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Best Places to Go in Spring in China: Top Destinations to Visit in the Spring

Written by Matteo Updated Mar. 26, 2025

Spring in China comes from March to May. During this time, South China has quite mild weather. 

While there's some rain, it's the perfect time for a refreshing getaway. With the Easter holiday of 2025 approaching, gather your family and friends for an unforgettable spring trip to China!

1. Yunnan - Stunning Landscapes and Rich Ethnic Diversity

yuanyang rice fields
Yuanyang rice fields in spring

In spring, Yunnan has pleasant temperatures between 15-25°C. The sunshine is gentle, and the weather is perfect for escaping the cold or heat. Kunming, known as the "City of Spring," is full of blooming flowers all year. The cherry blossoms on Yuantong Mountain are especially beautiful.

From February to March, Luoping's fields of rapeseed flowers look like a golden carpet. The layered fields and karst mountains are perfect for photos. During this time, the Yuanyang rice terraces reflect the sky like mirrors and are a breathtaking World Heritage site.

In mid-April, Xishuangbanna's Water Splashing Festival is a joyful event. People celebrate the Dai New Year with water blessings, dancing, and sky lanterns.

Spring is an ideal time to explore Yunnan's classic route, with fewer tourists. You can enjoy cycling around Dali's Erhai Lake, hike the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge, and relax in the peaceful ancient towns with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background.

2. Guilin - A Hundred Miles of Picturesque Scenery

Guilin in spring
Guilin Li River in spring

Guilin boasts unique karst landforms and beautiful landscapes. The Li River is at its best in spring, with temperatures between 18-28°C. Drift on a bamboo raft from Xingping to Yangdi to see cormorant fishermen and picturesque reflections. 

From March to April, golden rapeseed flowers blend with karst mountains and villages with white walls and grey tiles. Riding along the Yulong River in Yangshuo feels like being immersed in an ink painting. A light mist and drizzle create a veil over the karst peaks.

In mid-April, the Longji Terraces are filled with water. At this time, the water's surface sparkles and reflects the blue sky and white clouds, like a large mirror. Standing on the terraces and waiting for the sun to rise, with golden sunshine pouring over the terraces, you will feel like your soul has been purified.

After April, the river enters its high-water season, making waterfalls and caves even more spectacular.

3. Zhangjiajie - Exploring the Magical Mountains and Peaks

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

In spring, Zhangjiajie has temperatures between 12-22°C, with frequent rain and mist. Peaks appear and disappear in the sea of clouds.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of the famous attractions in Zhangjiajie, often known as the "Cloudless Paradise Stretching for Thousands of Li". It is famous for its spectacular stone pillars, deep canyons, and cliffs. In April, flowers bloom all over the park, covering the mountains with colorful blossoms, making it look like a magical fairyland.

At Yuanjiajie, the "Hallelujah Mountains" seem like floating fairylands. The fresh green along Golden Whip Stream shrouded in mist, feels like stepping into Pandora from "Avatar."

The winding road up Tianmen Mountain offers thrilling views through the mist, and the glass walkway gives a breathtaking look into the canyon. After April, the "Heaven’s Gate Breathing Mist" phenomenon often occurs.

4. Huangshan - The Most Marvelous Mountain Under Heaven

Hongcun Village
Hongcun Village in Spring

Yellow Mountain scenic area belongs to Huangshan City. In March and April, Yellow Mountain is in the depths of spring, with the scent of spring pervading every corner of the mountains. 

Large patches of azaleas can be seen in places like Yuping Tower, Beihai, Xihai, and Shixin Peak. Every April and May, the azaleas bloom, with pink ones resembling morning glow and red ones like flames, turning the entire mountain into a sea of flowers, like a beautiful painting scroll.

In spring, Huizhou's villages like Xidi and Hongcun resemble ink paintings. From March to April every year, when the rapeseed flowers bloom, these places feel like a hidden paradise and are perfect for sketching.

Xidi is like an unfolded painting where you can ride a bike, go hiking, and enjoy the flowers. Only by experiencing these activities in person can you truly appreciate the beauty of this springtime scenery.

Visiting Hongcun in spring not only allows you to admire the ancient houses with Huizhou characteristics but also to see the iconic black-tiled and white-walled buildings. The rapeseed flowers bloom brilliantly among these black-and-white villages.

5. Hangzhou - A Paradise on Earth

Tulips Blossom in Taiziwan Park
Tulips Blossom in Taiziwan Park

Hangzhou is also known as the World of Flowers. The city experiences mild weather, with temperatures spanning 11 to 22°C. As you stroll along the West Lake or the streets of Hangzhou, you can see the beautiful scenery of blooming flowers and willows.

From mid-March to mid-April, the Taiziwan Park, located to the southwest of West Lake, is filled with tulips in full bloom. Red, yellow, pink, and other colorful tulips add endless charm to this sea of flowers. On the lake, there are floating islands arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. When the breeze blows, these islands sway gently, and the flowers dance along with their reflections in the water.

Hangzhou is also home to many other great places for flower viewing. For example, the Xixi National Wetland Park is a great place to enjoy plum blossoms, the Hangzhou Botanical Garden is known for its orchids, and the Baita Park is famous for its cherry blossoms.

