Spring

Average Temperature: -3°C ~ 12°C, little chilly

Spring comes expectedly later in Gyantse and in almost all Tibetan areas than inland cities in China because the high altitude geography. You may feel a little bit cold on January to March, maybe even some snows. It’s beginning to get warmer on April when famers start to plant highland barley, dance for gods and seed in spring days.

Summer

Average Temperature: 15 °C ~22 °C, warm in day , cold at night

Rains brought by summer monsoon fall in Gyantse intensively in summer day, making Gyantse “A City of Flowers”. The abundant rainfalls offer good condition for crops and rape flower. Former impression of deserted and dusty Gyanste is corrected into a grand granary with a magnificent view of rape flowers. Each summer holidays, numerous tourists from worldwide are attracted to the Gyantse Rape Flower Festival hosted by Gyantse County Government.

Another popular pageant in Gyantse during summer is Dama Festivel (also calls horse racing festival) which is hold on from April 10th to April 28th to gather together, drink and watch colorful sports performances, lasting for about one week.

Autumn

Average Temperature: 2°C ~ 20°C, temperature varies large in a day

You can describe Gyantse in autumn as a golden city as if this ancient city envelope its self in a golden forest, including temples, buildings, the old Tibetans and puppies. Highland barley will be ripe on September and be reaped in late October.

Winter

Average Temperature: -2°C ~ 9°C, cold but with strong sunshine

Hardly can you see sky flying snows in winter Gyantse except the glaring sunshine. The only thing you can feel in attractions such as cold Khrola Glacier is rumble wind in your ears and barely tourists in sight.

There are three famous historical and cultural relics in Gyantse you can’t miss.

Palkhor Monastery – the well-preserved religious museum combines architecture, painting and sculpture into one. Build in Ming Dynasty and lasted construction for ten years, Palkhor Monastery is the only temple where Tibetan Buddhism Sakyapas, Gelupas and Xilupas coexist in Tibet. Myriad Buddha Stupa, with different chapels overlapped inside, is the best known architecture in Palkhor Monastery.

Gyantse Fortress – past administrative organization and temple.The Gyantse Fortress is in the middle of Gyantse County at an elevation of 4,020m. Used to be built as a palace, it played great importance in resisting invasion of foreign aggressors. Barbettes in Gyantse Dzong are kept there to reveal the history happened in the early 20th century.

Pala Manor – one of the three well-preserved ancient Tibetan noble manors. Located few kilometers away from Gyantse County, Pala Manor has 57 rooms covering an area of 5,357 square meters. The three-story manor is an epitome of feudal Tibetan society, retaining the original luxurious housing of Pala Family and poor living situation of slavery.

1. Elevation of Gyantse is a few hundred higher than Lhasa. In order to make your Gyantse tour proceed smoothly, you’d better take some precautions against high altitude sickness. Dress warm and keep a good physical condition.

2. Take along your sunblock in Gyantse and other Tibetan destinations. Short sleeves are not suitable for the strong ultraviolet radiation. You should prepare a sunhat, sunglasses, long sleeves clothes, lip balm and sunscreens of high SPF.

3. Do as Romans do. When you are travel in Gyantse or other Tibetan areas, show your respect to local culture and customs. Get permits to take photos, behave well in tour local scenic spots especially in monasteries.

4. Apply for permits and visas needed ahead of schedule. Many tourists pass through Gyantse to Shigatse and Mount Everest, even to cross-border destination - Kathmandu in Nepal. The Tibet Entry Permit is not enough, more permits guide you can check here to get.