When is the Best Time to Visit Lhasa: Ultimate Guide

Lhasa’s remote location and high altitude are no barrier to visiting the iconic city. It might surprise you that the weather isn’t a problem either. The ‘Sunlight City’ gets over 3000 hours of annual sunshine and is a great place for travel year round.

Best Time to Visit Lhasa: Spring and Autumn

Spring in Lhasa arrives in March and continues until May. It starts to get noticeably warmer after the cold winter. The days are brilliantly sunny, with almost no rain until the end of May. April kicks off the tourist season, but crowds stay small. There is nothing to stop you from enjoying attractions like Potala Palace or exploring the outdoor markets of Barkhor Street. Night can still be cold, so you might want to find a warm place to enjoy local food or relax in a traditional Tibetan tea house.

Strolling in Barkhor Street

The Average Temperature of Lhasa in Spring

The two-month autumn goes by quickly but offers similar great weather as spring. In September and October, the change in the season turns the forests a golden brown. The summer rains dry, and the city returns to clear and cool weather. Everything in Lhasa is good to do in autumn. Visiting monasteries and tourist attractions, wandering the city streets, or day trips to nearby places to hike or explore. Autumn can be busy, especially during the Chinese national holiday in the first week of October. Make sure to book well in advance.

The Average Temperature of Lhasa in Autumn

What to See in Spring and Autumn

Spring and Autumn’s clear blue skies make it one of the best times for photographers. The Saga Dawa Festival takes place in May, and there are chances to capture festive images or take part in the festivities. Spend your days touring the city, seeing places like Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, or the Lalu Wetland Nature Reserve.

Saga Dawa festival celebration in Lhasa

Visit Lhasa in Summer: The Peak Season in Tibet

It surprises some people that summer in Tibet is monsoon season. While not as intense as monsoons in tropical areas, June, July, and August Lhasa have the highest amount of rain. Luckily for tourists, the rain falls mainly at night, leaving the days clear to enjoy the tour.

Lhasa is warm in summer. Daytime temperature can reach over 20°c, and sunshine hours are slightly lower than in spring and autumn. Vegetation comes alive this season. Not only are there lush, green grasslands and blooming flowers, but you’ll also see more wildlife and nomads taking advantage of the nice weather.

Visit Potala Palace in summer

Summer is also the peak travel season. Domestic tourism increases significantly during the school summer holidays. Hotels, tours, and train tickets for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway sell out quickly. Book your Tibet tour 1-2 months in advance.

The Average Temperature of Lhasa in Summer

What to See in Summer

The weather is perfect for visiting all of the tourist sites in Lhasa. Make sure to see Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street. There are also many festivals. The Shoton Festival features traditional performances and rituals at Drepung and Sera Monastery. Nearby Lhasa, the Ganden Thangka Festival is marked with the unveiling of giant Thangka paintings.

Shoton Festival celebration in Drepung Monastrey

Visit Lhasa in Winter: Is It Too Cold?

Winter is cold in Lhasa but probably a lot warmer than you might expect. Lhasa is much milder than many other parts of Tibet, and winter has some special advantages for travelers. Winter’s crystal clear skies and snow-covered landscapes have a unique, magical beauty. In November, you can still catch some of the daytime warmth, but expect the night to be cold.

Travelers preferring a more tranquil experience will enjoy the small crowds. The city is quieter and has a more authentic feel. It’s also the best season for budget traveling. Prices of hotels and tours are at the lowest during the off-peak season.

The Average Temperature of Lhasa in Winter

What to See in Winter

Enjoy all the city’s attractions in winter, but be aware that some are not available to visit in February. Tibetan New Year and the Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival take place during this season. During Losar, the Tibetan New Year lasts for two weeks. You can attend services at Monasteries, see local people in their finest clothing, and try special foods like guthuk, a noodle soup made on New Year’s Eve. During the Butter Lamp Festival, the city will be aglow in the light of thousands of butter lamps lighting up temples and homes.

Lhasa in winter has a lot of sunshine.

What to Wear for Your Trip to Lhasa?

Summer is the easiest to pack for. During the day, you’ll want long pants, cotton shirts, and a hat to avoid sunburn. A waterproof outer layer will be helpful in case of rain, and have a warm jacket or sweater for the cooler nights. Thermal wear and a down jacket are needed for the colder evenings in spring and autumn. During the day, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, jacket, and cotton trousers is suitable.

Thermal wear, warm pants, a sweater, and a down jacket are needed in winter. You’ll also want gloves, a hat, and warm socks. Shoes or boots should be sturdy with good traction for walking on snow. Winter can be very dry. Lip balm and skin moisturizer will help protect you from the elements.

Conclusion

Lhasa can be visited at any time of the year. Spring and autumn offer a good balance between warmer weather, clear skies, and fewer tourists. Summer is warm but busy, and fog can obscure visibility. Winter has a cold temperature but a warm, intimate atmosphere with small crowds and important festivals. The best time to visit is really up to you. Contact us anytime for more information about planning your trip to Lhasa.