Four Seasons in Nanjing · Springtime Splendour

Nanjing, with its distinct subtropical monsoon climate, experiences four well-defined seasons. The city receives ample rainfall, averaging 1,200 millimetres annually, with an average yearly temperature of 15.4°C. While spring and autumn are fleeting, winter and summer dominate with marked temperature contrasts. Spring is mild and sunny, the plum rains bring steady drizzle, summer is scorching, autumn dry and cool, and winter crisp and cold. Each season paints Nanjing in unique hues, giving rise to poetic depictions: “Spring at Niushou’s misty hills,” “Summer clouds over Zhongfu Mountain,” “Autumn vistas at Qixia,” and “Winter snows over Stone City.”

The Awakening of Spring in Nanjing

Spring in Nanjing typically begins in late March or early April and lasts until late May or early June, spanning 60–70 days. During this transitional period, cold and warm air masses clash, creating capricious weather patterns that make “spring feel like all four seasons.” With daytime temperatures averaging 11°C and night-time around 3°C, residents often dress in layers - light sweaters, jackets, and coats - to navigate the varying temperatures.

Spring unfolds in Nanjing like an artist’s masterpiece, where every stroke breathes warmth and vitality into the landscape. The gentle spring breeze awakens the slumbering earth, imbuing the city with an air of renewal. Nanjing in spring is a symphony of blossoms, a celebration of nature in full bloom.

The first harbingers of spring are the plum blossoms on Plum Blossom Hill. Stretching across the hillsides, they create a dazzling display of pink and white, their delicate fragrance perfuming the air. Soon after, the cherry blossoms at Jiming Temple unfurl their pastel pink petals, forming a mist-like canopy that captivates countless visitors. In spring, the city is enveloped in a sea of floral beauty and natural charm, a gift from the earth to its inhabitants.

Spring’s Poetic Charm

The renowned poet Su Shi once captured the essence of Nanjing’s spring in his verse:
"Amid the bamboo, peach blossoms bloom,
Ducks know spring’s arrival from the warming river."

This vivid imagery epitomises the city’s springtime allure. Spring in Nanjing is not merely a visual delight, it’s a soulful dialogue with nature. One might hike Niushou Mountain to feel the earth stirring to life, fly kites at Purple Mountain and release the weight of winter, or stroll along Xuanwu Lake, where animals frolic and tender green buds signal the world’s awakening.

A Gentle Portrait of a City

Nanjing’s seasons, each with its own unique beauty, reflect the city’s charm, but spring is undoubtedly its gentlest tableau. Its residents, embodying the boldness of the north and the delicacy of the south, savour life amidst the soft embrace of spring. Every corner of this historic city bears witness to the passage of time, imbued with the deep affection of its people.

Spring in Nanjing is a feast for the senses, a season not to be missed. Whether enjoying blossoms, exploring verdant hills, or simply feeling the caress of the spring breeze along city streets, this season leaves an indelible impression. It is more than the renewal of nature; it is a testament to the harmony between the people of Nanjing and their environment, a celebration of life’s serene rhythm.