Stay in Nanjing in April
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April catches Nanjing in its finest spring form. Daytime temperatures sit around 22.6°C (73°F) with lows near 12.7°C (55°F), comfortable enough for full days of walking without the suffocating heat that arrives in June. The city's famous plane trees along Zhongshan Road and the Yihe Lu villa district have leafed out into green canopies, and the cherry blossoms along Jiming Temple Road are putting on their last show before the petals drop.
The one complication worth flagging is the Qingming Festival, a national holiday in early April that brings a sharp spike in domestic tourism. Wait times at the Presidential Palace of Nanjing and across the Zijin Shan scenic area can stretch past 2 hours during that window. Timing your visit for the second or third week of the month sidesteps the worst of the crowding, while still catching the tail end of blossom season and the start of spring Yangtze fish menus at restaurants in Fuzimiao.
Rain does show up through the month, mostly as afternoon showers that pass within an hour. Mornings tend to be clear, which makes early starts at outdoor sites worthwhile. April sits in a sweet spot between the grey cold of winter and the relentless meiyu rains of June, and it ranks as one of the 2 or 3 strongest windows for a Nanjing visit.
Why visit in April
- Spring temperatures between 13°C and 23°C (55-73°F) make Nanjing's outdoor sites walkable all day, a welcome contrast to the near-freezing January nights or the 33°C July heat
- Cherry blossoms along Jiming Temple Road and fresh spring foliage across Zijin Shan draw photographers through early-to-mid April
- Shoulder-season accommodation rates outside the brief Qingming holiday sit noticeably below the October Golden Week peak
- Yangtze River spring fish season peaks through April, with Changjiang daoyu (swordfish) appearing on restaurant menus across Fuzimiao and the Gulou district
Worth knowing
- The Qingming holiday brings a domestic tourism spike, with queue times at top sites roughly doubling or tripling for a brief stretch in early April
- Rain falls on roughly a third of April days, occasionally washing out an afternoon at exposed outdoor sites like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum on Zijin Shan
- Spring pollen counts rise noticeably around Xuanwu Lake Park and the forested slopes of Zijin Shan, which can be rough on allergy sufferers
- Cherry blossom season is winding down by mid-April, so visitors arriving in the final two weeks will find the Jiming Temple corridor green rather than pink
Best for
Think twice if
April delivers 79mm of rainfall across roughly 8 days, mostly as afternoon showers rather than all-day storms. Humidity averages 66%, comfortable enough on the skin compared to the 80%+ readings that make July and August oppressive. Mornings can feel crisp under tree cover on Zijin Shan, while afternoons in direct sun feel warm without being hot. Compared to the 255mm that July drops on the city or the 184mm of June's meiyu season, April's rain is manageable with a packable jacket. Overcast stretches rarely last more than 2 consecutive days. The odd cold front can push early-morning temperatures a few degrees below the seasonal average, so packing one warm layer remains worthwhile.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | 0 | 41 |
| Feb | 10 | 2 | 53 |
| Mar | 17 | 7 | 91 |
| Apr | 23 | 13 | 79 |
| May | 26 | 17 | 115 |
| Jun | 30 | 22 | 184 |
| Jul | 33 | 26 | 255 |
| Aug | 33 | 26 | 123 |
| Sep | 29 | 22 | 145 |
| Oct | 23 | 15 | 74 |
| Nov | 17 | 9 | 33 |
| Dec | 10 | 1 | 17 |
Best things to do in April
Walk the Jiming Temple cherry blossom corridor
natureThe 600-meter stretch of road leading to Jiming Temple is lined with Yoshino cherry trees that form a pale pink canopy overhead in early April. The temple itself, one of Nanjing's oldest Buddhist sites, sits on a hill above Xuanwu Lake with views over the blossoms to the city skyline. The petals underfoot on the paving stones and the faint sweetness in the air make early morning visits before 9:00 feel different from the midday crush.
Cherry blossoms on Jiming Temple Road peak in late March through early April. By mid-April the petals are falling, creating a photogenic carpet effect along the stone path that lasts only a few days.Booking tipNo booking needed, but arrive before 8:30 on weekends for photos without dense crowds.
Hike the Zijin Shan scenic loop
outdoorsA full-day circuit connecting Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Sacred Way with its rows of stone animal guardians, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and its 392-step granite staircase, and the Linggu Temple pagoda. The mountain tops out around 450 meters, and the loop covers roughly 10 km on paved and forest paths. Birdsong echoes through the camphor and pine forest in the early hours, and spring greenery fills the canopy overhead.
