April is probably the month Beijing has been waiting for since November. Five months of sub-zero nights end, and the city's parks fill with people again. Daytime temperatures typically reach around 22°C (72°F), lows settle near 9°C (48°F), and humidity sits at a comfortable 39%. Yuyuantan Park's 2,000-plus cherry trees start blooming in late March and usually peak in the first two weeks of April, drawing weekend crowds that can feel overwhelming by mid-morning on a Saturday.
The honest caveat for April is dust. The Gobi Desert sends sand and dust storms across northern China through March and April, and Beijing sits in the path. A typical April might see 2 to 3 dust events, each lasting a day or two. The sky goes a flat, gritty yellow, and fine sand coats everything outdoors. They're forecasted days in advance, so you can plan around them by shifting to indoor sites like the National Museum of China or the Capital Museum. Between storms, April regularly delivers some of the clearest blue skies Beijing sees all year.
The Qingming Festival holiday (typically April 4-6) triggers a 3-day domestic travel spike. The Forbidden City, Badaling Great Wall, and Temple of Heaven get noticeably more crowded for that long weekend. Outside those 3 days, April sits in a comfortable gap between winter's low season and the May 1st Labor Day rush. Hotel rates tend to be moderate, and weekday tickets to major attractions rarely sell out.
Why visit in April
- Comfortable spring temperatures around 22°C (72°F) with low humidity of 39%, ideal for full days of walking through the Forbidden City, hutong neighborhoods, and palace gardens without summer's draining heat
- Cherry blossoms peak at Yuyuantan Park in early-to-mid April, and peach blossoms fill Beijing Botanical Garden and Jingshan Park in the same window
- Rainfall averages only 18mm across 3 rainy days for the entire month, making it one of the driest months of the year
- Hotel rates sit below peak-season levels outside the short Qingming holiday, and weekday tickets to major sites are generally available without advance booking
Worth knowing
- Gobi Desert dust storms hit Beijing 2-3 times in a typical April, reducing visibility, spiking particulate readings, and coating outdoor surfaces in fine sand for 1-2 days per event
- The 13°C temperature swing between day and night catches visitors off guard. Afternoons at 22°C feel warm, but evenings along Shichahai or Wangfujing can drop to single digits
- The Qingming Festival holiday (around April 4-6) creates a short but intense domestic travel spike at the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and popular Great Wall sections
Best for
Think twice if
Beijing in April typically sees comfortable, dry spring weather with a wide daily temperature range. Daytime highs average 22°C (72°F) and feel warm in direct sun, while nighttime lows drop to 9°C (48°F). Humidity averages 39%, noticeably drier than the 70-80% of July and August. Rainfall comes to about 18mm across roughly 3 rainy days for the entire month. Spring winds are a factor. Beijing gets noticeably windier than other seasons, and Gobi Desert dust storms remain possible through mid-April. Between those events, the sky tends to be clear and blue.
Seasonal caution
- Gobi Desert dust storms typically hit Beijing 2-3 times in April, each lasting 1-2 days. PM10 particulate readings can spike well above safe levels during these events. The sky turns a hazy yellow, visibility drops, and fine grit coats outdoor surfaces. People with asthma or respiratory sensitivities should carry an N95 mask and plan indoor alternatives for dust days. Storms are forecasted 2-3 days in advance by the China Meteorological Administration.
- The 13°C daily temperature range (22°C days, 9°C nights) can feel more extreme than the numbers suggest because of wind chill. Spring winds in Beijing are persistent, and exposed areas like Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall ridgeline feel several degrees cooler in the wind.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2 | -7 | 2 |
| Feb | 6 | -5 | 5 |
| Mar | 15 | 2 | 12 |
| Apr | 22 | 9 | 18 |
| May | 27 | 14 | 40 |
| Jun | 33 | 21 | 69 |
| Jul | 32 | 23 | 260 |
| Aug | 30 | 22 | 174 |
| Sep | 27 | 17 | 63 |
| Oct | 18 | 8 | 40 |
| Nov | 11 | 1 | 16 |
| Dec | 3 | -5 | 4 |
Best things to do in April
Cherry blossom viewing at Yuyuantan Park
natureYuyuantan's collection of more than 2,000 cherry trees across roughly 30 varieties makes it Beijing's largest cherry blossom destination. The Somei Yoshino trees along the northern shore bloom first, followed by the double-petaled late varieties through mid-April. The pink-and-white canopy against the lake, with the CCTV Tower in the background, is one of Beijing's most photographed spring scenes.
Cherry trees peak in early-to-mid April, with the bloom window lasting roughly 10-14 days depending on spring temperatures.Booking tipGo before 7:30am on a weekday for photos without dense crowds. Weekend mornings are already packed by 9am during peak bloom.