6. Suzhou - An International Garden City

Humble Administrator's Garden in Spring
Humble Administrator's Garden in Spring

Suzhou's gardens are among the best in the Jiangnan region. With flowers adding color, the gardens look even more elegant. Daily temperature in Suzhou varies from 12 to 24 °C.

There is a big azalea exhibition in the Humble Administrator's Garden from late March to late April. During this time, all kinds of azaleas bloom, including beautiful western azaleas and small potted azaleas, which are very pretty.

Magnolias bloom from late February to March, and their white flowers look great with the old buildings in the garden. When you walk around the garden, you can also see green willow branches swaying in the wind, making you feel like spring has come.

In the Lingering Garden, cherry blossoms bloom in April, with their pink flowers looking like clouds and adding a beautiful contrast to the old buildings in the garden. By late April, viburnum balls also bloom in full, with their big white flowers standing out among the green leaves.

7. Western Sichuan - A Mysterious Plateau Wonderland

Jiuzhaigou
Jiuzhaigou in Spring

Western Sichuan has temperatures between -4°C and 11°C, but it's bursting with life. The spring in Daocheng Yading is like a beautiful song celebrating life, soft and touching.

In April, under blue skies and white clouds, the lakes in Jiuzhaigou are crystal-clear, reflecting the towering mountains in a picturesque scene. The plants by the lakes gradually turn green, matching the reflections in the lakes to create breathtaking views.

In May, Siguniang Mountain welcomes its peak blooming season. The peaks of the mountains are still covered with snow, but the foot of the mountain is a sea of flowers. Walking along the mountain trails, you see colorful flowers blooming, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped peaks, as if you're in a fairyland.

8. Xiamen - Garden on the Sea

Bougainvillea growing on the wall
Bougainvillea growing on the wall

Gulangyu Island seems to have been awakened by spring, with vitality emanating from every corner. In March, purple jacarandas bloom on the island, creating a sea of flowers that contrasts beautifully with the blue sea and sky. When the breeze blows, petals fall like rain.

In May, the bougainvilleas on Riyuang Rock bloom, with bright red flowers that vividly contrast with the ancient rocks. Standing on the rock and overlooking the entire island, you can take in a breathtaking view of the blue sea, blue sky, red-tiled roofs, and green trees.

9. Nyingchi - Blossom on the Plateau

Peach Valley in Nyingchi
Peach Valley in Linzhi

Linzhi has a temperature range between 10-20°C. In March, the peach blossoms in Peach Blossom Valley bloom, with pink and white flowers contrasting beautifully against the snow-capped mountains and temples. Inside the valley, peach trees nestle at the foot of the mountains and beside temples, resembling a picturesque scroll.

In April, azaleas in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon compete in splendor. Trekking along the canyon's footpaths allows for a close-up view of the majestic Mount Namjagbarwa. Inside the canyon, the river roars, its sound intertwining with the songs of birds and insects on both banks, creating a symphony of nature.

10. Luoyang - A Vitality Scenery in the Ancient City

Peony in Luoyang
Peony in Luoyang

The temperature in Luoyang is around 15°C. The peony flowers in front of the Longmen Grottoes bloom, displaying vibrant colors - red like fire, white like snow, and pink like dawn clouds. The fragrance of the flowers is refreshing and soothing.

In April, precious varieties such as Yao Huang and Wei Zi in the Peony Garden compete in splendor, each flower resembling meticulously carved artwork. At this time, Luoyang not only boasts spectacular grottoes and fragrant peonies but also welcomes spring at the White Horse Temple.

The ancient temple's grass turns green, and spring fills the branches. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting a golden glow on the temple's architecture as if covering it with a layer of mystery.

What Is Spring Like in China?

China's spring varies greatly between the south and the north.

Southern China: Expect rainy and humid weather, with rainfall between 300 and 700 millimeters, mostly in April and May. Temperatures gradually rise from 15°C to 25°C, and humidity is high.

Northern China: It's drier here, with only 50 to 150 millimeters of rain. Temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C, and there can be a big difference between day and night temperatures.

If you happen to encounter bad weather during your trip, don't be too discouraged. There are always regrets in travel. Try to think of it from another angle. Perhaps this bad experience caused by the weather will become the most unforgettable memory of your trip.

Related Reading: China Weather - Best Time to Visit China

What to Pay Attention to in the Spring Trip

Qingming Festival falls around April 1st, while Labor Day is on May 1st. During these two holidays, Chinese people enjoy 3-day and 5-day vacations, respectively. Many Chinese choose to travel outside during this time.

Therefore, if you happen to plan a visit to China during these two periods, please be mentally prepared in advance because some famous scenic spots can become extremely crowded. The best strategy is to avoid these two peak travel times to avoid the peak crowds.

Related Reading: China Public Holidays in 2025

Book Your Spring Trip with China Travel

China Travel is a professional travel agency. If you encounter any problems during your trip, you can always contact us, and our travel consultants will do their best to meet your travel needs.

Upon your arrival in China, a warm-hearted tour guide holding a small flag with your name will greet you, escort you to the hotel, and assist you with check-in procedures. The next morning, the tour guide will wait for you in the hotel lobby according to your itinerary and accompany you to the scenic spots.

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