April's mild conditions make this a pleasure rather than an ordeal. The same route in peak summer heat and high humidity becomes an endurance test, and the winter months strip the canopy bare.Booking tipBook Ming Xiaoling tickets online 1-2 days ahead during Qingming week. Outside that window, walk-up tickets are typically available.
Eat spring fish along the Qinhuai River
foodRestaurants lining the Qinhuai River in Fuzimiao feature seasonal Yangtze River fish through April. At dusk the tables along the illuminated canal fill up. The smell of steamed fish and sizzling wok dishes drifts across the water, mixed with the warm glow of red lanterns reflected on the surface. The spring menus lean on steamed and lightly sauced preparations that let the fish's natural flavor carry the dish.
April is the last full month of the spring fish season. Restaurants push their seasonal menus hardest during these final weeks, and the variety on offer narrows once the seasonal closure takes effect.Booking tipWaterside tables fill fast on Friday and Saturday evenings. Reserve a day ahead for weekend dinner.
Explore the Republican-era villas of Yihe Lu
cultureThis quiet district northwest of Gulou holds over 200 Republican-era (1912-1949) villas and former embassy buildings, many now converted to cafes, galleries, and small museums. The architecture mixes Chinese, Art Deco, and European styles along tree-lined streets. Dappled afternoon light through the plane tree canopy draws portrait photographers and couples looking for a contemplative walk.
The plane trees that define the district's visual character reach full leaf in April, creating the atmospheric green tunnel that has made this neighborhood a springtime photography destination.Spend a rainy afternoon at the Nanjing Museum
cultureFounded in 1950, the Nanjing Museum holds over 400,000 artifacts across 6 exhibition halls. The standout is the Republic of China History gallery, which reconstructs a complete 1930s Nanjing streetscape with period shop fronts, a working cinema screening old films, and authentic advertisements on the walls. The building covers enough ground to fill 3-4 hours without rushing.
April's scattered rain makes a strong indoor backup essential. The Republic-era gallery pairs naturally with walking the surviving 1930s architecture of Yihe Lu on a dry day, connecting reconstructed history to the living streetscape.Booking tipFree entry but advance online reservation is required. Book on the museum's WeChat mini-program 1-2 days ahead. Closed Mondays.
Cycle the Xuanwu Lake shoreline
outdoorsThe 10-km paved path circling Xuanwu Lake passes through willow groves, over causeways connecting 5 small islands, and alongside the old Ming city wall that borders the lake's southern edge. Morning mist rises off the water on cool April mornings, and the willows trailing into the lake catch the early light in a way that rewards the early start. Shared bikes dock at multiple stations around the perimeter.
Willows along the lake are at their greenest in April, and the water stays too cool for the algae blooms that cloud the surface later in summer. Comfortable morning temperatures make outdoor cycling enjoyable without sunstroke risk.Booking tipShared bikes (Meituan or Hello Bike) are plentiful at the Xuanwu Gate entrance. Scan to unlock via app.
Walk the Ming City Wall from Zhonghuamen northward
outdoorsNanjing's Ming Dynasty city wall, construction of which began in 1366, stretches roughly 25 km around the old city core. The most walkable section runs about 4 km along the top from Zhonghuamen, the largest surviving city gate in China, with 4 layers of fortified vaulted tunnels. The stone surface underfoot is worn smooth by centuries of use, and the elevated walkway gives uninterrupted views over rooftops and parks on both sides.
Spring foliage on both sides of the wall creates a green corridor effect from the elevated walkway. The mild April weather makes the exposed, largely shadeless wall-top route comfortable, unlike the same walk under high-summer sun.Booking tipZhonghuamen gate has a separate admission ticket. Buy at the gate or online. Weekday mornings see the lightest foot traffic.
What to eat in April
On menus now
Changjiang daoyu (Yangtze swordfish)
The prized Yangtze River swordfish runs through Nanjing's stretch of the river from March into late April, before the annual fishing ban closes the season. The flesh is delicate and almost translucent when steamed, paired with ginger and scallion in the traditional Nanjing preparation. Restaurants along the Qinhuai River in Fuzimiao tend to feature it prominently on their spring menus.
Malantou with pressed tofu
A cold appetizer of wild-foraged malan herb, finely chopped and mixed with firm dried tofu, dressed lightly in sesame oil. The herb appears in Nanjing's markets from late March through April and carries a slightly bitter, grassy bite that locals consider the taste of spring. Look for it as a starter at restaurants in the Gulou university district.
