Leshan Weather in April

April is one of the best months to visit Leshan. At this time of year, the weather is warm here. Though light showers are common, they mostly occur in the evenings. The climate on Mount Emei is relatively cold, but the temperature is gradually rising. Moreover, whether in downtown Leshan or on Emei Mountain, there are lush trees and colorful flowers everywhere.  

As long as you avoid the Qingming Festival holiday in early April, you can steer clear of the crowded visitors this month.
 In April, the overall weather of Leshan downtown areas is very comfortable: the daytime is generally warm, though it can get slightly hot at midday on some sunny days; the nighttime is relatively cool, but it no longer feels cold. Specifically, the daily high typically ranges from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius (72-82 degrees Fahrenheit), and it may occasionally drop below 20°C (68°F) or rise to 30°C (86°F). The daily low generally is between 12 and 18°C (54-64°F), and it may occasionally fall below 10°C (50°F) or reach 20°C (68°F).

For visitors planning to visit Mount Emei, you should also pay attention to the temperature at the summit, known as the Golden Summit. On sunny days, the daytime high can reach around 6-12°C (43-54°F); on cloudy or rainy days, the daytime high may be as low as 3-7°C (37-45°F). If you plan to watch the sunrise, please note that the temperature at the Golden Summit at that time may be as low as 0-5°C (32-41°F).

Visit Mount Emei in April

 In April, the average monthly rainfall in downtown Leshan is around 85 mm, with rainy days accounting for about half the month - an average of 15 days. This doesn’t mean your chances of encountering sunny weather are slim: on the one hand, rain this month consists mainly of light showers, with moderate rain occurring only occasionally; on the other hand, most of the rain falls at night. The air is humid, and fog is common in the early morning.

Precipitation is more frequent on Mount Emei. As for the form of precipitation, it is generally rain, but snow is also possible. Most of the time, precipitation will not last long, whether it’s rain or snow. Fog is even more common up here.

Street Scene of Leshan in April

 

Leshan Giant Buddha

Entering April, Leshan welcomes longer and longer daylight hours. At the beginning of the month, the daytime is long at around 12.3 hours, with the sunrise at around 06:55 and sunset at 19:23. By the end of the month, the daytime reaches around 13.2 hours, and the sunrise and sunset times are 06:24 and 19:40, respectively. Besides, a useful piece of information you should know is that thanks to longer daytime, many attractions extend their opening hours in April. For example, the Leshan Giant Buddha opens from 07:30 to 18:30, instead of 08:00-17:30; and the Wannian Cableway of Mount Emei changes its opening hours from 07:30-18:00 to 07:00-18:00. So, expect to have more available visiting time and a leisurely trip.

As mentioned above, Leshan in April has many rainy, overcast, and foggy moments, so sunshine is precious and scarce, with only 3-4 sunshine hours per day on average.
  Clothes
For downtown Leshan: During the daytime, a short-sleeve or long-sleeve T-shirt, lightweight pants, and a light jacket make for a suitable outfit. Females can also wear a dress with a shirt. In particularly warm afternoons, you might not even need a jacket. However, in some evenings, you need to wear a slightly heavier jacket, such as a denim jacket, to keep warm.

For Mount Emei: On sunny days, a long-sleeve quick-dry base layer, thick sweatpants, and a windproof outer shell of a three-in-one jacket will suffice. However, on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, you will need to add the inner layer of the three-in-one jacket, or simply wear a down jacket.

 Shoes
Comfortable and non-slip sneakers or hiking shoes are all OK. If you plan to visit Mount Emei, it’s best if they are waterproof.

 Others
1. The climate of Leshan is a little rainy in April, and you are recommended to bring both a raincoat and an umbrella - the former is handy for sightseeing at Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha on rainy days, while the latter is convenient for strolling around the city in the rain.
2. For trips to Mount Emei on a sunny day, you will need a baseball cap.
 In April, Leshan is brimming with the vibrant sights of spring. Roses and crabapples bloom profusely along the roadsides, and attractions such as the Leshan Giant Buddha and Wuyou Temple are all surrounded by lush greenery. The Qingyi River is emerald green, the Min River is crystal clear, and the Dadu River has a slightly yellowish tint. In Mount Emei, besides lush forests, blooming alpine rhododendrons and dove tree flowers can be spotted. 

Sea of Clouds on Mount Emei

 1. For most of April, Leshan will not be very crowded. However, during the Qingming Festival, which falls on April 3-5 in 2027, many tourists will arrive in the city to visit Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha, leading to crowded attractions and high accommodation prices. You are recommended to avoid visiting Leshan during this period. If you fail to do so, to ensure a relatively better travel experience, you need to:
(1) Make reservations in advance. Booking hotels early can help you save some money, and booking attraction tickets in advance can ensure you visit every site that you are interested in without a hitch.
(2) Set out and arrive at the attractions early each day. Taking the Leshan Giant Buddha as an example, there are generally few visitors before 8:30, and then, after 9:00, the crowds start to grow quickly.
2. For visits to Mount Emei:
(1) Be sure to dress according to the weather forecast, as the temperature varies significantly from day to day.
(2) As the weather gradually warms up, the monkeys here become increasingly active. Though they are adorable, remember to stay safe and guard against being attacked by them. For example, do not feed or tease them, and keep all food you bring in your backpack.
3. From early to mid-April, tickets for the Jiayang steam train are in high demand, since it is the peak time to enjoy the tung blossoms on the sides, so be sure to purchase them in advance if you are interested. 

Monkeys on Mount Emei