Best Places to visit in China in Spring

Spring in China is the best time to visit this country since it is not too hot and you can participate in a lot of outdoor activities.

Compared to summers, spring in China is less crowded, so you can experience the culture and people of this country in an authentic way. Moreover, if you love photographing, you can take stunning photos of picturesque landscapes, colorful blossoms, lush vegetation, turquoise lakes, and green mountains. This article will give you more information about which places you should in China during springtime.

Spring in China

Spring, which lasts from February to April, is a pleasant time to visit this country. Note that China is vast with different topography (mountains, plateau, rainforests, and beaches), so you can experience different kinds of weather in different regions in the country.

In northern China, the weather is milder compared to the winter. However, due to high altitude, it can be freezing in the early morning and late afternoon. In central and southern China, it is warmer than the north but there may be heavy showers.

Events and Festivals during Spring in China

Chinese New Year (January or February)

Lunar New Year is the biggest yearly festival in both China and Vietnam.  Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of the New Year in lunar calendar, which falls either in January or February of the given year. There are both advantages and disadvantages when traveling to China during Lunar New Year. You can have an opportunity to observe many traditional customs (putting decorations, watching fireworks, or praying at Buddhist pagodas) and sample delectable Chinese food. But be aware that the transportation networks in China are extremely busy before Lunar New Year and prices for services (hotels, tour guides, and cars) will increase.

China’s Lantern Festival (January or February)

This festival, which falls on the 15^th day of the first lunar month, marks the end of Spring Festival. It is the time when tourists can immerse in the scenery of thousands of colorful lanterns flying in the sky. Lanterns can be seen everywhere, from households to streets and shopping malls. You can enjoy lion dance, dragon dance, and firework performances. This festival is also the first Full Moon in the lunar calendar and Chinese people gather with their family on this occasion.

Sister’s Meal Festival (March or April)

This festival is considered the oldest “Valentine’s Day” of China. Sister’s Meal Festival takes place on the 15th day of the third lunar month in Taijian and Jianhe Counties, Guizhou Province among Miao ethnic minority. The festival is associated with a legend when two lovers were forbidden by their parents and the girl always carried delicious rice for her boy when they met outdoor. At Sister’s Meal Festival, you can sample colorful glutinous rice, or “sister’s rice”, enjoy ethnic singing and dancing performances, and interact with local people.

Water-Splashing Festival (April 13-15)

The Water-Splashing Festival is a traditional New Year of the Dai ethnic minority in Dai calendar. It happens in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and it lasts for three days. Similar to Songkran Festival in Thailand, water splashing reflects the locals’ desire for good luck and prosperity in the next year. Local people also perform traditional songs and gather at Buddhist temples to perform a ritual called “Bathing the Buddha”.

Qingming Festival (April)

Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, is a traditional occasion when Chinese people visit graves and burial grounds to express their respects and gratitude to their ancestors. Qingming Festival falls on the 15^th day after the Spring Equinox, either April 4^th or 5^th of the given year. Tomb sweeping is the most important activity on this day; Chinese people believe that this ritual represents the remembrance of living relatives to their ancestors. Offerings such as traditional dishes, tea and alcohol are placed on the grave and incense is burned.

Recommended Places to Visit during Spring in China

Traveling during spring in China, you can have a chance to explore the pristine natural landscapes, discover the authentic culture, and participate in memorable spring activities.

Lhasa

As the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa is probably the first step to explore this mysterious and exotic region. In the local language, Lhasa means a Holy Land or Buddha Land. Coming to this city, tourists are stunned at its spectacular religious sites, captivating natural landscapes, and warm-hearted local people.

Spring is an appropriate time to travel around Tibetan region since it is not as chilly as the winter. The splendor and grandeur of the Potala Palace in Lhasa remain a world-famous symbol of the influence of religion in the city. It is the most sacred palace in Lhasa people’s heart. Before entering Polata Palace, you will need to show your passport. Do not forget to visit other sites such as temples, monasteries, and pagodas as well.

Guilin

Guilin is undoubted one of the most rustic towns in China. It contains many awe-inspiring landscapes, from karst mountains, magnificent rice terraces to idyllic rivers, winding paths, and tranquil ancient towns. With its authentic charm, Guilin is a must-go place for those who are interested in discovering the history and culture of China.

Spring is a comfortable time to tourists to explore every corner of this lovely town. Cruising the Li River is a good idea to relieve for all stress and immerse in the captivating scenery of nature. Travelers can also enjoy the view of Longji Terraced Field which becomes lush and luxuriant in springtime. Do not forget to visit Yangshuo Town and spend time cycling around the peaceful countryside.

Hangzhou

The city has received a time-honored title as the ‘Heaven on Earth’ thanks to its bucolic scenery. Established 2000 years ago during the Spring and Autumn Periods (770BC-476BC), Hangzhou soon became the main tea, silk, and paper manufacturing area of the country. This prosperous land was also an inspiration for writers, poets, and painters.

The West Lake is the most renowned landmark for its historical and cultural sites. Covering an area of 6.5 square kilometers, this place features several ancient pagodas, pavilions, lotus pool, and yards. Exploring Guilin’s two primary products, Longjing (Dragon Well) tea and silk, will provide you with an insight into the economy and culture of China during the feudal era. Meijiawu Tea Plantation is where you can taste the best Longjing tea and understand tea production process.

Jinan

Daming Lake Park (the Lake of Great Light) in Jinan is absolutely one of the best places to visit in spring in China. This poetic landscape covers an area of approximately 900,000 square meters of which the lake itself accounts for 460,000 square meters. The best thing to do when coming to this lake is taking a boat trip around the lake to admire the beauty of both sides. You can see the highlight of this lake, a wonderful man-made hectometer fountain built in 1985.

The lake is exceptionally more magnificent at night with the sparkling light from ancient pavilions. You will feel like you are in the filming scene of a Chinese historical movie.

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie is located in the northwest of Hunan province, in the juncture of the Yunan-Guizhou Plateau and the subsidence of Donating Lake. This province is a surreal natural wonder with marvelous peaks, strange karst caves, imposing streams, and green forests.

Zhangjiajie is a famous tourist destination for its beautiful attractions: Zhangjiajie National Park, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake, and especially the mesmerizing Phoenix Ancient Town. Phoenix Ancient Town, or Fenghuang Ancient Town, is the harmony between natural landscapes of mountains, rivers, forests and rustic ancient houses and bridge. All tourists who visit this town are impressed by its elegance, simplicity and tranquility.

Kunming

Thanks to the pleasant weather, Kunming is rich in flower resources and this city is praised as the ‘Flower City’ of China. During spring in China, Kunming is covered with colorful scenery of many kinds of flowers: tulips, camellia, magnolia, and cherry blossoms. Some places you can admire and purchase flowers are Dounan Flower Market, Jingxing Flower and Bird Market, and Jiameng Flower Market.

Kunming is also well-known for Stone Forest, which is 120 kilometers from the city centre. This place is an astounding set of mountains and it is a representative of Chinese limestone landscape. If you want to discover more about China and other Asian countries, note that Kunming is the gateway to Tibet, Sichuan, Burma (Myanmar), and India.