Best places to visit in Asia in April

Asia

Indonesia · 32°C (90°F) · 8 rainy days

Bali

Hindu temples, rice terraces, surf beaches and volcano sunrises. The start of the dry season, with green landscapes, calmer seas and fewer visitors than mid-year.

Singapore · 32°C (90°F) · 15 rainy days

Singapore

Hawker food, garden architecture and four cultures on one island. Inter-monsoon month: humid, still mornings and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Vietnam · 27°C (81°F) · 13 rainy days

Hanoi

Guild streets, lakeside temples and street food on plastic stools. Warm and pleasant before the summer heat, with brighter skies; a good month for walking and Ninh Bình trips.

Taiwan · 26°C (79°F) · 14 rainy days

Taipei

Night markets, temple incense, hot springs and mountain trails by MRT. Warm and pleasant, though showers are common; the Tomb Sweeping and Children's Day holidays bring busy weekends.

Japan · 20°C (68°F) · 10 rainy days

Kyoto

Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food. Cherry blossom usually peaks in the first week; the city is at its most beautiful and its most crowded, with peak hotel prices.

Japan · 20°C (68°F) · 9 rainy days

Osaka

Japan's street-food capital, neon canals and an easy base for Kansai. Cherry blossom usually peaks in the first days of April at Osaka Castle and Kema Sakuranomiya Park; the busiest and most expensive weeks of spring.

South Korea · 18°C (64°F) · 8 rainy days

Seoul

Joseon palaces, market food and late nights in a 24-hour capital. Cherry blossom season, usually peaking in the first half of the month, along Yeouido's Yunjung-ro and around Seokchon Lake.

Japan · 19°C (66°F) · 10 rainy days

Tokyo

Neon districts, historic shrines, outstanding food and punctual trains. Cherry blossom in early April and fresh green leaves after; the Golden Week holidays begin at the end of the month.

Azerbaijan · 16°C (61°F) · 5 rainy days

Baku

A walled medieval Old City, flame-shaped towers and a long Caspian promenade. Mild and pleasant, ideal for walking the Old City and day trips.

Vietnam · 31°C (88°F) · 4 rainy days

Da Nang

City beaches, river bridges and mountains on Vietnam's central coast. Warm, sunny and calm seas: one of the best months for beach and sightseeing combined.

Japan · 24°C (75°F) · 10 rainy days

Okinawa

Subtropical beaches, Ryukyu castles, coral reefs and island cooking. Warm, sunny and before the rains — one of the best months; Golden Week at the end of the month is busy and expensive.

China · 20°C (68°F) · 5 rainy days

Beijing

Imperial palaces, hutong lanes and the Great Wall within a day's reach. Blossom in the parks and the Summer Palace; pleasant days, but some windy or dusty spells.

South Korea · 19°C (66°F) · 9 rainy days

Busan

City beaches, seaside temples and Korea's biggest fish market. Mild and green; one of the best months for coastal walks and day trips to Gyeongju.

Philippines · 32°C (90°F) · 6 rainy days

Cebu

Spanish-era Cebu City, sardine runs, waterfalls and island beaches. Hot and dry; Holy Week brings domestic crowds to beaches, especially Bantayan.

Japan · 20°C (68°F) · 9 rainy days

Fukuoka

Tonkotsu ramen, riverside yatai stalls and an airport five minutes from downtown. Cherry blossom early in the month, then pleasant spring weather; the baseball season starts.

Japan · 20°C (68°F) · 10 rainy days

Hiroshima

Peace memorials, Miyajima's floating torii and layered okonomiyaki. Cherry blossom in the Peace Park and castle grounds early in the month; one of the best times to visit.

Vietnam · 31°C (88°F) · 4 rainy days

Hoi An

Lantern-lit merchant streets, tailors and rice-field cycling near the coast. Sunny and warm with calm seas; good for both the old town and the beach.

South Korea · 18°C (64°F) · 11 rainy days

Jeju

Volcanic craters, lava tubes, haenyeo divers and black-pork barbecue. One of the best months: mild, green and full of canola and cherry blossom early on; good for Olle walks and Hallasan hikes.

Nepal · 28°C (82°F) · 6 rainy days

Kathmandu

Stupas, Newar temple squares and the gateway to the Himalaya. Warm days and occasional afternoon storms; Nepali New Year brings festivals in Bhaktapur.

Thailand · 33°C (91°F) · 6 rainy days

Koh Samui

Palm-fringed beaches, island resorts and boat trips in the Gulf of Thailand. The hottest weeks of the year; Songkran water fights take over Chaweng and Lamai.

Maldives · 32°C (90°F) · 9 rainy days

Maldives

Overwater villas, house reefs, manta rays and local-island guesthouses. The hottest month, with calm seas and the warmest water; showers increase towards the end as the monsoon changes.

China · 20°C (68°F) · 11 rainy days

Shanghai

Art Deco riverfront, plane-tree lanes and a skyline across the Huangpu. One of the best months: mild, green and good for long walks; the Qingming holiday brings busy days.

Philippines · 31°C (88°F) · 5 rainy days

Boracay

Powder-white sand, paraw sailboats and sunsets over the Sibuyan Sea. Hot and dry, with peak domestic crowds during Holy Week and school holidays.

Japan · 20°C (68°F) · 9 rainy days

Nara

Japan's first permanent capital, the Great Buddha and a park of bowing deer. Cherry blossom in Nara Park and at Mount Yoshino; one of the busiest and most beautiful times.

Beach, city or budget: April picks by trip type

What's on in April

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

• Bali: Easter holidays bring Australian visitors (March or April)
• Hanoi: Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays — domestic travel peaks (30 April and 1 May)
• Taipei: Tomb Sweeping Day long weekend — busy domestic travel (early April)
• Kyoto: Cherry blossom along the Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park and Arashiyama (usually late March to early April)
• Osaka: Cherry blossom at Osaka Castle Park and along the Okawa River (usually early April)
• Seoul: Cherry blossom festivals at Yeouido and Seokchon Lake (usually early April)
• Tokyo: Cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen and along the Meguro River (usually late March to early April)
• Okinawa: Golden Week holidays begin (late April)
• Beijing: Beijing International Film Festival (usually April)
• Busan: Gijang Anchovy Festival at Daebyeon port (usually April)
• Cebu: Holy Week — busy beaches and religious processions (March or April)
• Fukuoka: Professional baseball season begins (late March or early April)

Daylight in April

Day length on these trips ranges from about 11.9 hours in Bali to 13.2 hours in Baku (sunrise to sunset on 15 April). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.

April weather compared

Questions travellers ask