March is the beginning of spring in South Korea. This means that it's not as cold as it was during the winter months of January or February, and an average temperature high of 13°C (55°F) and an average temperature low of -1°C (30°F) can be expected.
Although tourism is starting to slowly pick up, it's still not nearly as packed as it will be in April or the summer months. This means you can still enjoy the majority of the very first flower festivals and other tourist attractions without having to worry about paying exorbitant prices on dining and entertainment, whilst also enjoying your time in the country in relative peace and quiet.
If you're planning a trip to South Korea in March, you don't have to worry about packing your thick winter clothes as it's bound to get warmer towards the second half of the month. Light coats and jackets, a raincoat or umbrella, a few sweaters and jumpers, and some scarves should be included in your packing list.
To get an in-depth understanding of what to expect insofar as weather conditions are concerned during March, keep reading below.
South Korea Weather in March: Overview
- Average temperature range: -1°C – 13°C (30°F – 55°F)
- Rainfall: 47 mm (2 inches) in Seoul; 95 mm (3.5 inches) in Jeju.
- Rainy days: 7 in Seoul; 11 in Jeju.
March marks the beginning of spring in South Korea. Temperatures are more favorable than they have been over the course of winter and March experiences temperature highs of 10°C (50°F) in the capital city of Seoul and temperature lows of 0°C (32°F) in the same.
Jeju Island in the very south of South Korea experiences temperature highs of 12°C (54°F), while also experiencing a moderate 95 mm (3.5 inches) of rainfall.
March means the very first of the flower festivals have started popping up around the country and if you've always wanted to visit one of these, you'll be treated to a plethora of festival activities in an explosion of color, the likes of which you won't get to experience anywhere else.
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Weather of South Korea's Major Cities in March
| City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 0°C (32°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 47 mm (2 inches) |
| Busan | 4°C (39°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 80 mm (3 inches) |
| Jeju Island | 5°C (41°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 95 mm (3.5 inches) |
| Taean | -1°C (30°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 42 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Gyeongju | 3°C (37°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3 inches) |
| Daejeon | -1°C (30°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2 inches) |
| Incheon | 1°C (34°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 38 mm (1.5 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in South Korea in March
1. Gwangyang
Gwangyang, in South Jeolla Province, is a must visit for travelers wishing to experience the very first flower festivals of the year. The city's Maehwa, or plum blossoms, bloom during the month of March and serve as an important symbol of resilience and perseverance following a harsh winter. Trees of pink and white blossoms and huge pots filled to the brim with plums await your arrival during the festival.
To make it to Gwangyang from Seoul, you could take a taxi or a bus from Dong Seoul Terminal. The journey takes about 4 hours to complete.
2. Gurye County
South Jeolla Province, located on the very southern tip of the South Korean mainland, also plays host to the Gurye Sansuyu Festival, another annual spring slower festival. Located at the mouth of the Jiri Mountains, this area comes to life in March when the Cornelian Cherry dogwoods bloom and resultingly, fill the entire landscape in never-ending fields of gold.
3. Seoul
Cherry Blossom with Seoul TowerFew cities quite exemplify tradition and modernity quite like South Korea's capital, Seoul. In a city teeming with skyscrapers and tunes of K-Pop, make some time to visit the DMZ, or the Demilitarized Zone, shared between the two Koreas, and visit Gyeongbokgung, one of the oldest royal palaces in the world.
Our South Korea travel expert would tailor-made a private tour for you based on your preferences and requirements.
March Crowds and Costs
Although the warmer springtime weather results in tourism slowly picking back up, crowds remain low throughout most of March in South Korea. It's not as crowded as it would be come April due to the cherry blossoms but not quite as dead as the winter months of January or February either.
All in all, March is a fantastic month to visit South Korea as it's not only less crowded, but prices for most things including transportation, accommodation, dining, and entertainment are all reasonably low.
March Events in South Korea
Gwangyang Maehwa Festival: The blooming of Maehwa, also known as plum blossoms, are the focal point of this festival, and a formal celebration of the arrival of spring. Because the trees aren't very tall, you can admire the pretty white and pink flowers closely and get all the pictures you need to make friends and family back home jealous.
Gurye Sansuyu Festival: The blooming of the local favorite but internationally adored Cornelian Cherry dogwoods (Sansuyu) take center stage at the Gurye Sansuyu Festival held in the quaint little town of Gurye. You can walk, hike, take pictures, or simply take in the picturesque hillside with a foreground filled of mustard yellow flowers blooming at their beautiful best!
Jeju Fire Festival: Jeju Island's capital city of the same name hosts the Fire Festival on the first Thursday of March. The festival is an important tradition symbolizing the end of winter and the beginning of spring, with bonfires and the burning of fields and several other agricultural traditions observable at this important commemoration.
What to Wear in South Korea in March
The relatively warmer springtime weather of March means you don't have to pack every bit of warm weather clothing you own to bring with you to South Korea!
Lightweight coats and jackets, a lightweight raincoat, light sweaters and jumpers, a comfortable pair of jeans, both formal and casual dresses, and light scarves should suffice.
A pair of comfortable walking shoes and fancier pair of stylish dress shoes for night outs wouldn't hurt either.
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