China Weather in March and Places to Go

March in China sees the start of spring after the cold months of winter. The weather varies greatly between the regions on account of the massive territory of the country. Overall, March is a fairly pleasant time for regular outdoor sightseeing and indoor explorations if one gets dressed appropriately.

North China: Beijing, Tianjin, Xian, Harbin and Inner Mongolia
In north China, everything starts to warm up in the daytime with an average 1-10 °C (29-50 Fahrenheit degree), but it is still chilly at night. Beijing, Tianjin and Xian may also see some sandstorm and foggy days in this month, but the situation takes a turn for better in recent years.
Clothing Guide: heavy coat, fleece, wind-proof jacket, boots.

Central China: Chengdu, Wuhan, Luoyang, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze River (Chongqing - Yichang)
Though some warm air blows in most areas, Central China is still going through the cold days and the damp. Many inland cities like Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan would be sometimes foggy and drizzly. For example, the average temperature of Chengdu is 8–17°C (46–63 °F) in March, which makes it an ideal time to see pandas.
Clothing Guide: overcoat, warm trousers, sweater, wind coat, pullover.

South China: Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Guilin
In the south, it is already very warm and comfortable during both the day and night in March. The temperature is generally above 15°C (59°F), which is lovely enough for you to wear shirts and shorts. Since half the month would see train, it is essential to prepare rain gears.
Clothing Guide: thin coat, shirts, shorts, slippers, sandals and raincoats.

West and Northwest China: Yunnan, Guizhou, Tibet, Qinghai, Silk Road Destinations
The west China is still dry and cold in March, seeing many misty and snowy days in some high-altitude areas like Qinghai and Tibet. There is a big temperature gap between day and night, and it is common to experience evenings of below-freezing coldness. Along the Silk Road, there is a large possibility that one may encounter dusty wind. However, the best weather might be expected in west China like Yunnan where the warm spring comes earlier.
Clothing Guide: down jacket, warm trousers, wind breaker, boots and hats.

You can visit China's top three destinations including Beijing, Xian and Shanghai all year around since the travel experience would be little affected by the weather. Though it is still a bit chill in March, you can definitely travel in comfort by dressing appropriately. Check below other ideal places to go in March.

• Guilin: Though there might be some drizzles expected from March, it is the best time to see the karst peaks alongside Li River enshrouded by mists that you cannot meet as often as in other months. You are promised with superb photography chances for China’s most prestigious landscape.
• Hangzhou: The first gasp of spring air in Hangzhou could be found at the city's central oasis, the West Lake. As a hot spot for both locals and travelers, West Lake presents visitors delightful experience of wandering along the willow-lined causeways.
• Wuyuan: Nestled at the foot of Yellow Mountain, Wuyuan fully shows off its charms in March by swathes of lemon rape flowers accompanied by ancient Hui-style folk buildings. It turns a paradise for shutter bugs and art students.

• Yunnan: You can experience a comfortable sightseeing in warm days of Yunnan. Places like Kunming, Dali and Lijiang are highly recommended for a discovery of picturesque villages and fascinating minority culture through their ethnic festivals.
• Suzhou: March is wonderful time to tour the classic Chinese gardens where willows and flowers strive to sprout, while the morning mists provide good opportunities for you to photograph the dreamy water towns like Tongli and Zhouzhuang.

• Nyingchi (Tibet): In March, Tibet is still in winter except Nyingchi, a breathtaking lowland valley in the upper reached of Yangtze River. Spring falls early in Nyingchi, bringing a wonderland of peach blossoms in March.

1. The weather is warming up in March but it still feels chilly sometimes. You need pack plenty of layers for a China trip, and most importantly, don't forget your wind-proof jacket and rain boots.
2. Following the big Chinese New Year holidays, March doesn't have any public holidays for domestic tourists. Therefore, March is a great time for international tourists to explore major tourist destinations with fewer crowds.
3. It is not advisable to go hiking or mountaineering in central and south China because of the rain and damp.
4. Shanghai holds an annual Peach Blossom Festival in March, which is quite a scene worthy a photography chance.