What to drink
Yuhuacha (Rain Flower tea)
Nanjing's signature green tea reaches its prized spring flush in April. The leaves are hand-rolled into tight pine-needle shapes and brew a pale jade-colored cup with a subtle chestnut sweetness. Tea shops around the Yuhuatai scenic area sell the freshest batches of the year during this brief harvest window.
In markets
Chunsun (spring bamboo shoots)
Fresh-dug bamboo shoots hit Nanjing's wet markets in April with a crunch and clean sweetness that canned or dried versions cannot approximate. Local cooks stir-fry them with pork belly or braise them in soy sauce. The Laomendong quarter's restaurants serve particularly good renditions paired with local cured meats.
Festival food
Qingtuan (green rice balls)
Soft glutinous rice dumplings tinted green with fresh mugwort juice, filled with sweet red bean paste. They appear in bakeries and street stalls across Nanjing starting in late March, with peak availability through mid-April. The texture is chewy and faintly herbal, with a grassy fragrance that fades within a day of baking, so freshness matters.
Regular events in April
Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day)Free
A 3-day national public holiday when families visit ancestral graves and honor the dead. In Nanjing, the holiday concentrates visitors at Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and Yuhuatai Martyrs Memorial Park. Expect elevated crowds at all major sites and fully booked hotels around Xinjiekou.
April 4-6 (exact dates shift slightly by year based on the solar calendar)Nanjing Cherry Blossom FestivalFree
Centered on Jiming Temple Road and extending to Xuanwu Lake's northern shore, this city-run festival celebrates blossom season with illuminated evening viewing, photography exhibitions, and cultural performances. The main events close out in the first week of April as blooms begin to fall.
Late March through the first week of AprilNanjing Reading FestivalFree
An annual city-wide literary event featuring author talks, book fairs, and literary walks through the Gulou district and the Librairie Avant-Garde bookshop. Events run across multiple venues through late April and into early May.
Around April 23 (World Book Day) through early MayBest places this April
Jiming Temple and Jiming Temple Road
templeThe Buddhist temple sits on a hill above Xuanwu Lake, and the road approaching its gate is Nanjing's most photographed cherry blossom corridor in early April. The temple's vegetarian restaurant on the upper terrace serves simple noodle dishes with a panoramic lake view that alone warrants the visit.
XuanwuLaomendong
historic districtA restored quarter of narrow lanes and grey-brick Qing Dynasty-era buildings south of the old city, filled with tea houses, craft shops, and small restaurants. April's mild temperatures make the outdoor wandering pleasant rather than sweaty. The quarter follows the old Qinhuai River's southern branch and connects to Fuzimiao on foot.
QinhuaiNanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen
parkOn the eastern slope of Zijin Shan, the botanical garden spreads across 186 hectares with over 3,000 plant species. The peony and rose collections hit their first blooms in mid-to-late April. The greenhouse complex provides cover during rain, and the grounds see far fewer visitors than the main memorial sites nearby.
Zijin Shan scenic areaQingliang Park
parkA quieter alternative to the tourist-heavy Zijin Shan sites, sitting on a forested hill in the western part of the old city. Stone-paved paths wind through old-growth trees past a small calligraphy museum. In April the park fills with locals doing morning tai chi under the fresh canopy, and the Qingliang Gate section of the Ming city wall connects directly to the trails.
GulouMemorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders
museumFounded in 1985, this memorial documents the December 1937 massacre with artifacts, photographs, and survivor testimonies. The visit is emotionally difficult but historically essential for understanding the city. The building's stark modern architecture contrasts with the meditative courtyard garden outside. Free entry with ID or passport.
JianyeYuhuatai scenic area
parkA memorial park combining a revolutionary martyrs' monument with gardens and the colorful rain flower pebbles the area is named for. Vendors near the south entrance sell the smooth, multicolored yuhua stones. Far less crowded than Zijin Shan and a peaceful morning option, with the added draw of nearby tea shops selling fresh-picked Yuhuacha during the April harvest.
Yuhuatai
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Insider tips
The vegetarian noodle shop inside Jiming Temple serves one of the best cheap meals near any Nanjing tourist site. Most visitors walk right past it heading for cherry blossom photos. The terrace tables overlook Xuanwu Lake and cost a fraction of anything on the Fuzimiao waterfront.
Librairie Avant-Garde, built inside a converted underground parking garage near Wutaishan in the Gulou district, is one of the most atmospheric bookshops in China. Go on a weekday morning when it's quiet enough to hear your own footsteps on the concrete ramp leading down to the main floor.
