Best destinations to visit in March in Asia
Best destinations to visit in March in Asia
Asia moves quickly toward warmer weather in March, though how warm depends heavily on where you land.
Southeast Asia heats up fast this month, edging toward its hottest stretch of the year, with humidity building alongside the temperature. Many places in South Asia celebrate Holi in March, a colorful festival that draws travelers to cities and towns across the region, though the exact date shifts each year with the lunar calendar. East Asia starts to thaw, with cherry blossom season beginning in parts of Japan toward the end of the month. Ski resorts across the region's colder areas hold onto their final weeks of snow before the season wraps up. Travelers hoping to catch both the last snow and the first blossoms sometimes plan a trip that spans both within the same country.
The destinations on our list for Asia reflect that same range, from early blossoms to the last of the season's snow.
Lists by region
Country
Vietnam
Ancient charm meets natural wonder
This S shaped country stretches about 1,000 miles from north to south. The centre is dry in March, so Hoi An's lantern lit streets and the beaches near Da Nang are pleasant. Hanoi is mild. Ha Long Bay has about 1,600 limestone islands and earned UNESCO status in 1994.
Country
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal between 1632 and 1653 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It earned World Heritage status in 1983. March brings sunny days before the summer heat, with Agra highs near 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan also have warm dry days.
City in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
Cherry trees bloom in Ueno Park and along the Meguro River, usually opening in late March. Picnickers spread tarps under the trees for hanami. At night paper lanterns glow and the petals drift onto the water. Chidorigafuchi moat is a favourite spot for boat rides under the blossoms.
Country
South Korea
Tradition meets modern innovation
Plum blossoms open in mid March at the Gwangyang Maehwa festival in the south. Yellow canola flowers cover fields on Jeju, where cherry blossoms start in late March. Seoul follows in early April. Mild days and clear skies make walks along rivers and palace walls pleasant.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Mountains ring this basin city on three sides. Plum blossoms open at Kitano Tenmangu in early March. Cherry blossoms follow in late March along the Philosopher's Path. Thousands of red torii gates climb the hillside at Fushimi Inari. Temples and gardens fill every district of the old capital.
City in Japan
Hiroshima
Peace Park, okonomiyaki and Miyajima ferry
The Atomic Bomb Dome stands beside Peace Memorial Park as a reminder of 1945. It joined UNESCO's list in 1996. Nearby Miyajima has a shrine gate that appears to float at high tide. Cherry blossoms start to open in late March along the rivers of the city.
Country
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Cool spring air and blooming black irises greet hikers in the hills in March. Days near 70 degrees Fahrenheit suit the long walk through the siq into Petra. The Nabataean city earned UNESCO status in 1985. Wadi Rum has red sand and rock arches under clear skies.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
March falls in the dry season that runs from December to April. Calm seas and clear water suit diving and snorkelling. The country has about 1,190 coral islands in 26 atolls. Water stays near 84 degrees Fahrenheit all month. Whale sharks gather around South Ari Atoll.
Country
Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
King Kasyapa built a palace on top of Sigiriya, a 200 metre rock, in the fifth century. Frescoes of women line the climb. UNESCO listed the site in 1982. The south coast is dry and sunny in March. Blue whales feed off Mirissa until about April.
Island in Philippines
Palawan
Paradise of Lagoons and Limestone Cliffs
This long, narrow island stretches about 280 miles and its province is the largest in the Philippines. The dry season runs through March. El Nido has limestone cliffs rising from bright lagoons. Coron has Japanese shipwrecks from 1944 for divers. The Underground River is a UNESCO site.
Country
Nepal
Land of Himalayan wonders
Locals celebrate Fagu Purnima, their Holi festival, with coloured powder and water in March. Rhododendrons, the national flower, bloom on trails around Annapurna. Clear mornings give long views of the Himalayas. Kathmandu Valley temples earned UNESCO status in 1979. Spring is also a busy trekking season.
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