In April, spring is in the air in most of China. The weather is cool to warm and agreeable for traveling across most of the country.
April is the best time to appreciate beautiful and refreshing floral scenery. It's also a good time to do outdoor activities.
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- April Weather Conditions
- Weather in North China
- Weather in East China
- Weather in South China
- Weather in West China
- Top 5 Places to Visit in April
- Crowds and Costs
China Weather in April: Overview
- Average daily temperature range: 9–20°C (48–68°F)
- Average rainfall: 70 mm (3 in)
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average sunny days: 25
Weather in North China (Beijing, Xi'an...)
In North China, the weather is warm during the day but chilly at night. There is not much rainfall in April so it's a great time for hiking and other outdoor activities.
In Beijing, the average temperature range is 8–20°C (46–68°F) and there are typically 4 days of rain amounting to a semi-arid 22 mm (1 in) in April. Xi'an has similar weather to Beijing.
As the weather warms up the natural scenery turns green. It's a good time to visit the Great Wall around Beijing.
Clothing: Wear light trousers, T-shirts, light sweaters, and a jacket, with a warmer coat for the evenings.
Weather in East China (Shanghai, Hangzhou...)
The weather is changeable in East China. It can be cool and damp, but it can be warm and sunny too.
Take Shanghai as an example — the average temperature range is 11–19 °C (52 –66°F) and there are typically 15 days of rain totaling a moderate 97 mm (4 in) in April. It can reach up to 30°C (86°F) in late April.
Clothing: Wear T-shirts, light trousers, and a sweater in the daytime. Wear layers and waterproofs for mountainous areas and in the evenings.
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Another excellent guide: Martin (0804)
Martin our guide on this segment of our trip was just a good as the other 2. Patient, attentive and flexible. The places we visited were interesting and he even accommodated us to go eat xialongbao. He had us discover other food. We enjoyed his knowledge and all he had to offer above and beyond his duty, including helping us with navigating the subway for the next day when he was no longer taking care of us. I also highly recommend Martin (0804). more
Mar 2025, Curiosity247757
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Great day in Shanghai with Mulan
Mulan was a fantastic guide. We learned a lot from her and she personalized the tour as she spoke with us. She took extra special care of us making it a wonderful experience. We highly recommend her for your Shanghai visit more
Mar 2025, susangendron60
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Shanghai guided tour
We loved our two day tour of Shanghai, which is just the start of our two week holiday in China. Our guide Qi was full of knowledge and enthusiasm. She was very helpful in explaining history and local customs. We tried many different foods (actually we ate a lot!). Highlights for us were the views from Shanghai Tower, breakfast at the local market and the visits to Old Town and Zhujiajiao ancient water town. more
Mar 2025, Megan H
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Weather in South China (Guilin, Hong Kong...)
South China is already quite warm in April, making it a good time for spring travel. It can be quite hot in late April, so take light clothes.
Guilin can still be quite cool following the frequent rainfall in April. The average temperature range is 17–24°C (63–75°F) and there are, on average, 22 days of rain with a high total of 248 mm (10 in).
The Pearl River Delta (Hong Kong, Foshan, Chaozhou, Shantou, etc.) will be much warmer.
South China areas will have frequent showers/drizzle. On the plus side, the rain brings fresh air and magical misty scenery.
Clothing: Wear shorts, T-shirts, light sweaters, and trousers in the evenings, and take some light rain gear.
Weather in West China (Chengdu, Tibet, Yunnan...)
In April, West China experiences a transition from the coolness of spring to the warmth of early summer. However, occasional spring showers may occur, accompanied by gusty winds.
Tibet and Yunnan are usually sunny in April, apart from in the mountains. There will be rainfall in the afternoons, but not in a large quantity. The temperatures drop on rainy days.
The average temperature in Chengdu is 13–22°C (55–72°F) and there are typically 20 days of rain, bringing a low rainfall of 47 mm (2 in) in April.
Top 5 Places to Visit in China in April
April is a pleasant time for traveling to outdoorsy destinations, appreciating flowers, and hiking.
1. Guilin
Traveling to Guilin in April, you would see the poetic imagery of the Li River, where misty rain hangs over the landscape, creating a tranquil and ethereal ambiance.
Nearby Yangshuo County is best for various outdoor activities, such as rock climbing and ATV driving. You could also watch spring plowing.
April is also a good time to experience the Zhuang Minority Folk Song Festival. Men and women divide into gender teams and they sing alternately in an antiphonal style.
All of our itineraries can be personalized for you and your family's travel goals, available travel days and dates, and other requirements. Just contact us.
2. The Yellow Mountains
In April, the Yellow Mountains come alive with vibrant blossoms, cherry and peach trees in full bloom, and lush greenery. The cool weather is also good for hiking.
Immerse yourself in the surreal experience of witnessing the sunrise or sunset from the mountain peaks, as the sea of clouds gently rolls beneath you.
