Short answer: April is one of the best months for China. In the north, in Beijing and Xi'an, it's dry and around +20 °C during the day. In the south, in Hong Kong and Guilin, it's already warm and humid, with frequent rain. Crowds and prices spike around Qingming (April 5, 2027) and in the run-up to May Day, so the most comfortable window is roughly April 7–28.
When is the best time to visit China in spring — April trips are usually booked back in winter. Below: weather city by city from Hong Kong to Beijing, the 2027 holiday dates, the crowd-free window, and what to pack. We won't cover visas here, just the season.
| City | Daytime | Nighttime | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | +24…+27 °C | +19…+22 °C | Humid, downpours and thunderstorms, start of the rainy season |
| Guilin, Yangshuo | +20…+24 °C | +14…+17 °C | Rainy, mist over the hills |
| Shanghai | +18…+21 °C | +10…+13 °C | Changeable, rain every day or two |
| Xi'an | +19…+22 °C | +8…+11 °C | Dry, warm by day, cool in the evening |
| Beijing | +19…+22 °C | +6…+9 °C | Dry, windy, occasional dust |
The figures in the table are approximate monthly averages. In any given year, April can run a few degrees warmer or cooler.
What the weather is like in China in April
The main thing: in April the south and the north are in different seasons. In the south it's nearly summer, in the north it's early spring. So you end up packing for both at once.
South: Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin
In the south April is warm and damp. Humidity is high, clothes dry badly, and a downpour can start within five minutes out of a clear sky. These are usually short tropical showers, after which the sun comes back out.
In Guilin and Yangshuo April is rainy. On the upside, the hills in the mist look exactly like they do in Chinese paintings. Boat trips on the Li River aren't cancelled because of rain — you just need a raincoat.
Center: Shanghai, Hangzhou
In Shanghai April is mild: around +20 °C during the day, cool in the evening. The weather changes fast — sunshine one day, drizzle the next. Gardens and parks are in bloom; it's one of the nicest months for walking around the city.
North: Beijing, Xi'an
In the north April is dry and sunny, but with a big gap between day and night. During the day you can walk around in a T-shirt, and by evening the temperature drops to +6…+9 °C.
What might get in the way:
- wind, sometimes carrying dust from the deserts in the northwest (in spring this happens a few days a season);
- poplar fluff at the end of April: there's plenty of it in Beijing, so allergy sufferers should bring medication;
- sharp swings: a cold front can arrive after a stretch of warm days.
Qingming 2027: when it is and what it means for your trip
In 2027 Qingming falls on Monday, April 5. It's a day for honoring ancestors: families visit cemeteries and take a short break at the same time. In mainland China it's a public holiday, and the break usually lasts three days.
What happens on those days:
- trains and flights between major cities sell out in advance and tickets get pricier;
- popular sights (the Great Wall, parks, old towns) are packed with domestic tourists;
- hotels in tourist cities get more expensive and book up fast;
- in Hong Kong Qingming is also a day off, and locals head to cemeteries and out of town.
If you're already in China on those days, it's not a problem. It's better to spend them in a big city with museums and walks, and schedule travel days and the main sights for weekdays.
What other holidays are nearby
The second peak after Qingming: the May holidays. In recent years mainland China has had a five-day break for May Day, roughly May 1–5. It's one of the busiest weeks of the year: train tickets sell out a couple of weeks ahead, and the main sights have hours-long lines.
The flow picks up noticeably in the last days of April: people travel early, and China often shifts workdays to weekends to stretch the holiday. That's why we consider late April "pre-holiday" rather than quiet time.
When April has fewer crowds
The calmest window is roughly April 7–28, between Qingming and the run-up to May Day. Domestic tourists are at school and work then, and hotel and train prices are normal.
In our experience, even during quiet weeks:
- weekends are noticeably busier than weekdays, especially in Beijing and Shanghai;
- it's best to arrive at the Great Wall and the Forbidden City right at opening;
- tickets to China's most popular sites are often sold online with your passport and in advance, sometimes several days ahead.
That's why we schedule the main sights for weekdays and book tickets well before the trip. Our tour "China: All the Highlights in 11 Days" falls right in this window: it starts after Qingming and returns before the May holidays.
What to pack for China in April
You need clothes for +8 °C in the evening in Beijing and for +27 °C with a downpour in Hong Kong. Layering works best.
- Light T-shirts and shirts in quick-drying fabric — cotton will stay damp in the south.
- A fleece or thin sweater for evenings and air conditioning.
- A light wind- and rainproof jacket, a warmer one for Beijing.
- A compact umbrella and a raincoat: the umbrella for the city, the raincoat for boats and hills.
- Comfortable shoes that can handle water. It's easy to cover 15,000–20,000 steps a day.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: the sun in the north is bright even at +18 °C.
- A face mask or buff for windy days in Beijing.
- Allergy medication if you react to fluff or pollen.
- A plug adapter: China uses several socket types, and Hong Kong has its own British format.
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in China in April?
In the north (Beijing, Xi'an) it's dry, around +20 °C by day and +6…+10 °C at night. In the south (Hong Kong, Guilin) it's warm and humid, +20…+27 °C during the day, with frequent rain. You'll need clothes for both.
When is Qingming in 2027?
In 2027 Qingming falls on Monday, April 5. The break in mainland China will most likely run from April 3 to 5, but the exact schedule is published separately by China's State Council, usually in November or December of the previous year.
When is the best time to visit China in spring?
Mid-April through the end of the month is the most comfortable: the north is already warm, and the rainy season in the south is only just starting. It's better to avoid the days around Qingming and the May holidays, when prices and crowds go up.
What should I pack for Beijing in April?
Layers: T-shirts for the day and a fleece or light jacket for the evening, since nights can drop to +6…+9 °C. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a mask or buff against dusty wind, and allergy medication for poplar fluff will all come in handy.
Is it rainy in Hong Kong in April?
Yes, April in Hong Kong is humid, with downpours and thunderstorms. The rain is usually short, with sunshine in between, and temperatures hold around +24…+27 °C during the day.
China in April with us
On the tour "China: All the Highlights in 11 Days" we travel from Hong Kong to Beijing during the quiet April days, between Qingming and May Day. We book train tickets and entries to popular sites in advance, and build the route so the main sights fall on weekdays. The group is small, the guide is right there, and everything is in Russian.