Great Wall hiking at Mutianyu
outdoorsThe restored Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, about 70 km (43 miles) northeast of central Beijing in Huairou district, offers a 2-3 hour hike along a ridgeline with watchtowers and mountain views. The surrounding hillsides are green with new spring growth, and the temperatures at elevation sit several degrees cooler than the city.
April temperatures of 15-18°C at elevation are ideal for sustained hiking. No ice on the steps (a real winter hazard), and no summer heat that makes the exposed wall sections punishing.Booking tipVisit on a weekday to avoid Qingming and weekend crowds. The cable car wait can exceed 90 minutes on holiday Saturdays.
Peach blossom viewing at Beijing Botanical Garden
natureThe Taohua Yuan (Peach Blossom Valley) section of the Beijing Botanical Garden in Haidian district holds over 1,000 peach trees. The blossoms range from pale white to deep pink, and the hillside paths are quieter than Yuyuantan's cherry blossom crowds. The magnolia garden and lilac path also bloom in the same window.
Peach blossoms peak from late March through mid-April, overlapping with magnolias and early lilacs for a concentrated spring display.Booking tipThe garden is large enough to absorb crowds comfortably even on weekends. The peach blossom area is a 15-minute walk from the south gate.
Sunset viewing from Jingshan Park
sightseeingThe pavilion at the top of Jingshan Park's artificial hill sits directly behind the Forbidden City, offering the most complete aerial view of the palace's golden rooftops. The climb takes about 10 minutes. In April, the park's own peach and crabapple trees are in bloom along the paths leading up.
April's lower humidity and frequent clear skies make the panoramic view over the Forbidden City noticeably sharper than in the hazy summer months of July and August.Booking tipArrive at least 45 minutes before sunset to secure a spot at the central pavilion railing. The park closes at posted time, not after sunset.
Hutong cycling in Dongcheng
outdoorsThe narrow lanes of Beijing's surviving hutong neighborhoods in Dongcheng and parts of Xicheng are best explored by bicycle. April's mild afternoons let you stop at courtyard cafes, peer into doorways where families tend potted plants in the spring sun, and navigate the maze of grey-walled alleys without overheating or freezing.
After 5 months of temperatures that make open-air cycling miserable, April's 20°C afternoons are the first comfortable cycling weather since late October.Booking tipShared bikes from Meituan or Hello are available on most hutong corners. Avoid cycling on Nanluoguxiang itself on weekends when the pedestrian traffic makes it nearly impassable.
Kite flying near the Temple of Heaven
cultureKite flying is a traditional Beijing spring pastime, and April's consistent winds make it the peak month. The open lawns outside the Temple of Heaven's south gate and the grounds of Yongdingmen attract dozens of locals with elaborate kites shaped like centipedes, dragons, and Beijing Opera faces. It's participatory. You can buy a basic kite from vendors nearby.
April's spring winds are steady enough for reliable flying but not as aggressive as March's gusts. The tradition peaks in this month, and the crowds of kite-flyers are at their largest.Beijing International Film Festival screenings
cultureThe BJIFF, running since 2011, stages hundreds of film screenings across cinemas in Chaoyang and Haidian during mid-to-late April. The program includes Chinese independent films, international premieres, and retrospective series. Screenings happen at commercial cinemas rather than a single festival venue, so you can catch films between other sightseeing.
The festival runs exclusively in mid-to-late April. Screenings outside the festival dates are not available.Booking tipIndividual screening tickets often sell out within hours of release. Follow the official BJIFF WeChat account for on-sale dates, typically announced 2-3 weeks before the festival opens.
What to eat in April
In season: fruit
Changping strawberries
Greenhouses in Changping district north of Beijing produce strawberries that peak from March through mid-April. Several farms along the Xiaotangshan area offer pick-your-own on weekends. The berries tend to be smaller and sweeter than imported varieties, still warm from the greenhouse when you eat them.
On menus now
Chunbing (spring pancakes)
Thin wheat-flour crepes wrapped around julienned spring vegetables, shredded pork, and sweet bean sauce. The tradition ties to Lichun (start of spring), but April is when the fillings hit their freshest. Hutong restaurants in Dongcheng serve them rolled to order. The crunch of the fresh spring scallions and the smear of tianmianjiang sauce are the signature combination.
Jicai huntun (shepherd's purse wontons)
Shepherd's purse (jicai) is a wild green that peaks across northern China in early spring. In Beijing, it shows up folded into thin wonton skins and served in a light clear broth, with a subtle peppery-green flavor. By May, the leaves turn bitter and the window closes. Small noodle shops in Xicheng serve some of the best versions.
