6 Places to Visit in Beijing in March

Yuyuantan Park is one of the largest parks in Beijing downtown. Every March and April, many tourists and local people will come to this park and enjoy cherry blossoms in the Cherry Garden, which is one of the top things to do in Beijing in March. This garden has thousands of cherry trees introduced from Japan, and the total flowering phase can last for two months. In addition to the pink cherry blossoms, verdant weeping willows along the two lakes will also feast your eyes. You can paddle a boat on East Lake or West Lake, and appreciate the terraces and pavilions from a distance. Other famous scenic spots include Liuchun Garden and Landscape Avenue. For children, there are bumper cars and a mini amusement park in the west of Yuyuantan Park.

This river cruise boasts a history of more than 700 years and was exclusive to royal families during Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). The landscape along the river was so enchanting that this entertainment had been Empress Cixi’s (1835-1908) favorite. Willows on the river bank begin to sprout in March, which is earlier than any other tree. Therefore, the greenish willows become the harbinger of spring, and tourists list a spring outing here as a top thing to do in Beijing in March. In addition, you can find many popular attractions scattered along the bank, including Purple Bamboo Park, Wanshou Temple, Summer Palace, Changhe Bridge, and so on. Pleasant temperature, green willows and exquisite buildings make the whole cruise more agreeable. Royal River Cruise also features attractions copied from other places in China. For example, you will be surprised to find Taihu Lake in Jiangsu, Dongting Lake in Hunan, West Lake in Hangzhou and Kunming Pool in Xi’an.

Forbidden City, also called Gu Gong, is the most well-preserved ancient architectural complex in China. It used to be the residence of royal families and the working site for emperors to handle political affairs. When visiting Beijing in March, you can discover a different look of the Forbidden City. The solemn atmosphere coexists with the vigor of spring. In the Imperial Garden, the fragrant and delicate magnolia flowers are ready to greet you. Upon walking into the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kun Ning Gong), you will not be able to move your eyes off the apricot blossoms. Not to mention the pear blossoms in the Palace of Longevity and Good Health (Shou Kang Gong), and the crimson begonias outside the Hall of Literary Glory (Wen Hua Dian) and Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yong Shou Gong). These colorful blossoms form a striking contrast to the red wall and yellow tiles of Forbidden City, which is visually very appealing.

 Recommended Tour:   Beijing Forbidden City Day Tour from $119

Temple of Heaven is the altar where emperors worshiped god and prayed for rainfall and bumper harvests during Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). Now, this place also functions as a park for locals to spend leisure times.  Every March and April, the most popular site may be the large lilac garden inside, while the most fragrant area in the Temple of Heaven could be the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qi Nian Dian) because of the large amount of lilacs are planted outside. No wonder people say that you can only follow the fragrance, instead of the map, to find the altar. Other flowers can also be seen here. Among the pines and cypresses, peach flowers, white jasmines and purple wisteria will be sure to please your eyes. You can even find several flowers with different colors on the same tree. Therefore, Temple of Heaven must be a place to visit in Beijing in March.

 Recommended Tour:   One Day Beijing Temple of Heaven Mini Group Tour from $109

Tanzhe Temple is the oldest temple in Beijing and has a history of more than 1,700 years. Inside the temple are many towering old trees and quaint Buddhist pagodas. However, in March, most people list it as one of the best places to visit in Beijing because of the beautiful magnolia flowers. The branches of the magnolia tree gently shake in the spring breeze, and the light yellow and pink petals smell so good that butterflies and bees keep hovering above them. Such a vibrant atmosphere attaches to those tiny sprouts as they begin to germinate. Since it is a Buddhist temple, tourists can burn incense in Mahavira Hall (Da Xiong Dian) to pray for luck, happiness and health. Another popular attraction is Stone Fish. It is said that if you touch the fish, any disease of your body can be cured. The whole temple is delicately laid out according to the terrain, truly beautiful and tranquil.

This attraction is 65 kilometers (40 miles) north away from Beijing downtown, and features three sections of the Great Wall in water. This results from the rise of water level when people built a reservoir. Surprisingly, such a special landscape can somewhat remind you of the water village in southern China, which adds some tenderness to the magnificent Great Wall. If you visit the site in March, you will be impressed with numerous clusters of pink cherry blossoms, scattered along the ridges, valleys and hillsides. Apricot flowers can also be found in full blossom and bring you a light sweet fragrance. Don’t forget to breathe fresh air in the Chestnut Forest, and feast your eyes on twisting creeks and steep canyons around Black Dragon Pool. If you plan to travel to Beijing in March, this place should be on your 'to do' list.

 Recommended Tour:   One Day Private Huanghuacheng Great Wall Walking from $99

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