Tibet Weather, Best Time to Visit Tibet

Written by Ruru Zhou Updated Aug. 13, 2021

Lhasa, located on a valley alluvial plain with an altitude of 3.650 meters, is one of the cities with the highest altitude in the world, enjoying a plateau semi-arid monsoon climate. Lhasa, celebrated as “Sunlight City”, features strong solar radiation, large temperature difference, and long duration of sunshine, with an annual sunshine duration of over 3,000 hours. The annual precipitation of Lhasa ranges from 200 to 510 mm, which mainly concentrates from June to September.

The hottest month falls in June, with the monthly average temperature of 15.7℃ and the highest temperature of 22.9℃ on average. The coldest month falls in January, with an average temperature of -2℃ and the lowest temperature of -9.7℃ on average. For years, the extreme maximum temperature is 29.6℃ which occurred in June and the extreme minimum temperature is -9.7℃ which occurred in January.

Monthly Average Temperature of Lhasa

Month Average Temperature Month Average Temperature
January -2.2 ºC July 14.9 ºC
February 0.8 ºC August 14.3 ºC
March 4.3 ºC September 12.6 ºC
April 8.4 ºC October 8.1 ºC
May 12.5 ºC November 1.8 ºC
June 15.6 ºC December -1.8 ºC

Best Time to Visit Tibet

Summer and autumn are ranked as the best seasons for visiting Lhasa when the weather is comfortable and a number of festivals are held during these seasons. Tourists can appreciate unique ethnic performances and the rich customs of the Tibetan nationality. Meanwhile, nowadays, an increasing number of tourists choose to travel to Lhasa in winter as it’s not so crowded and they are attracted by the characteristic Tibetan New Year Festival.

Visiting Tibet in Spring (March to May)

The spring of Lhasa is relatively windy and dry, with the temperature ranging from -3.33 ºC to 18.89 ºC. Though it’s becoming warm day by day, there is a large temperature difference in the morning and evening. Thus, it’s advisable to bring thick long-sleeved coats.

While visiting Lhasa in spring and autumn, tourists need to bring warm clothes as there is a large temperature difference in the morning and evening.

Visiting Tibet in Summer (June to August)

Summer is ranked as one of the best periods for visiting Lhasa when a number of ethnic festive activities are held, with the temperature ranging from 8.89 ºC to 22.22 ºC. While traveling to Lhasa in summer, tourists can visit the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, and other Tibetan-style palaces and temples. Besides, the grand Shoton Festival is usually held in August, offering tourists a magnificent sight. Though it’s relatively hot in summer, tourists still need to bring some warm clothes in case of the low temperature at night. Due to the strong solar radiation, tourists need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and sunbonnets.

While visiting Lhasa in summer, besides summer clothing, tourists need to bring pants, long-sleeved coats, sweaters, and trench coats in order to resist the low temperature at night.

Visiting Tibet in Autumn (September to October)

Autumn is the best period for visiting Lhasa, with the temperature ranging from 1.11 ºC to 19.44 ºC. It’s very comfortable and cool for traveling to Lhasa, with the temperature ranging from 7.22 ºC to 19.44 ºC in September, from 1.11 ºC to 16.11 ºC in October. However, due to the large temperature difference between day and night, thick clothes are also necessary.

Visiting Tibet in Winter (November to February)

There is no severe cold in the winter of Lhasa, with the temperature ranging from -10.56 ºC to 11.11 ºC. It’s relatively dry and windy in Lhasa during this season and there are few tourists traveling there. The lowest temperature falls in January, with the temperature ranging from -10.56 ºC to 6.67 ºC. For packing, thick clothes are necessary, such as cotton-padded jackets, down jackets, and sweaters.

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