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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A trip for the history books!
Kenny was an absolutely amazing guide. She told us about the history of Shanghai and a lot of the wonderful sights. She also was able to quickly make changes to tour arrangements on the fly due to weather. more
Jun 2025, Gabriel
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Great Shanghai visit with a very good guide
We just spent three wonderful days in this very special city.First day we were guided by Sean from China Highlights who showed us some of the most important touristic points, the TV tower, the bund, the garden.Friendly and with very good humor, he not added a lot of information but also entertained us. The following two days we were by ourselves, but Sean provided valuable insights. We walked through the French concession, exploited shikumen architecture, visited the narrow streets of Tian Anzi and later on the third days, the Shanghai museum and people’s square and took profit of the inumerous stores for some shopping .Great trip, great value.Thanks, Sean more
Jun 2025, Claudio C
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Qi from Shanghai
Qi, our private guide in Shanghai, was very good. She was very flexible to our needs, and changed a few things for us. Qi was charming and helpful and good to chat with.Also I’d like to acknowledge and recommend Vanessa from China Travel who worked with my wife to create a perfect 15 day China tour plan for us. Vanessa was very responsive and understood what we wanted. We had a private tour, and I know this can be expensive, but if you can afford it the private tour is well worth the money. more
Jun 2025, Andy B
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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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Cui Chi is still waiting for her lover.
ZJJ has amazing views, incl the Tianmen Cave and Avatar mountains. Tour guide Sara was very informative. Stories of the Chinese minorities were interesting. more
Jun 2025, LPG
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Zhangjiajie magical place!
China Highlights organized our trip to Zhangjiajie in such a perfect way so we could experience the Tianmen Mountain (the Cave, the Glass Walkway), the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Bailong Sightseeing Elevator & Tianzi Mountain Cable, Yuanjiajie) and the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Baofeng Lake, Glass Bridge, the zipline) and more. Thanks to our guide David Nearby, our trip was so amazing! He took us to all the special spots, took care of us and being so knowledgeable, gave the best experience. David Nearby thank you! more
Jun 2025, kristake67
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Amazing Zhangjiajie
The landscape was indeed breathtaking. Our guide Mrs. Lilly was Amazing in making us feel at home and educate us about the place. She was super helpful with everything. A great guide makes the real difference and she did it more
Jun 2025, M M
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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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