In markets
Xiangchun ya (Chinese toon sprouts)
The defining spring ingredient in Beijing kitchens, available for only 2-3 weeks in April. The tender red-purple shoots have a sharp, garlicky aroma and flavor that fades once they mature past mid-April. Scrambled with eggs (xiangchun chao jidan) is the classic preparation. You'll smell it sizzling in woks across Dongcheng's hutong restaurants.
Festival food
Qingtuan (green glutinous rice balls)
The traditional Qingming Festival food, made by mixing mugwort juice into glutinous rice flour and filling with sweetened red bean paste. Originally a Jiangnan tradition from cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou, now sold at bakeries across Beijing in the days around April 4-6. The texture is soft and slightly chewy, with a mild herbal bitterness from the mugwort.
Regular events in April
Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)Free
A national public holiday when Chinese families visit ancestral graves, clean tombstones, and make offerings. For visitors, the practical impact is a 3-day long weekend that spikes domestic travel. The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and popular Great Wall sections get markedly more crowded. Some businesses in Dongcheng close for 1-2 days.
Around April 4-6 (exact dates shift slightly by lunar calendar)Yuyuantan Cherry Blossom Festival
Yuyuantan Park's annual cherry blossom festival runs for roughly 3-4 weeks from late March through mid-April. The park extends opening hours, adds temporary food stalls, and stages cultural performances on weekends. Evening illumination of select cherry tree groves runs from about 6pm to 9pm during peak bloom weeks.
Late March through mid-AprilBeijing International Film Festival (BJIFF)
An annual film festival featuring hundreds of screenings, industry forums, and a competition section. Films screen across commercial cinemas in Chaoyang and Haidian rather than a single centralized venue. The Tiantan Award competition draws entries from around the world. The festival also includes a film market and masterclass events.
Mid-to-late April (typically runs 8-10 days)Best places this April
Yuyuantan Park
parkBeijing's premier cherry blossom destination. More than 2,000 cherry trees across roughly 30 varieties line the north and west shores of the lake. The Somei Yoshino trees bloom first in late March, followed by double-petaled varieties through mid-April. Early mornings before 8am are the window for photos and quiet walks under the blossoms.
HaidianBeijing Botanical Garden (Taohua Yuan section)
parkThe peach blossom valley holds over 1,000 peach trees on a gentle hillside. Less crowded than Yuyuantan, with the added draw of adjacent magnolia and lilac gardens blooming in the same April window. The warm, sweet smell of the peach blossoms is strongest on still mornings.
HaidianJingshan Park
parkThe hilltop pavilion gives the most complete overhead view of the Forbidden City. In April, the park's own peach and crabapple trees bloom along the climbing path. The view from the top on a clear April afternoon, with the golden rooftops stretching south and the Western Hills visible on the horizon, is one of Beijing's sharpest panoramas.
DongchengBeihai Park
parkOne of Beijing's oldest imperial gardens, with the white dagoba pagoda on Qionghua Island at its center. April brings weeping willows leafing out along the shoreline and early lotus pads appearing on the lake surface. The park is large enough to absorb crowds comfortably, and the north shore area near the Nine Dragon Wall tends to be quieter than the south gate entrance.
XichengNanluoguxiang and surrounding hutongs
neighborhoodA 786-meter north-south hutong alley in Dongcheng that serves as a gateway to the surrounding residential lane network. The main alley is touristy and packed on weekends, but stepping into the east-west side lanes (like Mao'er Hutong or Qinlao Hutong) reveals a quieter, more residential Beijing. April's mild weather makes aimless wandering comfortable.
DongchengMutianyu Great Wall
landmarkA well-restored section of the Great Wall about 70 km (43 miles) northeast of central Beijing. Less crowded than Badaling, with a cable car and a toboggan run for the descent. The surrounding mountains show fresh spring green in April, and the temperatures at elevation (roughly 15-18°C) are ideal for the 2-3 hour walk along the watchtowers.
Huairou district798 Art District
arts districtA converted factory complex in Chaoyang filled with galleries, studios, and cafes. April's weather makes the outdoor sculpture walks and courtyard spaces comfortable. If the BJIFF is running, some festival-adjacent exhibitions and screenings pop up in 798 venues. The industrial architecture photographs well under April's clear light.
Chaoyang
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Insider tips
Yuyuantan Park is far less crowded before 7:30am. Local retirees do tai chi and fan dances under the cherry trees from about 6am, and you'll get blossom photos without selfie-stick crowds. The north shore near the CCTV Tower side has the densest clusters of early-blooming Somei Yoshino trees.
On dust storm days, switch your itinerary to indoor sites. The National Museum of China on the east side of Tiananmen Square is free (passport required), enormous, and often uncrowded on weekday afternoons. The Capital Museum in Xicheng is another good fallback with strong historical exhibits and modern climate control.
