10 Things to Do in Beijing in March

Spring is one of the best times to visit Beijing. Not only can you escape the extreme temperatures of winter and the sweltering, humid heat of summer, but you'll also find plenty of interesting things to do, including festivals and the city's colourful gardens.

Some of the best things to see and do in Beijing in March include taking some of the best photographs of your trip from the Marco Polo Bridge, attending a concert at the capital's Opera House during the opening of the season, walking the paths of the Old Summer Palace and making the most of the discounts at the Silk Market.

The Yuanxiao Lantern Festival, or Lantern Festival, is a typical event in the Chinese lunar calendar and is held every year on 15 March. This is an important festival in China and particularly in Beijing, as the city is filled with colourful lanterns and people eat glutinous rice dumplings called yuanxiao as part of the festivities. If you visit the capital in March you can take part in this tradition.

During the festival, Beijing dawns with lanterns in the shape of animals, plants and characters from Chinese mythology, which are hung in parks, streets and buildings. Locals enjoy traditional games such as tossing coins in the air or guessing riddles, as well as traditional food. One of the epicentres of the festival is the Forbidden City.

Another important tradition of the Lantern Festival is the parade of dragons and lions, which often includes spectacular performances of acrobatics and traditional dances. Lantern throwing competitions and fireworks displays are also common.

The Peking Opera season is one of the Chinese capital's most distinguished cultural events and opens each year in March, with a performance featuring the local orchestra.

The Peking Opera House is known for its unique architecture and impressive stage, making it one of the most outstanding places to enjoy traditional Chinese opera, which in its concerts performs everything from classical opera to modern works. If you are planning to visit the capital in March, you can enjoy these performances.

Traditional Chinese opera concerts usually also include classical dances and a staging of colourful costumes and decorations, so it is considered a style in itself that has been passed down from generation to generation for over 200 years and is recommended during the best tours of Beijing because it is a traditional activity in the city.

If you want to immerse yourself in the culture and history of China, especially if you plan to travel in March, visiting the local Opera House is an excellent opportunity to enjoy one of the best things to do during the night.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets for performances start at approximately 18 euros per person.
• Location: 2 West Chang'an, Dongcheng, Beijing.
• Opening times: Shows start from 8pm.

March is considered one of the best times to visit Beijing, and not only because of the city's pleasant weather, but also because you can attend one of the most important global events in the Chinese capital, the Beijing International Film Festival.

This festival has been held in Beijing every year since 2011 and is a must-attend event for filmmakers and stars from all over the world, as well as one of the most representative events in Asia. It aims to promote the local film industry and increase cultural interaction between China and other countries. The festival screens films from different genres and countries, including feature films, documentaries and animated films.

In addition to screenings, the festival also includes a series of cultural events and activities, such as panel discussions, seminars, workshops and award ceremonies. The festival has several sections, including the Tiantan Competition, the Asian Cinema section, the Documentary section, the New Talent section and the Star Films section.

This event attracts a large number of celebrities and film personalities, making it an important meeting place for professionals in the entertainment industry. It is also an opportunity for international filmmakers to learn more about Chinese culture and its ever-growing film market.

The festival usually takes place during the second half of March and can extend into early April.

If you are planning to visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing, March is an excellent time to do so. First of all, the weather is quite pleasant. Although it can get chilly at night, during the day temperatures usually reach 15°C, which makes it comfortable for walking and exploring the Great Wall. March is also a dry month in Beijing, so you'll have a better chance of avoiding the rains.

March is also a relatively quiet time to visit the Great Wall. Unlike the summer months, which tend to be crowded with tourists, in the early spring you'll find fewer crowds and you'll be able to take a more leisurely tour and get some of the best photographs.

Finally, March is also an ideal time to enjoy the natural scenery surrounding this historic monument. At this time of year the peach and cherry blossom fields begin to bloom, creating a colourful and verdant atmosphere.

The sakura, which is the cherry blossom, is one of the distinctive symbols of Asian countries. It is particularly famous in Japan, but in China it also has a direct relationship with the local culture and in Beijing, Jingshan Park is the ideal place to discover the cherry blossom in March.

During spring, the cherry trees in the park are covered with pink and white blossoms, creating a unique atmosphere. The best time to enjoy this spectacle is at the end of March, but the exact date may vary depending on weather conditions.

In addition to the cherry blossoms, Jingshan Park has several places of interest, such as Coal Hill, which offers panoramic views of the Forbidden City and downtown Beijing, highlighted by the hutongs. There is also a 9-storey pagoda at the top of the hill, which is a popular place to take pictures and enjoy the view.

Temple Park, located in the centre of Beijing, is famous for its stunning flowering trails in March. Every year when spring arrives, the park becomes a colourful spectacle of flowers, which attracts visitors from all over the world and is often included in the best tours of the city.

Peonies, chrysanthemums and tulips can be found in the park and in early spring these flowers are in full bloom, covering the paths with a carpet of bright colours that is magical for visitors. So if you plan to visit Beijing in March you can visit the gardens to take pictures and enjoy the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.

