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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I would definitely recommend visiting ZhuJiaJiao Water town
Did a day trip to ZhuJiaJiao water village..it was a great experience..went on a boat ride through the canals and did some shopping..also had some great local fare…our guide Helen was very knowledgeable and helpful.. more
Jan 2025, Kevin F
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Amazing Shanghai
This is an amazing tour in an amazing city. Martin (our guide) went over and beyond to organize everything that we needed and required. He made it very flexible for us to select the right restaurants, even made sure we were seated in the right seats in the bullet train, just wow. He was very knowledgeable and spoke a lot about the things from a Chinese pov, and how to better understand it. I would always highly recommend China Highlights and Martin. Thanks more
Jan 2025, talal1974
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Highlights of Shanghai
We had an amazing time with Wini walking the streets of Shanghai and learning about the remarkable history and architecture of this great city. We got to eat delicious food and see many different sights and locations, including the 118th floor of the Shanghai Tower. Highly recommend to everyone! more
Jan 2025, Jason C
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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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No crowds, breathtaking scenery in winter low season
We arrived at Zhangjiajie High Speed Rail station on Jan 2nd and were met by our local guide Bree (dressed in traditional Miao ethnic minority costume !) and our driver Mr Wu. This "no queuing" experience became a recurring feature on our next few days and is very satisfying (and time-saving), as long as you don't mind the colder temperatures in January ! We want to give special thanks to our guide, Bree, who organized everything for us so efficiently and accommodated us with our last minute requests such as wanting to see the cultural show and the 72 Wonder Tower. She is very knowledgeable about the area and culture and we learned many fascinating facts from her during the hikes and in the mini-van as we went from location to location. One of our party had sprained her ankle during the hike in the Grand Canyon and had some discomfort in walking. This would have been an issue on the last day as there was still so much to see on Tianmen Mountain and we had a train to catch that afternoon. Bree was not flustered by this and had worked out an alternative, less strenuous route for the injured party to meet up with the rest of us along the way. Luckily, we did not need to use this in the end. We were willing to forego lunch to make up for lost time due to the slower pace but Bree timed everything well. We managed to see everything that was planned on our schedule and still had time for a full lunch before we headed to the train station. We also want to give a shout-out to the driver Mr Wu too, for his pleasant disposition and patience in waiting for us all day as we went sightseeing. He kept us hydrated with bottled water in the mini-van and provided snacks and fruits. He even brought us his own home-grown organic oranges which tasted very sweet. Thank you ! We have had such a great experience travelling with China Highlights that we have already planned our third trip with them, this time going to Jiu Zhai Gou later this year. more
Jan 2025, Damian C
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A unique and fantastic three days, discovering China's limestone country
What a fantastic experience. We spent three days in the company of Abbie, our amazing guide. Being in our late 70's Abbie looked after us as if we were her own parents! Always getting us to the front of queues. Finding interesting local eateries. The sights we saw were stunning, the steps we climbed were many. I can thoroughly recommend the Zhangjiajie tour, a unique part of the world, it has to be seen to be believed. more
Jan 2025, GrandTour24467632574
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Could not recommend more!
My family and I are currently traveling around China with China Highlights and it has been amazing. All the cars have been excellent, very comfortable, spacious and new. Lily, our guide in Zhangjiajie, was exceptional. Incredibly kind, attentive to our needs, and always with a smile. She always had snacks for us, was warm and joyous, and very knowledgeable. Of all the guides we have used across our travels, she may be one of the best. Highly recommend China Highlights and if you’re considering a visit to Zhangjiajie, Lily will make your trip very memorable. more
Dec 2024, Ana B
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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
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