Book Forbidden City tickets on the Palace Museum's official website or WeChat mini-program at least 7 days ahead for any April weekend. The daily visitor cap means that walk-up availability is unreliable, and third-party booking platforms typically add a markup.
For Great Wall photos without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, skip Badaling and consider Jinshanling. It's roughly 2.5 hours northeast of Beijing by car, compared to about 1.5 hours for Mutianyu, but the mix of restored and unrestored wall sections carries a fraction of the visitors even on a Saturday. The drive passes through Hebei countryside that's green and blooming in April.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing only warm-weather clothes for the daytime 22°C and then freezing on evening walks. The 9°C nighttime lows feel colder than the number suggests because of Beijing's spring wind chill. An evening stroll along Shichahai lake or through the Wangfujing area in a t-shirt will leave you uncomfortable.
- Visiting the Great Wall at Badaling during the Qingming holiday weekend (around April 4-6). The most accessible and famous section draws enormous domestic crowds during the long weekend, turning the wall into a slow pedestrian shuffle. Mutianyu or Jinshanling are better options any day, and even more so during the holiday.
- Scheduling all outdoor activities in one consecutive block without checking dust forecasts. The China Meteorological Administration issues sandstorm warnings 2-3 days ahead. Spreading outdoor and indoor plans across your trip gives flexibility to swap when a dust event rolls through, rather than losing 2 planned outdoor days in a row.
Practical tips for April
Book Forbidden City tickets 7-10 days ahead on the official Palace Museum website or WeChat mini-program, especially for Qingming week (around April 4-6) when the daily capacity fills early. The Forbidden City closes every Monday. Carry an N95 or KN95 mask for potential dust storm days. The Beijing subway is efficient for reaching most major sites, but Line 1 through Tiananmen gets congested during holidays. Ride-hailing through Didi works well but requires a Chinese phone number or an international version of the app. Most restaurants and shops in Dongcheng, Xicheng, and Chaoyang accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. International visitors can now link Visa or Mastercard to WeChat Pay through its mini-program, though carrying a small amount of cash for older vendors in hutong alleys is still wise. April is a good month to schedule Great Wall trips on weekdays when sections like Mutianyu are noticeably less crowded than on weekends or holidays.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit Beijing?
April is one of Beijing's 3 best months for visitors, along with September and October. Temperatures are comfortable at around 22°C (72°F) during the day, rainfall is minimal at 18mm for the entire month, and cherry blossoms peak in the first two weeks. The main drawback is the possibility of 2-3 Gobi Desert dust storms, which reduce visibility and spike particulate levels for a day or two each time. They're forecasted well in advance, so you can plan around them by shifting to indoor attractions. Outside the 3-day Qingming holiday (around April 4-6), crowds are moderate and hotel prices sit below peak-season rates.
What is the weather like in Beijing in April?
Expect daytime highs around 22°C (72°F) and nighttime lows near 9°C (48°F). Humidity averages 39%, which feels noticeably drier than summer's 70-80%. Rainfall totals about 18mm over roughly 3 rainy days for the entire month. The biggest variable is wind. Spring in Beijing is windier than other seasons, and Gobi Desert dust storms can reduce visibility and coat outdoor surfaces in fine grit for 1-2 days at a time. Between those events, you'll likely see clear blue skies more often than not.
Is Beijing crowded in April?
Moderately, with spikes. The Qingming Festival holiday (around April 4-6) brings a domestic travel surge that hits the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Badaling Great Wall hardest. Cherry blossom spots like Yuyuantan Park are packed on all weekends through early-to-mid April. Outside those windows, weekday visits to most attractions are comfortable. Hotel availability is generally not an issue outside Qingming week, and you can often find same-week bookings at reasonable rates.
Do I need to worry about sandstorms in Beijing in April?
They're a real factor, not a dealbreaker. A typical April sees 2-3 dust events from the Gobi Desert, each lasting 1-2 days. The sky turns hazy yellow, PM10 particulate readings spike, and fine sand settles on everything outdoors. The China Meteorological Administration forecasts them 2-3 days ahead, which gives you time to rearrange plans. Pack N95 masks, keep 2-3 indoor backup activities (the National Museum of China and Capital Museum are both strong options), and you'll manage fine. The days between storms are often brilliantly clear.
Things to Do in Beijing in April
Free cancellation All-inclusive Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall
Day trip — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Forbidden City Guided Group Tour with Entry Tickets|Multi‑Departs
City tour — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options
City tour — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights
City tour — 2 days, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Beijing Essential Full-Day Tour including Great Wall at Badaling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
City tour — 9 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Jingshan Hill Tour Options
City tour — free cancellation.
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