You can also find some of Beijing's finest temples and ancient pagodas that bear witness to China's rich history. The tranquil atmosphere of the park is also ideal for taking a break between excursions and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The natural beauty of the scenery, combined with its rich history and culture, make this a unique place to include in your travel itinerary.

Named after one of the famous traveller's favourites, the Marco Polo Bridge is one of the longest in the world and offers a breathtaking view of the Yangtze River and the city of Wuhan. In March, with clear skies and dry weather, you can visit to take some of the best pictures of your trip.

From the bridge you can enjoy the panoramic views and if you have your camera with you , you can capture the beauty of the skyline. In addition, there are numerous viewpoints along the walkway that offer different perspectives.

Some of the most popular places to take pictures include the visitor centre, where you can get 360° views of the city and the river, all from this bridge on the outskirts of Beijing that is as much a part of Chinese history as Tiananmen Square or the Forbidden City.

The main tower of the bridge also offers an observation deck from which you can get an even higher view. During your visit in March you will also be able to avoid the large crowds and take your time to capture the best moments.

In March, the Temple of the Lamas in Beijing offers a beautiful natural spectacle during the peach blossom, which is highlighted by pink flowers that create a magical and colourful landscape that you can discover during a walk.

The peach blossom is a very popular event among locals and tourists alike, and attracts crowds of people every year. In addition to enjoying the natural scenery, visitors can also participate in religious ceremonies and activities at the temple such as incense burning and prayer.

Typical food stalls are also set up, which are often included in the best food tours in Beijing.

During this experience, besides enjoying the beauty of nature, you can also learn a little more about Buddhist culture and traditions at this important place of worship.

The Beijing Silk Market, one of the most famous silk markets in China, is a place where visitors can find silk products, clothes, jewellery, watches, handicrafts and many other items. This market is located in the central business district of the city and is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

The seasonal closure of the Beijing Silk Market occurs in March and during this time vendors offer great discounts on their products. It is a great opportunity for shoppers to get incredible bargains, especially on clothing and silk.

Discounts offered during the close season range from 30% to 70% off on products of different quality. In addition, vendors are willing to negotiate prices, so it is always advisable to make a lower offer and try to bargain for an even better price.

Every March brings a great opportunity to get great discounts at the Silk Market, so if you plan to visit Beijing during the third month of the year, don't miss a unique opportunity to get great deals on some of the best Chinese products.

In Beijing, spring food is very popular in March. You can try dishes such as egg roll with onion, glutinous rice with red beans and egg dumplings. The Chinese capital is known for the quality of its food, so don't miss the opportunity to try some of the local dishes during your visit.

Among the most popular spring food dishes in Beijing are spring rolls, which are stuffed with fresh vegetables and served with a sauce. It is also common to eat spring vegetable soup, which is made with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Lacquered duck, which can be enjoyed all year round, is particularly popular during spring, although you can also find it if you visit Beijing in winter, and is one of the classics of the capital's cuisine. It is also considered a celebratory dish served on special occasions.

In March, the temperature in Beijing improves substantially after the winter chill. The minimum is 2°C and the maximum is 16°C, although average temperatures of 14°C are common. In general, I recommend packing warm clothes to cope with the cooler days, but at least you'll avoid the rain.

Towards the end of March the weather becomes warmer and more pleasant, making it an ideal time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore the city before the summer tourists arrive.

March is part of Beijing's low season, so there is a smaller influx of tourists than in summer, although towards the end of the month spring begins to draw visitors as the weather becomes more pleasant and it is a good time to explore outdoor sites such as the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.

In addition, March is the month of the Peach Blossom Festival, an annual event that attracts many visitors to the city to see the beautiful blossom trees and enjoy festival-related activities. It is also a great opportunity to enjoy some of Beijing's best cycling tours.

In general, although the March tourist crowds in Beijing are not as high as in other months, it is still a good idea to book in advance and plan an itinerary to avoid crowds and make the most of your time in the city.

March is considered one of the low season months in Beijing, which means that prices for tourists may be lower compared to the summer months. However, prices can vary depending on various factors and March is a very dynamic month.

Prices for accommodation, meals and transportation in Beijing during March are cheap, as there is less demand from tourists. In addition, some hotels and restaurants may offer special promotions. However, it is worth noting that some tourist sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, maintain the same admission prices throughout the year.

Also, during China's Golden Week, which usually takes place in early March, ticket prices for transport and accommodation may increase due to the large number of tourists visiting the city, especially from the domestic market, but other than that it is an economical time to visit the Chinese capital.

The weather in Beijing in March is dry but a little chilly, especially during the first few days of the month, so I recommend packing your suitcase with the following items:

• Winter coat
• Woollen scarf
• Warm gloves
• Woollen hat
• Warm, comfortable boots or shoes
• Thermal clothing
• Thick trousers
• Woollen jumpers or jackets
• Woollen socks
• Thermal T-shirt