The villages of the mountains are beautiful, with canola flowers blooming in April. There, you could get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Take a stroll through the flower fields, feel the freshness of the air mixed with floral scents, and try some traditional crafts, such as learning to make a fish-shaped lantern with an experienced local craftsman.
3. Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is cool and beautiful for traveling around in April. Spring brings vibrant colors and refreshing greenery to the awe-inspiring towering sandstone pillars, lush forests, and serene valleys.
There will be misty and foggy scenery to enjoy at the pillars and peaks, especially on rainy days. The mountain mist adds a unique charm to the scenery.
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Потрясающая поездка в Джанцзяцзе!
Великолепный тур, великолепные горы, великолепный гид Abbie! Ездили с женой и семейной парой друзей. Первый раз в Китае. Когда собирались, гадали, что нас ждёт, но реальность оказалась выше всяких ожиданий. Инфраструктура на высшем уровне, организация туризма вызывает уважение. Как быстро тут справляются с гигантскими очередями - фантастика. Да, людей и очередей много, всё-таки сезон, но, опять же, за счёт организации потоков туристов, этого чаще всего просто не замечаешь. Виды - просто бомба! Это невероятно красиво! Везде, куда ни глянь. Одно дело смотреть фильм, другое - увидеть это всё вживую. Рекомендую Джанцзяцзе однозначно тем, кто любит природу, потрясающие виды, горы и классную атмосферу. Отдельное спасибо гиду Эбби. Всё рассказывает, при этом как-то ничего лишнего, всё по делу, и очень интересно. Ответила на все наши вопросы. Учла все наши пожелания в течение каждого дня. Как-то умудрялась провести нас 'тайными' тропам на некоторых маршрутам, чтоб было меньше туристов и лучше виды. Подарила нам приятные памятные подарки. Мне вообще принесла из дома китайских монеток (я коллекционирую, но тут нигде не найти). Очень обходительная и внимательная, и мне лично это очень непривычно после всех других гидов в других местах. Она даже запомнила в первый день предпочтения по кофе, у всех разные, и утром откуда-то нам его доставала заранее. Очень приятные впечатления, но мне иногда было жалко её, что так с нами возится :( Гиду 10 с плюсом по пятибальной шкале однозначно. В общем, писать могу ещё очень много, но, наверное, закончу тем, что всё было просто супер! Спасибо! more
Apr 2025, Jet14381815695
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Natural wonders
What a beautiful area Zhangjiajie is! Our guide Anna was very thoughtful and took the time to show us her favourite places away from the crowds. We loved the views and walking trails in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and the wonderful Tianmen Mountain. Make sure you include this place in your China holiday. We highly recommend China Highlights - they will tailor make an itinerary based on your interests and will take really good care of you. more
Mar 2025, magen
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Magical and Unforgettable Trip
Floating mountains and misty valleys made for an unforgettable trip. Our tour guide's #davidnearby knowledge of the area was impressive, enhancing every view. The whole experience was smooth and seamless, from start to finish. We were able to truly relax and soak in the beauty of nature, thanks to the excellent planning. Highly recommend this destination and this type of guided tour for a magical getaway. #chinahighlights #davidnearby more
Mar 2025, henthen k
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4. Tibet
Tibet is quiet and beautiful in April. You would see a beautiful scene of peach blossoms and snowcapped mountains meeting in Nyingchi in April.
Tibet in April not only offers stunning scenery but also provides a quiet environment when tourists have not yet flooded in.
Visit the Potala Palace, experience the lifestyle and the spiritual world of local Tibetans with a walk along Barkhor Street, and visit a local family to experience their lifestyle on a plateau pasture.
5. Yunnan
The sunny weather in Yunnan in April makes it an opportune time to do outdoor activities, such as biking and hiking, as spring arrives just before the rainy season.
The rape flowers in bloom in Luoping also make it the best time to appreciate the hills, terraces, and fields.
Slow down your pace to take a stroll in the ancient town, ride alongside Erhai Lake to feel the breeze, and explore a minority village to learn about the only living (still in use) hieroglyphics in the world — the Dongba symbols.
Crowds and Costs in April
April could be a good time for travel if you are looking for a less-crowded environment and reasonable tourism expenses.
While it marks the beginning of the peak season, April still sees fewer tourists compared to May and the upcoming summer vacation period.
As May approaches, airfares and hotel prices tend to rise significantly due to the Golden Week (Labor Day) holiday in the first week of May, prompting many travelers to begin their journeys at the end of April.
To avoid excessive price surges, it is advisable to plan your trip for early or mid-April. By doing so, you could enjoy a more relaxed experience and potentially save on travel expenses.
If you want to arrange a private tour, simply contact us. You'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to 3 weeks before departure. (See more details.)
Tour China with Us
All of our itineraries can be personalized for you and your family's travel goals, available travel days and dates, and other requirements. Just contact us.
- Land of Pandas — 2-Week Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai Tour
- Chinese Language and Culture Immersion Tour — 2-Week Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Shanghai Tour
- China's Golden Triangle — 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Tour