Visiting China in April

Easily one of the best months for a holiday in China, with temperatures warming up before the heat of summer arrives. While the central and southern parts of the country can be rainy, you’ll also see flowers blooming and trees blossoming everywhere. Go prepared for showers though and the landscape is wonderfully lush and green. Find peach flowers in Jiuzhaigou, where you can hike to waterfalls in the national park or the rainbow terraced pools of Huanglong. Temperatures are pleasant after the cooler days of early spring but without being too hot to enjoy walking and trekking.

It’s also a good month to explore some of China’s less-visited corners, including the grassy plains and mountains around Songpan in the sweet spot between the coldest days of winter and before the rains of summer. Or watch yak herders and discover Buddhist monasteries in Xiahe this month, both of which can be combined with spotting pandas in Chengdu.

Further north in Pingyao, the cherry blossoms will be in bloom in this fascinating ancient city, while it’s also a perfect time to find more history in Xi’an and Beijing, as well as Datong for the UNESCO World Heritage site including the Yungang cave complex.

Now is when to go to China’s second city Shanghai, before the rainiest weather arrives, where Art Deco style sits next to gleaming skyscrapers. Combine it with time in the atmospheric water towns, built on canals not far from Shanghai and Suzhou, or escape the big city buzz on the little island of Putuoshan with its Buddhist temples and white sands. It’s a great month to head into the Yellow Mountains too, with the carpet of spring flowers brightening the mist-capped peaks and dramatic gorges.

There are plenty of chances to get outdoors in the south and south-west this month as well. In Yunnan, head to timeless Lijiang at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Naxi villages and sparkling lakes to the north of Lijiang or find out more about the Bai tribe as you cook traditional Chinese dishes in Dali. Follow the ancient Tea Horse Road to see one of the last preserved markets on this trade route between China and India, or enjoy a taste of Tibet in Zhongdian (Shangri-La) in the foothills of the Himalayas, with one of the area’s most important Buddhist monasteries here. For serious hikers, there is nothing quite like the views at Tiger Leaping Gorge, and April has some of the best conditions for the challenging trek.

Further south, the scenery is equally beguiling if less taxing at Yangshuo where you can cycle among the karst peaks or sail along the river on a bamboo raft, before heading up to the rice terraces of Ping’an and Longji, known as the dragon’s backbone. Take wet weather gear as it is often rainy here this month, but seeing the gleaming terraces filled with water and mist drifting among the hills is an unforgettable sight.

Festivals: The Qingming Festival in early April, better known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a public holiday where people pay respect to their ancestors by tidying up local graveyards and tombs, and placing offerings. It’s also become a day to enjoy the spring weather.

The Sister’s Meal Festival usually takes place this month, celebrated by the Miao minority in the Guizhou Province, similar to Valentine’s Day. Girls and young women dress in colourful costumes and ornate silver jewellery to distribute different coloured rice to young men who show an interest in them.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, trekking & hiking, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Yunnan