Things to Do in Kowloon in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Kowloon
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Nearly perfect outdoor weather - 22°C (72°F) highs mean you can comfortably walk through markets and temples without the brutal heat that hits in summer. The temperature drops to 18°C (64°F) at night, which is jacket weather for locals but ideal for rooftop dining and night markets without sweating through your clothes.
- Minimal rain interference - with only 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) of rainfall spread across 10 days, you're looking at brief drizzles rather than the torrential downpours that define other months. When it does rain, it's typically a 15-20 minute shower that clears quickly, not the multi-hour monsoon sessions.
- Lower accommodation prices than peak winter season - you've missed the Chinese New Year surge (usually February) and the European winter escape crowd is thinning out. Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok drop 20-30% compared to January-February rates, though you're still paying more than the summer low season.
- Visibility actually improves for Victoria Harbour views - March tends to have clearer days than the hazy winter months. The 70% humidity is noticeable but not the oppressive wall you get in July-August, and you'll get decent skyline photos from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront without that thick atmospheric haze.
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability makes packing tricky - March sits in that awkward transition between cool and warm seasons. Some days hit 22°C (72°F) and feel summer-like, others stay closer to 18°C (64°F) with wind that makes it feel cooler. Locals are wearing everything from t-shirts to light jackets on the same day, and you'll probably overpack trying to cover all scenarios.
- Not the best month for clear hiking conditions - while the temperature is perfect for trails like Lion Rock or the MacLehose Section, March tends to bring variable conditions with occasional fog rolling in. The 70% humidity means you'll still sweat considerably on uphill sections, and those 10 rainy days can turn paths slippery without warning.
- Shoulder season means some businesses have irregular hours - smaller shops and family-run restaurants in areas like Sham Shui Po sometimes close for extended breaks after the busy winter season. It's not widespread, but you might find your research pointing to a specific dai pai dong or fabric shop that's temporarily shuttered for renovation or family leave.
Best Activities in March
Temple Street Night Market and Yau Ma Tei exploration
March evenings are genuinely comfortable for wandering through the night markets - 18-20°C (64-68°F) means you're not overheating in the crowded lanes between stalls. Temple Street comes alive around 6pm and the weather lets you browse fortune tellers, jade sellers, and street food stalls without that sticky discomfort. The variable weather actually works in your favor here since rain rarely lasts long enough to shut down the market, and vendors just pull out tarps. Fewer tour groups than winter months means easier navigation through the narrow sections.
Victoria Harbour waterfront walks and Star Ferry crossings
The Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is perfect in March - cool enough that the 2.6 km (1.6 mile) walk from Star Ferry to Hung Hom doesn't leave you drenched, but warm enough you don't need more than a light layer. The UV index hits 8 during midday, so early morning (7-9am) or late afternoon (4-6pm) gives you the best light for photos without harsh shadows. March visibility tends to be clearer than winter months, meaning better skyline views across to Hong Kong Island. The Star Ferry itself (HKD 3.40 for lower deck, HKD 4.50 upper deck) runs every 8-12 minutes and the crossing takes exactly 8 minutes - time it for the 6pm crossing to catch the early evening light.
Sham Shui Po fabric and electronics district exploration
March weather makes the dense, covered markets of Sham Shui Po much more tolerable - the fabric stalls along Ki Lung Street and Cheung Sha Wan Road get stuffy in summer heat, but March temperatures keep things comfortable even in the packed lanes. This is where Hong Kong tailors and designers actually shop, not the tourist-oriented markets. The electronics stalls in Golden Computer Arcade and Apliu Street flea market are best visited midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) when crowds thin out. The 70% humidity isn't ideal for electronics shopping but March is dry enough that you're not worried about moisture damage during transport.
Kowloon Walled City Park and historical site visits
The park is genuinely beautiful in March when early spring growth starts showing but before the intense heat makes the manicured gardens less appealing. The 22°C (72°F) highs are perfect for the 30-45 minute walk through the gardens and examining the remaining Walled City artifacts. The park is rarely crowded on weekday mornings (9-11am), and March's variable weather means you might get dramatic cloud formations over the traditional pavilions for photos. Combine this with nearby Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum (free admission) for historical context. The UV index of 8 means bring sun protection despite the comfortable temperature.
Dim sum crawls through Mong Kok and Prince Edward
March mornings are perfect dim sum weather - cool enough that steaming bamboo baskets don't make the restaurant unbearably hot. Traditional dim sum restaurants in Mong Kok like those along Fa Yuen Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South are busiest 8-10am when locals go, but 10:30am-noon gives you shorter waits with full menus still available. The variable March weather means having a food-focused indoor activity as backup when those 10 rainy days hit. Prices run HKD 30-60 per basket at neighborhood places (not the fancy hotel versions), and you'll want to try 4-6 different items per person.
Lion Rock or Kowloon Peak hiking
The 22°C (72°F) highs make March theoretically good for Kowloon's signature hikes, but you need to time it right. Start by 7am to avoid the midday UV index of 8 and finish before afternoon heat peaks. Lion Rock (495m/1,624 ft summit) takes 2-3 hours round trip from Wong Tai Sin, while Kowloon Peak (602m/1,975 ft) needs 3-4 hours from Choi Hung. The 70% humidity means you'll sweat more than the temperature suggests - bring 2 liters (68 oz) of water minimum. Those 10 rainy days can make rock sections slippery, and March's variable conditions mean fog can roll in unexpectedly, obscuring the famous views. Check weather that morning before committing.
March Events & Festivals
Hong Kong Art Month
March is when the city's gallery scene concentrates openings and exhibitions, particularly in the contemporary art spaces that have expanded into Kowloon in recent years. While Art Basel happens in late March (typically last week), smaller galleries in Wong Chuk Hang and increasingly in Kwun Tong industrial buildings run concurrent programming. Not a single event but a concentration of openings, talks, and exhibitions that make March particularly good for art-focused visitors. Many events are free, though Art Basel itself requires tickets (HKD 400-600 for single day passes if bought in advance).
Hong Kong Sevens (Rugby Tournament)
If the tournament falls in late March rather than early April (dates shift slightly year to year), it brings massive crowds and a party atmosphere to the city. While the actual matches happen at Hong Kong Stadium on Hong Kong Island, the overflow of international visitors packs Kowloon's bars and restaurants, particularly around Tsim Sha Tsui. Hotels raise prices 40-60% during the tournament weekend, and restaurants get notably busier. If you're not interested in rugby, this is actually a weekend to avoid Kowloon's tourist areas.