The Zhongshan scenic area shuttle bus runs between Ming Xiaoling, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, and Linggu Temple, saving roughly 3 km of walking between sites. Most visitors find out about it only after exhausting themselves on the stairs.
For cheaper and less crowded evening dining than the Fuzimiao waterfront strip, cross the Qinhuai River south into Laomendong. The cooking style is the same, the atmosphere is arguably better, and locals consistently outnumber tourists.
The Ming city wall section near Taicheng Gate connects Xuanwu Lake to Jiming Temple along a stretch that rarely sees foreign visitors. You can walk from the cherry blossoms at the temple to the lake's cycling loop without dropping back to street level.
Avoid these mistakes
- Stacking all Zijin Shan outdoor sites on the Qingming holiday. Queue times at Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum roughly triple during those days. Shift mountain visits to midweek and save the holiday for indoor options like the Nanjing Museum or the Presidential Palace.
- Packing only warm-weather clothes because the forecast shows highs in the low twenties. Mornings on Zijin Shan start cool under dense tree cover, and the gap between shade and sun is substantial. Visitors in shorts and a tank top at 8 a.m. on the Sacred Way are visibly cold.
- Skipping WeChat setup before arriving. Most Nanjing attractions now require advance reservation through official WeChat mini-programs, and walk-up availability can vanish entirely during the Qingming period. Configure it before your flight.
- Treating the Zhonghuamen city gate as a 10-minute photo stop. The gate's 4 layers of vaulted tunnels and its standing as the largest surviving city gate in China make it a destination worth at least an hour, not a backdrop for a quick picture.
Practical tips for April
Book Zijin Shan site tickets through their official WeChat mini-programs at least 2 days ahead during the Qingming holiday. The Nanjing Museum requires free advance reservation and closes on Mondays. Metro Line 2 connects Xinjiekou to Xiamafang station for the scenic area in about 15 minutes, and Line 1 reaches Zhonghuamen for the city wall. Most restaurants, taxis, and shops operate on WeChat Pay or Alipay, so set up at least one before arrival or bring cash as backup. Dress modestly when visiting Jiming Temple or the Memorial Hall. Seasonal Yangtze fish menus tend to see elevated pricing in the final two weeks of April as the catch window narrows. The high-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao to Nanjing South takes roughly 65 minutes and runs frequently, making multi-city itineraries practical. If you plan to visit nearby Yangzhou for its own celebrated spring cuisine, the intercity train takes about 45 minutes.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit Nanjing?
April ranks among the top 3 months for visiting Nanjing, behind October and November. Temperatures are mild, spring foliage is at its peak across the city, and the oppressive summer humidity has not arrived. The main drawback is the Qingming holiday in early April, which brings a short but sharp surge of domestic visitors to major sites. Timing your trip to the middle or latter part of the month gives you the best of spring without the holiday crowds.
What is the weather like in Nanjing in April?
Mild spring weather with comfortable highs in the low twenties Celsius (low seventies Fahrenheit) and cool mornings that benefit from a light layer. Rain arrives on about a third of days, typically as afternoon showers that pass fairly quickly. Humidity stays moderate compared to the punishing summer months. Mornings under tree cover on Zijin Shan can feel genuinely cool, so a sweater or light jacket earns its luggage space.
Is Nanjing crowded in April?
Moderately, with one notable exception. The Qingming Festival holiday in early April creates a sharp spike at major sites, with queue times roughly 2-3 times their normal length at Ming Xiaoling and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Outside that holiday window, April sits at comfortable shoulder-season levels. Weekday mornings at most attractions feel spacious even during cherry blossom weeks.
Can I still see cherry blossoms in Nanjing in April?
In the first week or so, yes. The Yoshino cherry trees along Jiming Temple Road typically bloom in the final week of March and hold through the first 7-10 days of April. By mid-month, most petals have fallen. If cherry blossoms are your primary draw, aim for the first week. Visitors arriving later will find other spring flowers at the Nanjing Botanical Garden, including peonies from mid-April onward, but the famous cherry corridor will be green rather than pink.
How many days do I need in Nanjing in April?
Three full days covers the core sites comfortably. Day one for the Zijin Shan scenic area, day two for the old city loop (Fuzimiao, Zhonghuamen, the Ming city wall walk), day three for Xuanwu Lake, Jiming Temple, and the Nanjing Museum. A fourth day allows for Yihe Lu, Qingliang Park, and a slower visit to the Memorial Hall. Nanjing rewards the extra day more than most cities its size.
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