A Month-by-Month China Travel Guide: Where to Travel in China in March
A year-round guide to discovering China’s most beautiful, culturally rich, and seasonally perfect destinations.
March is when China starts to soften. The cold recedes, the light lingers longer, and across the country, landscapes burst into bloom — from plum and peach blossoms in the east to golden rapeseed fields in the southwest. Rivers swell with meltwater, forests wake from sleep, and ancient towns reflect a quieter side of travel before the April crowds arrive. It’s the perfect time to walk, wander, and watch the country stretch into spring.
March
The First True Spring
Wuhan, Hebei
Lakeside blossoms and rebirth in the city of bridges
Wuhan is often overlooked, but in March, it becomes one of China’s best cherry blossom destinations. With broad lakes, historic campuses, and a strong sense of local identity, the city is a breath of fresh spring air.
Top things to do:
Visit Wuhan University during cherry blossom season — it’s one of China’s most beloved bloom spots.
Walk along East Lake (Donghu), the largest urban lake in China.
Explore Hubu Alley for breakfast — hot dry noodles, tofu skins, and spicy wontons await.
Take a Yangtze River ferry at sunset and see the skyline light up.
What to eat: Hot dry noodles (reganmian), duck necks, lotus root soup, and layered sesame pancakes.
Travel tips:
Cherry blossoms usually peak in the second half of March.
Avoid weekends at blossom hotspots — try early mornings or weekdays.
Consider adding nearby Jingzhou or the Three Gorges area if you want river history.
Wuxi, Jiangsu
Early sakura, Taihu breezes, and lakeside tranquility
Just an hour from Shanghai, Wuxi is often called the “little Kyoto” of China thanks to its cherry trees, classical gardens, and Buddhist temples. In March, it’s full of soft color and gentle sun — perfect for a lake escape.
Top things to do:
Stroll through Turtle Head Isle (Yuantouzhu) on Taihu Lake, famous for cherry blossoms.
Visit Lingshan Grand Buddha — one of China’s largest — and its spiritual theme park.
Relax in Lianghong Wetland Park or explore Jichang Garden for classic Jiangnan landscaping.
Take a boat across Taihu Lake with views of tea fields and fishing villages.
What to eat: Taihu white fish, Wuxi-style pork ribs (sweet and sticky), steamed buns, and cherry blossom pastries.
Travel tips:
The best cherry blossom views are around late March, with quieter paths in early spring.
Combine with Suzhou or Lili for a full Jiangnan garden-and-water-town experience.
Don’t miss the seasonal sakura-themed snacks sold around Yuantouzhu.
Nyingchi, Tibet
Peach blossom valleys and Himalayan serenity
Tibet is mostly snowbound in March — except for Nyingchi, a lush lower-altitude region that welcomes the year’s first true Himalayan spring. Peach blossoms bloom in full glory beneath snow-capped peaks. It’s a surreal and spiritual experience.
Top things to do:
Attend the Peach Blossom Festival, typically held in late March, across villages like Gala and Bomi.
Trek through the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, one of the world’s deepest.
Stay in local guesthouses and witness prayer flags fluttering above pastel hillsides.
Visit tranquil temples and riverside retreats few travelers ever see.
What to eat: Highland barley bread, Tibetan butter tea, wild mushrooms, and roasted lamb.
Travel tips:
You’ll need a Tibet travel permit and a registered local guide — plan ahead.
Nyingchi’s elevation (3,000m) is lower than Lhasa — a good intro to Tibet.
Weather is cool but not freezing — ideal for photography and easy hikes.
Guizhou (Anshun, Kaili, Libo)
Miao culture, waterfalls, and blooming mountain valleys
March in Guizhou means new green, misted mountains, and the season’s first village festivals. Anshun’s Huangguoshu Waterfall roars at full force, while Kaili and Libo offer a mix of ethnic heritage and springtime forest beauty. It’s off-the-radar for most — but endlessly rewarding.
Top things to do:
Visit Huangguoshu, China’s largest waterfall, and walk the water-curtain cave behind it.
Explore Miao and Dong villages around Kaili with stilt houses, embroidery, and silverwork.
Hike in Libo’s Zhangjiang Scenic Area, with karst canyons, turquoise streams, and bamboo groves.
Attend a local Sister’s Meal Festival or spring market if timing aligns.
What to eat: Sour fish soup, sticky rice with chili, smoked bacon, and fresh herbs.
Travel tips:
Weather is cool and misty — great for walking, but bring layers.
Public transport is limited — hiring a driver or joining a small group tour is ideal.
Guizhou’s high-speed train network now connects Kaili, Anshun, and Guiyang easily.
Wuyuan, Jiangxi
Golden fields, white-walled villages, and spring’s first spectacle
Wuyuan is often called China’s most beautiful countryside, and in March, it earns the title with layers of bright rapeseed flowers winding around misty hills and centuries-old villages. Photographers and painters flock here, but even casual walkers will be stunned by the dreamlike scenery.
Top things to do:
Visit villages like Likeng, Jiangling, and Huangling for classic views: white-walled homes nestled in yellow fields.
Walk ridge trails above the fields for panoramic photo spots.
Stay in a heritage guesthouse and wake to morning mist and bird calls.
Visit Rainbow Bridge in Qinghua Town, one of China’s most beautiful covered wooden bridges.
What to eat: Steamed river fish with yellow wine, stir-fried tea sprouts, local tofu skin, and wild vegetable dumplings.
Travel tips:
Peak bloom typically runs mid-March to early April — but come early to avoid crowds.
Stay 2–3 nights to explore the villages on foot instead of rushing by car.
Combine with nearby Jingdezhen if you're into ceramics and cultural heritage.
Lili Ancient Town, Jiangsu
Canals, cobblestones, and quiet spring mornings
Just 90 minutes from Shanghai, Lili is one of Jiangnan’s most authentic water towns — far less touristy than Wuzhen or Zhouzhuang, yet full of old-world charm. In March, it’s painted in soft rain and the pink of early peach blossoms.
Top things to do:
Drift through the town’s quiet canals on a wooden boat.
Visit the Hundred-Room Hall, a beautifully preserved mansion and maze.
Stop for tea and poetry at one of the riverside courtyards.
Catch locals drying spring vegetables, playing chess, or brushing calligraphy in doorways.
What to eat: Steamed pork buns, freshwater shrimp with spring greens, sweet green rice balls, and dried plum soup.
Travel tips:
Midweek visits offer true peace — you may have entire alleys to yourself.
Bring a raincoat or umbrella — the drizzle is part of the poetry.
Lili also makes a great overnight stop between Suzhou and Shanghai.
March is a month of promise. Flowers begin to bloom, festivals return to village squares, and mist lifts to reveal some of the country’s most serene and painterly landscapes. It’s when you trade snow boots for walking shoes, and when once-silent parks, lakes, and valleys burst into color. Whether you're marveling at peach blossoms in remote Tibetan canyons or tracing stone paths through golden villages in Jiangxi, March offers a slow, beautiful beginning to the travel season.
Planning a spring escape? Start shortlisting your favorites and follow Uncovering Cities for upcoming features on April – when the season hits full bloom and road trip season truly begins.