Both seasons are good in East China, so choose by the crowds you can avoid, not by a score. Spring brings blossom and garden walks. Autumn brings clearer days and an easier evening by the water.
Your leave days are the real limit, and that is a fair way to decide. This guide ties each season to China’s public holidays, so you can see which weeks to move.
What is each season like?
Keep the picture simple, and treat forecasts as the final word. Spring is the season of blossom and changeable showers, which suits gardens and the lakeside. Autumn is softer and clearer, which suits long walks and the Bund in the evening.
| Point | Spring | Autumn |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Fresh, green, blossom | Calm, golden, clear |
| Good for | Gardens, lakes, tea hills | Walking, city views, photos at dusk |
| Main risk | Showers and holiday crowds | Early typhoon tail, holiday crowds |
| Pack | Layers and a compact umbrella | Layers and a thin jacket |
Which weeks should you avoid?
Avoid China’s long public holidays, when whole families travel at once. In 2026 the Qingming holiday ran 4 to 6 April[1], and Labour Day ran 1 to 5 May[2].
In autumn, the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday was 25 to 27 September[3], followed by National Day Golden Week, which ran 1 to 7 October[4]. As of 19 October 2026 the 2027 schedule had not been published, and it normally appears in early to mid November[5]. Check it before you fix dates.
What about typhoons?
Plan a spare day, not a worry. Shanghai, Hangzhou and coastal Jiangsu are rated medium typhoon risk, mainly from flooding[6]. China’s main typhoon season is July to September, though typhoons can occur from May to December[7].
That makes spring the calmer choice for weather risk, and early autumn the one to watch. Buy flexible bookings where you can, and leave the last day light.
Where do photographers do best?
Choose the place first, then the season. West Lake in Hangzhou was inscribed by UNESCO in 2011[8], and most of the lakeside has been free to enter since 2002, though some sites inside still charge[9].
Free access means crowds, so be at the water early and book your hotel close to it. Suzhou’s classical gardens were inscribed in 1997[10], and they suit slow mornings before the tour buses arrive. Our Hangzhou hotel area guide helps you pick a base near the lake.
Which should you choose?
Choose spring if you want blossom and gentler weather risk, and accept showers. Choose autumn if you want clear light and long walks, and watch early typhoon forecasts. In either season, avoid the public holiday weeks and take the extra day for rest.
Our circuit guide for first-timers shows how many days the main towns need, and the pace checker tests a draft before you commit. If Beijing is also on your list, read whether to combine East China with Beijing. The regions topic page lists the other parts of China.