Beijing in March Travel Guide (Weather, Wear, Events & Tips)

In Beijing, the winter-long indoor heating will be turned off on the official date of March 15 of each year. That means a harsh and freezing weather has left us.

The Weather in March in Beijing

With the passing of the dry and harsh January and February, March foresees the local weather will become warmer and warmer. But people can still feel a bit chilly in March, especially in the first half month of March.

The average temperature in Beijing in March is 0℃ -12 ℃： the average temperature at night is 0℃.；average daily maximum temperature: 12℃.

The drawback about the weather in March is the possible sandstorms which often hit the city during the month. The whole month is in the shoulder tourist season. In the first half March, crowds level is quite low due to the chilly weather.

Note: The possibility of sandstorms in March is getting less in recent  years due to the years’ massive forestation around Beijing.

What to Wear and Pack in Beijing in March

The average temperature at night is 0℃：It is recommended to wear warm clothes such as leather jackets, overcoats, thick sweaters, or thin down jacket, hats, and gloves.

The average daytime temperature is 12℃: It is recommended to wear suits, jackets, windbreakers, casual wear, jackets, suits, thin sweaters and other warm clothes.

If you don’t want to pack or carry heavy warm clothes all the way from your home country, you may purchase them here in Beijing. Major department stores and free markets sell various kinds of winter clothes. Many travellers would like to go the Silk Street Market for shopping: see  Top 10 Markets in Beijing.

Check the historical data below to better appreciate your travel experience in Beijing – how to pack and how to wear for your Beijing tour.

Historical Climate Data for March in Beijing

This past 50-year historical weather data is quite useful for you to plan your trip to Beijing well in advance.  You may use the data to decide what to wear and pack on your coming trip to Beijing.

By the way you may also check our  Beijing March Realtime Weather Photos  for more vivid and timely information on the Beijing weather in March.

What is there to do in Beijing in March?

In the later half March, crowds level is higher since the weather in late March is a little warmer. Well plan your Beijing tour in advance if you visit Beijing in late March.

1. Lianghui 两会 ( Two Sessions )

Lianghui , literally “two meetings”,  refers  to the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The two meetings last about one week which ends at Mid March.

The Two Meetings are often regarded as  the Senate, house of Representatives in China. These are the most important political meetings in Beijing China.

2. Awakening of Insects on March 05 惊蛰

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar classifies the year into 24 solar terms. Awakening of Insects  falls on March 5 and it signifies a rise in temperature and increased rainfall.

Its name tells the fact that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life.

3. March 8 International Women’s Day 三八妇女节

On this special day, some attractions in Beijing offer free entrance tickets to female visitors. Some working units allow female workers half day off or with extra pay if  they are too busy to have day or half day off. Some markets or shopping malls will give more discounts to female buyers to increase business.

4. China Tree Planting Day (Arbor Day) 植树节

March 12 is China’s Trees Planting Day.  It is getting warmer in Beijing. Beijing celebrates Arbor Day with tree planting.  Beijing has established over 100 reception points for urban residents to “adopt” trees or green land.

5. World Consumer Rights Day 消费者权益日

World Consumer Rights Day was established on 15 March 1983 to promote consumer rights around the world.  On this special day, in Beijing, you will see a CC TV evening gala sponsored by the government to crack down the poor quality products and companies without trust and reputation.

6. Hand in Hand Poverty Alleviation Program 
手拉手情系贫困小伙伴全国统一行动日

March 16 is the special day for Hand in Hand Poverty Alleviation Program. This event  is mainly used to help children and other vulnerable groups in poverty stricken areas. People will donate on this special day.

7.  Chinese Medical Festival  中国国医节

March 17 is Chinese Medical Festival which dates back to the year 1929. On this special day, some hospitals would go on to the streets in Beijing for complimentary health checks and other medical activities involved.

8.  Plum Blossom Festival at Ming Dynasty City Wall Relics Park
明城墙梅花节

Plums are the early flowering trees that bloom as earlier as mid March in Beijing and end in mid April. The best place to see plum blossoms is Ming Dynasty City Wall Relics Park.

The park is located just south of Beijing Railway Station. The park is the only remaining city wall relics built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Beijing.

The remnant city wall is about 1.5km in length, which is composed of the wall relics itself and the southeast corner tower of the former inner city in Ming and Qing Dynasties.

9. Beijing Yuyuantan Cherry Blossom Festival
玉渊潭公园樱花节

Yuyuantan Cherry Blossom Festival is the largest of this kind in the northern China. The festival is run by Yuyantan Park Administration with the main venue at Yuyuantan Park.

There are about 2000 cherry trees of over 30 different species, many of which were gifts from Japan when the two countries re-opened diplomatic ties in the 1970s. The lake is also well know for boating. You are able to cruise from the lake to Summer Palace.

What is unique about the cherry blossoms in Yuyuantan Park is that it generally has two kinds of cherry blossoms – Early Blossoms and late blossoms.

Early cherry blossoms boom: late March and only a week for viewing.
Late cherry blossoms: from mid April to late April for half a month.

Time: late March – April 30
Entrance Fee: 10 Yuan
Opening time: 6:00 am to 8:30 pm (ticket office closes).
Venue: Yuyuantan Park
Tel: 88653804
How to get there
To South gate: Take Subway Line 1 and get off at the Military Museum Stop.

10. Spring Equinox on March 20 春分

The Spring Equinox, as the fourth term of the year starts on March 20. The Spring Equinox signifies the equal length of the day and night time.

Beijing Travel Guide in Each Month (Weather, What to do)

Tip:  Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours

If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Beijing:

Beijing Springtime tour
Car Rental in Beijing
Beijing Day Tour
Beijing Tour Packages
Beijing Winter tour
Great Wall Tour
Beijing Tour
China City Tours
China Tour

Further Readings

Best Time to Visit Beijing
How to plan a trip to Beijing

Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
Top 10 Tourist Scams Beijing
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites

Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping

Wangfujing Night Snack Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Beijing Huguosi Street

Any questions, just drop a line.