Qingdao Weather in March

March feels brisk

Qingdao is starting to turn towards spring, but March still feels chilly by the sea. Expect cool days and colder evenings; the high reaches 9°C and the low 3°C. Rain is limited to about three days, with around six and a half hours of sun a day, so you'll often get clear spells between cloudy patches.

It's a good month for walking the old streets around Badaguan or visiting the Tsingtao Beer Museum without summer heat. The coastal wind can make a stroll along the shore feel colder than the numbers suggest. Save long beach days and swims for warmer months.

What's on, and how busy is it?

March doesn't have a major annual Qingdao festival to plan around. China's Arbor Day falls on March 12, but it's not a big visitor event. Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival sometimes fall in March, though their dates change each year.

If you hate crowds, March is a quieter choice than May, October or the summer beer festival season. Prices are generally lower than in those busier periods, too, though local holidays can bring more visitors when they coincide with the month.

Make the most of a cool day

With only around three wet days on average, you can fit sightseeing into most days. Still, keep a flexible indoor option for a cold or cloudy spell: the Tsingtao Beer Museum is an easy switch from a windy waterfront walk.

Travelling with kids? The aquarium by Lu Xun Park gives you a sheltered break near the coast. For a local meal, try mackerel dumplings in Shinan District, where you can warm up after walking through Badaguan. Check the sea breeze before setting out along the shore; Qingdao can feel much colder there than inland.