01Weather
Beijing weather in March
Afternoons in March average 15.9 °C (61 °F) and nights cool to 1.7 °C (35 °F). The month brings about 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain spread over roughly 4 days. Compared with February it is 8.6 °C warmer; April is 7.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 23 °C / 73 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 10 °C / 49 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -4 °C / 25 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 12.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 13 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest March day 2016–2025 | 29.1 °C / -8.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 06:47 | 18:05 | 11.3 h |
| 15 March | 06:25 | 18:20 | 11.9 h |
| 31 March | 05:59 | 18:37 | 12.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 78 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy Beijing is in March
moderate The main sights are moderate in March. What drives it:
- Two Sessions security
- dust storms
- warming days
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
No public holidays in China fall in March, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Beijing in March
No major recurring events fall in March.
07Packing
What to pack for Beijing in March
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- gloves: frost on about 13 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March warms quickly, with afternoons around 16 °C, though dust storms from the north can arrive on windy days and turn the sky yellow for an afternoon. The Two Sessions political meetings in early March tighten security around Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People. Crowds remain low. It is a good month for the museums and the hutongs before spring tourism begins. Rain is rare, about three days.
The magnolias and the first blossoms appear at the end of the month in the Summer Palace. The heating season ends on 15 March, and air quality improves. The Forbidden City's timed tickets are easy to book. Daylight passes twelve hours at the equinox. For the best spring month and the Qingming holiday, see April.
09Compare
Beijing month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -9 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 7 °C | -6 °C | 3 | – | moderate | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 2 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 23 °C | 8 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 29 °C | 14 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 33 °C | 20 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| July | 33 °C | 23 °C | 12 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 32 °C | 22 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| September | 28 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 7 °C | 5 | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 12 °C | 0 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 5 °C | -8 °C | 1 | – | quiet | Good |
Not sure about March? See the best time to visit Beijing.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in March | 13 °C | – |
| Shanghai in March | 17 °C | 12 |
| Kyoto in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Tokyo in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Bangkok in March | 35 °C | – |
| Singapore in March | 32 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Beijing in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit Beijing?
March is a good month to visit Beijing. Daytime highs average 16 °C (61 °F), rain falls on about 4 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Beijing in March?
Expect cool days around 16 °C (61 °F) and nights near 2 °C (35 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 23 °C, and one in ten stays below 10 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in March?
March brings about 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain over roughly 4 days, which is dry by Beijing standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 13 percent.
What should I wear in Beijing in March?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Beijing crowded in March?
The main sights are moderate in March. Main drivers: Two Sessions security; dust storms; warming days.
What time does it get dark in Beijing in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 18:20 and rises at 06:25, giving 11.9 hours of daylight.