Leshan Weather in March

In March, downtown Leshan enjoys warm and comfortable temperature. Although there are quite a few rainy days, light drizzle is the main form. Overall, the weather conditions during this time are quite pleasant. However, high-altitude areas of Mount Emei, such as the Golden Summit, experience completely different weather: it is quite cold up there, and both rain and snow are possible.

If visitors want to gain a quiet and leisurely travel experience in Leshan, March is an excellent time to visit, as it is the shoulder tourism season.
 

Golden Summit of Mount Emei

Entering March, this first month of spring, the weather of Leshan turns warm in the whole. Generally speaking, you can expect a daily high of around 17-25 degrees Celsius (63-77 degrees Fahrenheit) and a daily low ranging from 8-15°C (46-59°F). But there are some other key details you need to know so that you can be fully prepared for a Leshan trip in March:

1. Don’t assume that the climate of Leshan is stable in March. Actually, throughout the month, while the mild weather described above is the general trend, Leshan may also experience a few relatively cold days and a few hot ones. Take 2025 as an example: in that year, March 17 was cold at only 7-10°C (45-50°F), while March 26 was hot at 15-32°C (59-90°F).
2. Mount Emei has more complex temperature patterns, influenced by its high altitude. Specifically, the temperature gradually drops with increasing altitude. The temperature at the base of Mount Emei is not much different from that in downtown Leshan, while at the summit, which stands at an elevation of 3,079 meters (10,101 feet), the daily high and low temperatures are approximately 0-10°C (32-50°F) and -5-0°C (23-32°F), respectively. Besides, the apparent temperature will be lower when the wind blows.
 In March, the average monthly precipitation in Leshan is 42 mm, spread over approximately 13 days. This means it rains a bit frequently. However, visitors need not worry too much, as most of the precipitation this month falls as light rain, which has only a little impact on travel. The average humidity this month is 70%, making the air quite moist. Fog is common in the mornings.

At Mount Emei, the average number of days with precipitation reaches about 15. Snow, sleet, and rain are all possible this month. On some days, snow accumulation and rime can be seen on the Golden Summit. The snow-covered mountain is beautiful, but note that the roads will be slippery. The humidity here is slightly higher than in the downtown areas, and in some mornings, the ground may even be damp because of the high humidity. Mount Emei also experiences some foggy days.

Leshan Giant Buddha Scene in March

 Want to see a beautiful sunrise at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei? Then, you need to know that the sun rises at around 07:31 at the beginning of the month and 06:56 at the end of the month. Besides, with the sunset time of around 19:04-19:22, the daylight hours of Leshan in March are around 11.3-12.3 this month. If you think the daytime is not long enough for visiting, you can consider arranging some night activities, like admiring the night view of Suji Ancient Town or taking a nighttime boat tour around the Leshan Giant Buddha. After all, the night is no longer cold in March in downtown.

Sunny moments are not very common in Leshan in March, and the weather is usually rainy, cloudy, or foggy. On average, the sunshine hours are only 2-3 per day. 

Mount Emei Sunset View

  Clothes: When staying in the downtown areas, where the weather is generally warm but a little variable, you need clothes of various thicknesses: long-sleeved T-shirts, thin jackets or knitwear, and thick jackets like leather jackets and trench coats for the upper body, and jeans and sweatpants for the lower body. On warm days, long-sleeved T-shirts, jeans, and knitwear will suffice during the daytime, and long-sleeved T-shirts, jeans, and trench coats are needed during the nighttime. During some noon hours, you may even need to take off the knitwear. On some cold days, however, long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatpants, and leather jackets are recommended to wear during the daytime, and knitwear needs to be added during the nighttime.

When heading to Mount Emei with lower temperature, be sure to wear 3-in-1 jackets or down jackets to keep warm.

 Shoes: Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots are all OK choices. They need to be non-slip, especially if you plan to climb Mount Emei.

 Others: You are recommended to prepare umbrellas for visits to downtown areas and raincoats for visits to mountainous areas.
 Among the 12 months, March is one of the best months to travel around Leshan for the following reasons:

1. The Leshan weather in March is perfect, making you feel comfortable during the trip. To be specific, the temperature is cool or warm, and the rainfall is low, with only some short drizzles. 
2. Belonging to the shoulder season, March can provide visitors with a quiet and wonderful travel experience. For instance, when visiting the famous Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei, you don’t need to wait in long lines, won’t feel crowded, and can easily secure the best viewing spots; and when booking hotels, you can enjoy a low price.
3. Vibrant spring views spread over the city in March.
(1) In mid- to late March, the Mahao River Wetland Park and Wuyou Temple near the Leshan Giant Buddha are both blanketed in golden rapeseed flowers.
(2) Mount Emei also has various flowers in March: From the foot to the summit of the mountain, camellias, primroses, peonies, and alpine rhododendrons bloom in succession.

Golden Rapeseed Flowers in March

 1. There will not be many tourists in March, but if you plan to take a boat tour to see the Leshan Giant Buddha, be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially on weekends, as this is a very popular item.
2. March is the best time to catch beautiful sunrises and sea-of-clouds views at Mount Emei, but be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip to ensure that you will be able to see them.
3. If you have enough time, consider taking the Jiayang steam train to ride through fields of golden rapeseed flowers, which are right in their prime in March.