The spring is cool and dry in northern China. There is barely any rain, and by April highs average around 20 °C (68 °F) in Beijing and the surrounding areas. Even the weather in freezing Harbin in the icy northeast starts to relent in spring. The city's snow melts and by April lows are above zero Celsius (32 °F) and average highs a balmy 12 °C (54 °F). Spring proves an ideal time to visit northern China before the harsh heat of summer heat kicks in.
March and April is warm and dry in central China, with the country's 'three furnace-like cities, Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanjing quickly begin to warm up with average highs a comfortable 22 °C (72 °F) in April. Though not as bone dry as in winter or as wet as in the summer monsoon seasons. There are the occasional showers with precipitation averaging between 40 to 80 mm per day across the three famed cities. Most days are dry, but on some an umbrella is needed.
Southern China has a humid subtropical climate, warm to hot the whole year round. March, before the rains, is warm and dry(ish). April sees warm, mainly dry spring weather in southern China. Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, sees highs of 25 °C (77 °F) degrees throughout the season and lows of around 10 °C (50 °F), with minimal rain (though it picks up in June) before the bursting of the spectacular summer monsoon.
The spring is cool and dry in northwest China, many people choosing this time to visit to avoid the extremes of winter cold. In Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, high temperatures range from minus 3 to 6 °C (27 - 42 °F) in March and 15 to 25 °C (59 to 77 °F) in April, the vast majority of the days dry.
Get a real feel for China on this luxury 10-day tour that whisks you through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Stay at some of the country’s most prestigious hotels while taking in key sights, from the Temple of Heaven, to the Great Wall of China, to the Terracotta Warriors, Yu Gardens, and more.
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Journey through China’s most picturesque landscapes on this exciting 13-day luxury journey. You’ll hike through the stunning Yellow Mountain and Jiuzhaigou National Park, tour Tibetan villages of the Zharu Valley, and play with Pandas in Chengdu, while staying at luxury hotels like Amanfayun or Banyan Tree.
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Travel through the remote, stunning corners of Northwest China on this colorful journey that will take you from Beijing to undiscovered Zhangye Danxia and Jiayuguan. Your camera will be challenged to capture the real life epic beauty at sites like Jiayuguan Fortress, the Danxia landforms, Bingguo Rock area, and more.
Step back into China’s indelible past on this insightful 4-day journey through Datong and Pingyao. This luxury tour will take you to ancient monasteries and UNESCO-listed sites, including the Yungang grottoes, Shanhua Monastery, and the Nine Dragon Screen, while staying at the luxurious boutique Jing’s Residence.
Meander in luxury down Asia’s longest river, the Yangtze, on this phenomenal 4-day boat journey that passes by some of China’s most stunning landscapes and fascinating cities, moving from Chongqing, past the Three Gorges Dam Project, and on to Xiling Gorge, being rocked to sleep at night aboard your cruise ship.
Experience a mesmerizing eight-day journey through China’s Qinghai Province. You’ll take in such epic sights as Qinhai Lake, the Yellow River and Dredzong Monastery, while interacting with local noamds and learning about their traditions.
Spend 5 days touring the stunning, vibrant landscapes of Southern China on this luxury journey through Yangshuo, Ping An, Xiaozhai, and Guilin. You’ll explore Guilin City, capture the limestone karsts of the Li River, visit picturesque rice terraces, and spend a night at the remarkable Li-An Lodge.
Navigate China’s historic Silk Road on this 6-day luxury tour from Urumqi to Turpan. You’ll cross paths with the country’s ancient and natural beauty, with stops in the scenic Southern Pastures and the Flaming Mountains, as you float down the waters of the legendary Heavenly Lake and visit the ancient ruins of Gaochang City.
April
This one-day festival, also known as tomb sweeping day, is followed by two further days of holiday and is devoted to paying respects to ancestors. Throughout China, people clean the tombs of their relatives and make symbolic offerings. Families also take spring outings to enjoy nature and fly kites, which they release for good luck.
Location Countrywide, China
April
This joyful popular three-day celebration is the most important festival of the Dai people. There is a carnival parade and a free-for-all water fight, food and craft markets and dragon boat races. People listen to scriptures and build Buddha statues at the temple; these are then splashed with water in a cleansing ritual.
Location Xishuangbanna, China
April/May
This three-day festival is a chance for the Miao people to experience love and courtship. Young women dress in elaborate clothes and jewelry, and young men woo them with parcels of rice. If they receive two chopsticks in return, they may court the lady. There is Lusheng dancing and music, as well as bullfights within the festivities.
Location Lusheng, China
March
At this one-day festival, the various peoples of Guangxi province get together to celebrate love. Lovers give each other letters and gifts, and express their feeling through dancing and singing. The Li people hold open air parties in colorful dress with traditional food, competitions and music with a big bonfire in the evening.
Location Guangxi, China
April-May
On this one-day festival, the people from tribes all around Guangxi province come together, wearing their best traditional clothes, all in red. There are games and competitions including beauty parades, folk drumming, sports and tug-of-war. Young men and women try to find love and there is folk music and dancing.
Location Guangxi, China
Celebrated in many different places - In Lusheng it is September (biggest one)
This is a popular four-day festival celebrated by the Miao ethnic minority of Guizhou. The Lusheng reed pipe dates back to the Tang dynasty and, as a symbol of Miao history, is played throughout the festival at ceremonies and performances of traditional dances. There are horse races on the third day and bullfighting on the fourth.
Location Lusheng, China
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