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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Shanghai shenanigans
Molly was an awesome guide in Shanghai! She recognized my daughter’s love of cos play and actively photographed her, took us to a manga/anime mall and helped us buy tickets to Chinese Conic-con! We were introduced to the magic of Shanghai from the highest tower to the relaxing Long Bar on the Bund. more
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Family visit to Shanghai
Our family had a great time with Qi in Shanghai. Even though, we only had one day with her before we embarked on the next part of our trip in China, she made quite the impact. She is enthusiastic, cosmopolitan, and shows a genuine interest in her guests. She saw that our hotel was right near some great street food and added a stop here so that we could experienced some delicious food. My kids loved this and she was their favorite guide of our whole trip. Wish we spent more time in Shanghai with a guide - definitely next time! :) more
Jul 2025, Keptium
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Shangai visit with an amazing guide
I had the absolute pleasure of exploring Shanghai with Winni as my guide, and I can honestly say she made the experience unforgettable. She has such a deep understanding of the city — not just its rich history and traditions, but also how it has transformed into the vibrant, modern place it is today. What really stood out to me is how well she knows the city. As a local, she took me to hidden spots that I never would’ve found on my own — places that really capture the spirit of Shanghai. And she explained the best ways to get around, which made everything so much easier and more enjoyable. Her knowledge of the city’s architecture, art, and cultural landmarks is amazing. She explained everything with so much clarity and passion, always taking her time and never rushing. I felt completely comfortable asking any question, no matter how big or small — and she always answered with patience and insight. Winni’s attitude made the whole experience even better. She was kind, upbeat, and always smiling, which made me feel at ease and genuinely excited to learn more. It felt more like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend than being on a tour. And for anyone who loves shopping — Winni knows all the best places to find high-quality items at great prices. Thanks to her, I came home with some real treasures! I can’t recommend Winni enough. She made my visit to Shanghai something truly special, and I’m so grateful for her guidance and warmth. more
Jul 2025, Oscaresan
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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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Great Zhangjiajie Tour with Eileen — Flexible and Stress-Free
We just finished a 3-day Zhangjiajie tour with China Highlights and our excellent guide, Eileen. Overnight, half of our family got sick, but Eileen was flexible and adjusted the plans perfectly. On day one, 3 out of 5 of us still enjoyed the Avatar Mountains. The next day, 2 went back to the Avatar area while the others explored Golden Whip Stream — and we all did the Glass Bridge together, which was lots of fun. On our last day, we visited Tianmen Mountain and the Gate to Heaven. Despite the crowds, we barely had to wait, which we really appreciated. The Zhangjiajie underground market at the end was an unexpected highlight. Thank you, Eileen and China Highlights, for making this trip smooth and really memorable for our family. more
Jul 2025, Cyrill R
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Fairytale landscape in Zhangjiajie
Our trip to China revealed fairytale-like landscapes, thanks also to the kindness and availability of Wendi, who guided us from Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie. Even though the weather wasn’t always on our side, Wendi made sure we fully appreciated these enchanting places.Thank you, Wendi, for making this part of our journey so special! more
Jul 2025, Ezio C
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Excellent experience with a caring guide
We loved all the sites we visited! From Tianmen Mountain to Avatar Mountain and everything else, the views were spectacular at every turn. Our experience was so much better because of the personalized care we got from our guide, Alan. He went out of his way every time to make sure things were smooth for us. He took care of getting us our tickets and made sure we understood where to go and what to do. He translated for us at restaurants checked us in at our hotels. He explained options and made sure we were ok with changes that came up. He even walked us all the way to our seats in the train when it was time to leave. Excellent customer service! We REALLY appreciated the little gift he had for us at the end. more
Jul 2025, Nick I
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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.)
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