The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of activating fluxes to the welding penetration and hot cracking of AZ31 magnesium alloys. Using AZ31 magnesium alloy as experiment material, using oxide (B2O3,CeO2,Cr2O3,La2O3,MnO2,Tio2) as activating flux, welding the specimen by straight polarity direct current A-TIG welding method. The effect of activating flux and welding method on the penetration, width, hot cracking and tissue of weld is analyzed. The results showed that any of the activating flux improved the weld penetration and the depth/width (D/W) ratio of the TIG welded AZ31 magnesium alloy joints obviously. Speaking of the hot cracking, the survey result pointed out:the hot cracking susceptibility of AZ31 with painting CeO2,Cr2O3 is better then with any pating fluxes of AZ31.