Lhasa Weather & Climate - Best Time to Visit Lhasa 2026/2027

• Temperature: 9 - 15 °C. Dry, windy, with gradually increasing oxygen levels

In spring, while most lowland cities burst with vibrant greenery, Lhasa remains dry and slightly chilly—with occasional strong winds and light snowfall early on, then giving way to stable, rarely rainy weather as the season progresses. Oxygen levels rise gradually, making acclimatization easier for travelers compared to winter. Days are warm under the sun but nights stay cool, with significant day-night temperature swings. Nearby lakes like Namtso Lake gradually thaws, their waters reflecting distant snow-capped mountains. By late May, spring is in full bloom, with peach and cherry blossoms dotting the city and its surroundings. But this season Lhasa receives fewer tourists than following summer and autumn peak times.

• Recommended Activities: Visit Lhasa's major attractions, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, and Norbulingka; watch the Princess Wencheng Drama; experience local culture during Saga Dawa in May to early June.

• What to Wear & Pack: Opt for layered clothing. During sunny daytime, a long-sleeve T-shirt paired with a windbreaker suffices. For cooler mornings and evenings, add a thin sweater or down vest. A thin down coat is essential for visits to Nam Co Lake. Bring your sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen and other things to shield against intense UV rays.

• Temperature: 9 - 20 °C. Rainy, with intense UV rays & peak oxygen levels.

Summer is the season with the highest oygen levels in Lhasa and one of the busiest travel periods for Lhasa when climate and scenery are the best. There are tourists from all over the world. Lhasa is not as hot as many other inland cities in summer days, usually just has maximum temperature less than 25~26 °C, which is much comfortable in a coat. At the same time, rainy season of Lhasa begins with frequent rains at night. In one day, morning is kind of like spring, midday is the hottest period, and evening is much colder like winter when sleeping needs to cover bed quilt. Given this peak tourist period, we recommend booking your tour package in advance, because it will be quite difficult to book your train/flight ticket.

• Recommended Activities: Besides Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Barkhor Street and the classic monasteries and , you can also visit Namtso Lake – great photography place; watch the Princess Wencheng Drama; witness the Shoton Festival, Tibet's grandest cultural celebration.

• What to Wear & Pack: Remember to wear a long-sleeve coat, bring your sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen and other things to protect yourself from sunburn and rain gear for unexpected rains.

• Temperature: -5 - 18 °C. Dry, windy, cooler, with fading UV rays & relatively high oxygen levels.

The autumn is considered one of the best and the most breathtaking seasons of Lhasa with fewer visitors than the summer peak. All you feel will just be comfortable and pleasant cool. The sky is purely blue with floating clouds, trees are turning yellow, and everything is beautiful in abundant color. Winds pick up gradually around lakes like Namtso. In late November, the first snow may dust the region, but precipitation is extremely scarce and the air is dry, so staying hydrated is essential.

• Recommended Activities: You can visit all most cultural landscape in Lhasa, including Potala Palace, Jakhang Temple, Derpung Monastery, Norbulingka, hang out at Barkhor Street, watch the Princess Wencheng Drama. Natural attractions like Namsto Lake will be largely affected by the weather at that time.

• What to Wear & Pack: Please note to wear some warm coats and shoes in autumn, especially at nights when it is much colder than days, and don't forget to take protective measures to protect your skin during your Tibet Lhasa visit.

• Temperature: -9 - 9 °C. Sunny, dry, rarely rainy, windy, cold, with low oxygen levels.

It's thought to be the shoulder season in Lhasa with fewer tourists. However, travel to Lhasa in winter is another impressive experience. Winter is not cold as you thought. While windier and chillier than other seasons, the city basks in abundant sunshine. When snow falls, the Potala Palace and sorrounding mountains are blanketed in white. You cans be freer and cozier to explore more local attractions after surprisingly finding there are fewer tourists, even some accommodation and tickets are discounted largely. But sometimes, roads to other outdoor destinations may be closed due to heavy snowfall, so choose a good time to go is very important. Additionally, more time is needed to acclimatize its lower winter oxygen levels.

• Recommended Activities: Visit all the cultural landscape in Lhasa, such as Potala Palace and monasteries, Jakhang Temple, Derpung Monastery, Sera Monastery; watch the splendid and amazing snow mountain, watch the Princess Wencheng Drama, even witness the local Tibetans celebrate the Losar (Tibet New Year Festival, in January to February); take a bath in hot spring of Yangpachen.

• What to Wear & Pack: Opt for warm, windproof clothing, including down jackets, sweaters, thick trousers, windbreakers, insulated shoes, hats, gloves, and scarves. Wear sunglasses outdoors to prevent snow blindness.

1. Clothing Advice: Lhasa has strong radiation ultraviolet radiation and large temperature difference between day and night at all seasons. Please do enough sunblock protections and prepare some warm cloths and long-sleeve coats, shoes from getting cold.

2. Altitude and Acclimatization: Lhasa is situated in Qinghai Tibet Plateau with a high elevation of over 3,650 meters. For the top concerned high altitude sickness, both physically and mental state are crucial. For professional advice to help you adapt, you can reach out to us. As part of our Tibet tour packages, we offer thoughtful acclimation tips, carefully planned itineraries, and all-inclusive support: tickets, transfers, accommodation, meals, and beyond.

Read more about Lhasa Altitude | How to Avoid High Altitude Sickness in Tibet.