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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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.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Great family experience
The most surprising part were the amazing restaurants they took us, always with good food and comfortable spots, we were able to try and discover delicious foods and understand better Chinese culture. Huge thank you to Francisco, our guide in Shangai; to Juan, our guide in Xian; and Suzana our guide in Beijing; and Liberman. You all were essencial to make this trip an unforgettable memory! Thank you so much, me and my family really appreciate it. more
Apr 2024, Cybele Lujan
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The best your ever!
Winni was very flexible with what we wanted to do. She brought us to amazing restaurants and showed us the very cool buildings of Shanghai. Winni was such a fun tour guide, she was very knowledgeable and so nice. We loved our experience and will definitely recommend to our friends. Thank you Winni! more
Apr 2024, zach palazzolo
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Amazing Day in Shanghai
We had an amazing tour guide, Winnie. She took very good care of us. She was well-versed in everything she showed us and very knowledgeable. She took us to The Bund, Shanghai Tower and Yu Gardens. Everything we saw was amazing! At the end of the day she made sure we were well taken of. I would highly recommend China Highlights and especially Winnie as your tour guide. more
Apr 2024, john Thorkildsen
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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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Due giorni meravigliosi a Zhangjiajie
Grazie alla nostra guida, David nelle vicinanze, abbiamo trascorso due giorni meravigliosi e siamo riusciti a vedere non solo il parco, ma anche luoghi incantevoli che ci ha consigliato e che non erano inclusi nel programma. David, esperto di questi luoghi, ci ha consigliato di modificare il tour previsto in base alle previsioni meteo. more
Apr 2024, roam317539
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Zhangjiajie with Wendy from China Highlights was a 5 star adventure!
All of these attractions were worth visiting and it was a double pleasure to have had China Highlights planning the trip for us and asking our lovely tour guide Wendy and our lovely driver to be our companions. It would have been so hard navigating around the area and conquering the queues without them, especially Wendy. Our tour guide was a gem. She taught us to be vigilant and adamant when queuing and taking no crap from anyone.'Run for the buses and get a seat' was the daily motto . Wendy has the gift of taking fantastic photos of her clients and making sure that we didn't miss a moment anywhere we went. Wendy was attending to our needs (especially with food, drinks and additional ticket bookings) whenever and wherever possible and she was always there to help. I had forgotten something in the hotel room and she made sure I got it back. Wendy and the driver were such lovely people and we had the pleasure being accompanied by them. Lucky us, I say. I can definitely recommend Wendy as a tour guide and happy to give 5 star more
Apr 2024, travelfan05
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Great Scenery and experience
We had 4 days in Zhangjiajie early in our 28 day tour of China which was perfectly curated by Leah Zhou of China Highlights. Zhangjiajie has spectacular scenery and fun activities . Being early in the season we benefited from tourist numbers being low . Two other aspects made our time so memorable were our accommodation at the Annica Tourism Resort and our guide, Lily Lee, who went beyond what was required (at her own inconvenience and to the detriment of her family) to make our stay really special more
Apr 2024, Peter J
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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.
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