Weather: In March, it turns warm and sunny during the day but cools down much at night. Most tourists might find the weather pleasant and comfortable. The weather at this time is some of the best of the year. There isn't much cloud cover, and there are eight hours of sun per day, so expect blue skies.
The nightly low temperature is 9 °C (49 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 23 °C (73 °F). The altitude of the city at 2,400 meters (7,900 feet) makes it feel much warmer when it is sunny, and there is a danger of sunburn.
From day to night, there is a big temperature drop of about 13 °C (24 °F). It rains about 9 days a month, but the total precipitation is only about 13 mm.
Clothing: Prepare for the temperature drop by bringing a coat and dressing in layers. However, for the sunny days, you'll need lighter clothing such as shirts, T-shirts and jeans. To walk in the mountains, bring sunglasses for the sun's glare off the snow and wear waterproof shoes with good traction for the slush and snow.
Altitude Sickness: Most tourists experience it if they stay overnight and especially if they go up to the mountains for a hike. The effects of altitude sickness varies from person to person, so we suggest that you take precautions if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Things to Do in Lijiang in March
See the Sanduo Festival: The local Naxi main god is called Sanduo. There is a festival on the eighth day of the second lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This date often falls in March. As shown in the picture above, some Naxi engage in dancing and performances. There is a ceremony in Baisha at the Beiyue Temple. Baisha is an old Naxi district that is about 11 kilometers north of Lijiang proper.
Jade Dragon Snow MountainSee Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: It is only half an hour from Lijiang, and there is beautiful snowy scenery in March. There is a scenic tram. To go higher, you can walk up to the observation platform at 4,636 meters (15,210 feet) up an especially constructed stairway. Be prepared for the hard climb. Oxygen canisters can be bought from vendors, but it is much cheaper to buy them in Lijiang.
A highlight of this visit is a small glacier. The high altitude scenery is magnificent. It is something to remember, especially if you trek up to the observation post.
Lijiang Old TownLijiang Old Town: There are three districts included in the famed Lijiang Ancient Town that is a UNESCO heritage site. These are the Dayan District in Lijiang proper and the districts of Shuhe and Baisha further north. Tourists enjoy seeing the old architecture and eating the hearty Naxi high-protein dairy and meat dishes.
If you walk towards the outskirts and go north towards Baisha and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, there are quieter and more traditional Naxi areas. The Naxi locals make their own distinctive delicious cuisine more authentically, and you'll find lower prices for meals and local products.
Touring Lijiang in March
Low Travel Season
March and early April is probably the best time to go to Lijiang. Not only is there relatively good weather, but it is low travel season as well. At the end of April, both tourism and rainfall increases much. Lijiang is a popular destination for Chinese domestic travel, so it is crowded during high season.
In March, flight tickets and train tickets will be easier to obtain, and room rates are lower. Let us help you visit this area and book your tickets and rooms.
Recommended Lijiang Tours
3-day Essence of Lijiang Tour — including ancient towns, minority cultures, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious murals
7-Day Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Tour — exploring Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang
8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour — taking you to meet the amazing beauty of Yunnan
All our tours can be customized. Feel free to contact us and we will create a trip based on your requirements