — are dual-voltage and handle 220V fine. Check your charger brick for "100–240V" before you go; if it says that, you only need a physical plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

The adapter to get: a universal travel adapter that covers Type A, I, C, and G in one unit. The Ceptics or BESTEK compact models are reliable and easy to find. Avoid the ultra-cheap ones — they tend to loosen up after a few days of use and create intermittent connections.

Hotel rooms in China typically have one or two USB ports built into the bedside panel, which helps for phone charging. But bring your own adapter for laptops and anything else.

What to leave behind

  • Work laptop, if you can avoid it. The VPN situation in mainland China adds friction to anything work-related (see our connectivity guide). If you don't need it, don't bring it.
  • Excessive cash. WeChat Pay and Alipay cover almost everything; you don't need more than ¥500–¥1,000 in yuan on hand.
  • A full-size umbrella. Compact travel umbrellas are everywhere in China for ¥20–¥30 if you need one.