The winter cold finally goes by and China welcomes the sunny and colorful spring from March to May! Spring is one of the best times to set out a trip to China. In spring, the temperature warms up and it’s neither too hot nor too cold. With more sunlight, plants and grass sprout again and flowers begin to bloom, turning the land into a realm adorned by multiple colors.
Beckoned by the mild climate and vibrant landscapes, a lot of people would be willing to spare some time to take a cozy, delightful spring trip to China with family and friends.
Where to Travel in Spring in China – the Most Popular Destinations
Spring is actually an ideal time to visit almost all kinds of attractions in China. And the moderate temperature and joyful natural scenes make it appropriate for hiking tours. Here we list top destinations with glamorous natural views for tourists who are planning to travel to China in spring.
Beijing
Beijing is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China and is suitable for travelling all year round. It treats visitors with imperial wonders and historical architectures, such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. In spring in Beijing, leafy trees and colorful flowers will become the most beautiful decorations, injecting a sense of vitality to well neutralize the solemnity of these ancient buildings.
For a lot of tourists, especially first-timers, a spring trip to Beijing is never complete without hiking tours on Great Wall sections, like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling. The warm weather promises a comfortable visiting experience and you will feel fulfilled by the delightful vistas of winding ramparts standing out against the lush mountains.
Recommended Beijing Tours for your spring vacation:
Yunnan
Without crowded travelers like in peak seasons, Yunnan in spring offers only cozy sunshine and endless good scenery. There are a lot of ways to make you feel entertained. For example:
- Capture the breath of spring in Luoping by viewing yellow rape flowers blanketing the surrounding hills;
- Blend in the easy and pleasant life in Dali and enjoy a boat ride on the tranquil Erhai Lake embraced by Cangshan Mountain;
- Feel the exotic customs of Dai minority at Xishuangbanna and take part in the grand Water-Splashing Festival with locals to obtain a terrific experience;
- Follow the hiking trail to conquer the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where you may feast your eyes with magnificent plateau scenes;
…
Recommended Yunnan Tours for your spring vacation:
Guilin
“The landscape in Guilin is the best under heaven.” And the essence of Guilin lies in the picturesque Li River, which presents captivating natural beauty all year round. In spring, the occasional drizzle shrouds the karst mountains along the river, just like a Chinese ink painting coming into life. It is really a special scene that only can be viewed in this particular season.
The superior idyllic scenery of Guilin is another delight in spring. You are highly recommended to put yourself in the midst of the rustic landscape of Yangshuo by a scooter ride along the Ten-Mile Gallery. Photographers should not miss the distinctive scenes of Longji Terraced Fields in spring, when the terraces are irrigated, looking like several mirrors reflecting blue sky and white clouds.
Recommended Guilin Tours for your spring vacation:
- 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour with Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Cycling
- 5 Days Guilin, Yangshuo and Terrace Field Photography Tour
Zhangjiajie
When spring comes, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park will change from a snow-wrapped realm into a vibrant, green world. With fewer tourists, it is a perfect time to embark on an in-depth exploration of the surreal scenery.
Climbing to the hilltop, you can take your time to capture great views of the “vast forest” of grotesque pillars from various angles. If it happens to rain, the surroundings will turn into the mystic world of “Pandora” in Avatar, with towering pillars wreathed in the mist, looking like they are floating in the cloud.
Recommended Zhangjiajie Tours for your spring vacation:
Huangshan
With the advent of spring, everything comes to life again in Huangshan. The Yellow Mountains (Mt. Huangshan) and ancient villages are great destinations to feel the breath of spring.
The warm weather of spring makes hiking on the Yellow Mountains more comfortable than other seasons. Aside from oddly-shaped peaks and pines, visitors have a greater chance to get a glimpse of the surreal view – the sea of clouds – in spring, especially after raining.
During spring, ancient villages near the Yellow Mountains, such as Hongcun, Nanping, and Xidi, are embraced by vast areas of rape flowers. The white walls and black tiles of local Hui-style residences form a sharp contrast with the yellow sea of flowers, just like an oil painting unfolded before your eyes.
Recommended Huangshan Tours for your spring vacation:
Tibet
The surreal natural scenery of Tibet in spring will definitely be a great delight to adventurers and photographers. Although at high latitude, Tibet in spring is not as cold as you might think. Instead, the pure and crisp air will make you feel refreshed. And with high visibility, the snow-capped mountains will become clearer, presenting much more magnificent views in front of you.
Besides, peach groves in Nyingchi will be in full bloom from the end of March. The whole region will be turned into a fairy tale world with a vast sea of pink blossom against majestic snow mountains and azure sky.
Recommended Huangshan Tours for your spring vacation:
China Weather in Spring: North vs South
In Northern China: Spring usually starts from late March, when the temperature gradually warms up in the daytime but drops obviously at night, ranging from 6℃ to 17℃. The climate is rather dry with less rain but more windy days.
In Southern China: Generally, late February marks the beginning of spring in southern China. The moderate temperature of 10℃~22℃ and moist air make people feel comfortable. However, continuous rainfall is very likely to occur in most areas in the south.
In Tibet: Affected by high elevation, Tibet is a region with a large day-and-night temperature difference. The temperature often drops below zero in the morning and evening, but goes up to 20℃ in the daytime. Taking down jackets or cotton-padded clothes is very necessary.
Recommended China Tours for Your Spring Break
- 2-Week Beijing –Xi’an – Zhangjiajie – Guilin – Shanghai Tour
- 8 Days Classic Yunnan Minority Tour of Kunming –Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-la
- 6 Days Mt. Huangshan & Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
- 10 Days Chengdu –Xi’an – Xining – Lhasa Private Tour
How to Pack for a Spring Travel to China
Remember to take only necessities with you. Too much luggage will be a big burden for you. Here we list some advice to help you prepare for China tours in spring.
Clothing and Footwear:
- Leisurewear: coats, waterproof jackets, knitwear, long-sleeve shirts…
- Umbrella or Raincoat: for occasional rainfall
- Comfortable Sneakers: waterproof would be best
Daily necessities:
- Portable Charger and Charging Cable
- Plug Adapter and Converter: (in mainland China) power voltage: 220V; plug sockets: type A and type I
- Reusable Water Bottle: in case you want to make coffee or tea by yourself
- Backpack: Carry necessary items along with you
Other essential items:
- Travel Documents: Passport, personal ID, visa (See also China Visa Application Requirements), tickets, hotel booking information…
- Cash: In case the mobile payment doesn’t work due to weak signals or system maintenance.
- Common Medications: Pack first-aid supplies for emergency use.
- Digital and Paper Copies of Important Documents
Tips for Traveling to China in Spring
- Check the weather of your destinations in advance. Avoid outdoor activities in bad weather, such as sandstorms or heavy rain;
- Take a jacket or coat with you, especially when traveling in northern China, to avoid getting cold due to the big temperature difference between day and night;
- Spring is a season of high occurrences of pollen. Visitors allergic to pollen are suggested to wear a mask and take allergy medicines before going out;
- Respect local culture and customs in regions inhabited by ethnic groups, such as Tibet and Yunnan, to avoid unnecessary conflicts with locals;
- Have meals at restaurants with good reputations and comfortable dining environments;
- Take licensed taxis, cars, and public transportation for traveling. Keep away from uncertified vehicles;
- Avoid traveling in China during the May Day holiday from May 1st to May 5th, during which most Chinese go on a trip and tourist attractions will be filled with visitors.
