April is considered a low-travel season in China, but it also happens to be the start of the flower season. Wherever you go, you'll find spring blossoms in full bloom.
With most cities enjoying mild, sunny weather, April is actually one of the most pleasant times to visit China—fewer crowds, easier bookings, and a much more relaxed travel experience.
If you'd like tips on where to go in April or want a clearer idea of what the weather is like across different regions, just keep reading.
What's the Weather Like in China in April?
By April, most cities across China have fully entered spring, with the exception of some high-altitude or mountainous areas that can still feel a bit chilly.
The temperature gap between the north and south also becomes smaller, making the overall climate more comfortable for travel.
Rain usually isn't a major concern for April trips. Northern China stays mostly dry throughout the month.
In the south, you may experience occasional light rain or overcast days, but these rarely affect sightseeing or outdoor plans.
Top 7 Places to Visit in China in April
In April, spring is in the air across most of China, with cool to warm temperatures that make traveling very comfortable.
For classic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an, the season doesn't dramatically change the scenery, but the mild temperatures make sightseeing much more enjoyable. The whole city feels more vibrant and alive as spring arrives.
For natural destinations such as Zhangjiajie, Guilin, and Yunnan, spring brings everything back to life—lush forests, brighter and more stunning landscapes, and rivers and countryside that are especially picturesque.
Beyond these well-known scenic spots, April also offers some seasonal highlights that can only be seen at this time of year, making the spring bloom even more magical.
1. Wuyuan & Huangshan
In April, the most iconic sights in Wuyuan and Huangshan are the blooming rapeseed fields. This is the peak season, when the countryside is transformed into a golden sea of flowers.
HuangshanThe flowering periods in Wuyuan and Huangshan are quite similar. Visiting before April 15 is ideal.
You can see vast expanses of blooming rapeseed in both places. Wuyuan's fields are more extensive and widely renowned, while Huangshan offers more diverse scenery, combining the golden flowers with majestic mountains.
Wuyuan is actually quite close to Huangshan—about a one-hour drive—making it easy to visit both in the same trip. On our 9-Day Huangshan, Wuyuan, Suzhou, and Shanghai Spring Tour, you can enjoy the best of both destinations as their spring blossoms burst into full color.
Wuyuan2. Guizhou
One of the biggest highlights in Guizhou in April is the azalea fields near Bijie—the largest natural azalea sea in the world. The flowers bloom at different altitudes, creating a breathtaking "Seven-Color Sky Staircase" effect.
Azalea fields near BijieBeyond the flower fields, you can also explore some of Guizhou's classic attractions, such as Huangguoshu Waterfall, Qianhu Miao Village, and Fanjing Mountain.
For a more adventurous experience, you can camp in a cave, stay in a vaulted masterpiece of the karst landscape, enjoy a meal cooked by local Buyi people (one of China's official ethnic minorities), and listen to their fascinating stories.
Camp in a caveWant to feel China's April come alive with fresh blossoms and soft spring light? With fully flexible, tailor-made tours, we'll shape a journey that captures the season's gentlest beauty in the way that suits you best. Just contact us with your ideas.
3. Nyingchi
April is the peak season for peach blossoms in Nyingchi. The Peach Valley in Bomi County is the largest in China, stretching over 30 kilometers and nestled beneath snow-capped peaks and glaciers.
In Gala Peach Village, you can see vast orchards of peach trees blooming along riversides, fields, and hillsides.
NyingchiBeyond the blossoms, Nyingchi also offers other natural highlights. At Basongcuo Lake, you can soak in the serene, crystal-clear beauty of a high-altitude lake.
Lake BasomtsoMeanwhile, Lulang Forest comes alive in spring, with vibrant layers of greenery and the gentle sound of pine forests.
Lulang Forest4. Kunming
April in Kunming brings the city's exclusive jacaranda blooms along Jiaochang Middle Road. The best time to see them is usually from late April to early May, along nearly 2 kilometers of striking purple-blue trees.
Jacaranda mimosifolia in KunmingIn fact, the whole of Yunnan in April is full of floral beauty. You can visit Yiliang Mountain's Cherry Blossom Valley for more spring blooms.
Watch crabapple blossoms at Puji Temple in Lijiang, see peach blossoms at Lashi Lake, or explore the rapeseed fields in Xizhou Ancient Town in Dali.
Rape Flower Fields in XizhouIf you want to experience the full charm of Yunnan's spring flowers, follow our 9-Day Yunnan Highlights with Spring Blossoms Tour into a floral paradise.
5. Luoyang
April in Luoyang is peak peony season. Peonies are mostly planted in parks, giving them a longer and more reliable blooming period—practically the whole month of April.
Longmen GrottoesWith ancient towers and pavilions as a backdrop, the peonies create scenes rich in history and atmosphere. As a former imperial capital, Luoyang in full bloom lets you feel the grandeur of its past.
You can even wear traditional Hanfu and stroll through the gardens for perfect photo opportunities.
Beyond the peonies, Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple are must-visit. Here you can discover royal stories carved into millennia-old stone walls and see how Buddhism took root, blossomed, and shaped life in this ancient city.
6. Ili (Xinjiang)
In April, apricots in Ili start to bloom. In Turgen Apricot Valley, a 30,000-acre forest of wild apricot trees bursts into pink and white blooms.
Turgen Apricot ValleyThe best viewing time is mid to late April, and the apricot bloom lasts only 7–10 days, so seeing them depends a bit on luck.
However, Xinjiang's other natural wonders are just as captivating — from deep-blue Sayram Lake framed by snowcapped mountains to the wide, rolling meadows of the Nalati Grassland, which begin to turn fresh and vibrant in spring.
Spring is one of the most vivid times to experience Xinjiang's grassland culture. Kazakh herders begin their traditional seasonal migration, packing up their yurts and moving their livestock toward the higher grasslands — a rare, authentic scene that gives you a direct look into real nomadic life on the steppe.
7. Danba (Sichuan)
You probably know Chengdu for its giant pandas, but about 350 kilometres (220 miles) west lies Danba County, where white pear blossoms appear from mid-March to early April.
Pear blossoms in JinchuanDanba is an ideal place to enjoy spring flowers blending with Tibetan villages against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
On our 4-Day Western Sichuan Tibetan Spring Tour, you can not only admire these stunning floral landscapes but also ride across the grasslands to welcome the arrival of spring—a peaceful and picturesque experience away from the crowds.
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