Best Time to Visit Lhasa

 

About Lhasa

Situated at the altitude of 3, 650 meters, Lhasa, the capital city of the modern Tibet Autonomous Region, is also the capital of the Tibet Empire in antiquity. It is one of the most mystique cities in the world, and has only been open for international tourists for decades. Now Lhasa is drawing hundreds of thousands of national and international travelers, and in some way, filling their life with its inclusive culture and hospitality, and also inspiring people with different culture backgrounds by showing the authentic Tibet openly.

Besides the spectacular architecture in Lhasa, inclusive of the mighty Potala Palace and the divine and beautiful monasteries and temples, plus the exquisite civil houses, Lhasa is also charismatic in its intangible culture, and never devoid of natural beauty. Generally, Lhasa is suitable for visiting all year round because of the mild and temperature weather and the abundant year-round festivals and events.

 
Potala Palace in Lhasa

Weather in Lhasa

Although located at such a high elevation, Lhasa is not as cold as most of us imagine. And the annual temperature difference in the whole Tibet is relatively small compared with most inland cities in China. Even in the height of winter, most days in Lhasa are warm and mild, partially because of the abundant sunlight. Under the impact of the continental climate, this immense plateau is characterized by desert climate, which means dramatic temperature difference between day and night. That's why it's smart to prepare layered clothing no matter in which season you plan to travel Tibet. And this is also the reason why Tibetan people, at the warmest times in a day, wear their robes with one sleeve on and the other off. The coldest month of Lhasa is January, when the average temperature ranges from -10 to 7 degrees Celsius. The hottest months are July and August when the average high temperature is about 22 degrees Celsius and the average low hovers around 10 degrees Celsius, which reflects a quite mild, slightly cool summer. July and August are also the rainiest months, and jointly contribute 80% of the annual precipitation in Lhasa. May, June and September enjoy a sweet medium between the chilly winter season and the rainy summer; and in the meantime, are away from the influence of the wind season which normally starts from late October or November and ends in April.

Four Seasons in Lhasa: The four seasons in Lhasa are atypical. The winter is longer than normal. The duration of its spring and autumn shrink slightly in the length of duration. Summer in Lhasa is close to typical summer in the northern hemisphere, featuring more rain and higher temperature.

There is no single answer to which season is best for visiting Lhasa no matter you are keeping the weather in mind or considering about things to do in the four seasons. And apart from these objective factors, we may also have our own preference for one season or two over the rest. Below we'll list the various themes of Lhasa travel and the relevant information inclusive of holiday weather and the brief introduction to the attractions or events mentioned.

Travel for Culture—Explore the Temples and Monasteries in Lhasa and around

Best times: Though culture trips in Lhasa are great to do all year round; if you're after less crowded tourist hordes, November to April is definitely the best time.

Iconic Cultural Sites: the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery.

Travel to Lhasa in winter, will save you from encountering large tourist crowds. Moreover, the preferential policy for winter travel allows you to save a large amount of entrance fees. The policy clearly states that all attractions graded 3A level or above, will be free of entrance fees or only charge half price of the original ticket, with only the monasteries and temples as exception. Apart from the deals, it is also easier to make a reservation to visit the Potala Palace in winter, and you'll get more time to take in the beauty of Tibetan architecture and feel the history while taking a ramble among the numerous shrines.

 
Pilgrims at Jokhang Temple

Although the Potala Palace is the most recognizable Tibetan attraction, Jokhang Temple has an equal spiritual status in the heart of pilgrims, which shares the same lengthy history with the ancient Lhasa, Therefore, worshiping, prostration, praying around Jokhang Temple conducted by the Tibetan pilgrims are the most religious phenomenon in Lhasa. Ramoche Temple is situated only 500 meters north of the Barkhor Street.

The Great Three Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism indicate Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery. All of them are in the suburbs of Lhasa. Through visiting the Great Three, you may have an extended comprehension about Tibetan Buddhism.

Key Events in Lhasa

Tibetan New Year (February or March)
Saga Dawa (May or June)
Shoton Festival (August)
Ongkor Festival or Harvest Festival (September)

Travel for Nature—Short Outings

Best times: Lhasa is renowned as the City of Sunlight. Even in winter, the days are mild and warmer than cities in the northernmost China, such as Beijing. So, if you want to explore the natural beauty of Lhasa's surroundings, you're OK to go any time. Just a worthwhile note that: in Spring and Summer, flora and trees in the city or suburbs of Lhasa are in their most beautiful times. And the photogenic autumn foliage is also a highlight of Lhasa's nature.

Outing in the wilderness: Lhasa citizens and the Tibetan pilgrims coming from other Tibetan-inhabited areas love going outing on weekends or on other holidays. They would either find shady grounds in a park such as Norbulinka Park or Dzongyab Lukhang Park; or go to the beautiful riversides to have a picnic with their friends or family. Hiking in a nearby hills is also welcome among the Tibetans who always have a genuine affection to Nature.

Best spots for going outing: Parks in the Lhasa, Lhasa River, Sera Monastery Trekking Trails, Ganden Monastery, Drepung Monastery.

 
Barkhor Street in Lhasa

Travel for Food and Fun

Most cuisines you can find in Lhasa are Tibetan Cuisine, Sichuan Cuisine, Nepali Cuisine, Western Cuisine, and Moslem food can also be found. If you're ready to try the local food, and have a traditional taste, here follows a short list of Tibetan food you can give it a go:

1. Spring and Autumn: Sweet tea, Yak Butter Tea, Tibetan noodles, Tibetan dumplings, Yak meat dishes, mutton dishes, Tibetan fried potato wedges;
2. Winter: same with above, and you can add some food that can make your body warmer: appropriate portion of highland barley wine, Lulang Stone Pot Chicken(soup), Tibetan hot pot (with Vegan or Vegetarian special version).
3. Summer: same with above 1) and 2), you can venture a bite of the Tibetan yak yogurt or yogurt cake, which may leave a sweet chill memory to your taste bud years later. And if you don't have sweet teeth, you can try bean jelly, which is also a cold snack but with a salted flavor, popular in Tibet and Sichuan.
4. As Tibetan people are one of the most enthusiastic group of people in the world, who love dancing, singing and all kinds of traditional or modern sports, you may have your vibrance waken up here as well by joining them in each of them.

The Lhasa Knowledge You May Not Know About

1. Though Buddhist monasteries and temples are the dominant religious buildings in Tibet, you may be surprised to find a mosque as well, the Lhasa Great Mosque, which is located right in the center of Lhasa.
2. In Caina Town, Lhasa City, grapes with thicker skin grow healthily and produce high-quality wine in this region.
3. The tea houses in Lhasa not only serve sweet tea but also other Tibetan food and drink. They are at the affordable price for almost anyone. And these locales are best to get known about the real Tibetan and you may be lucky enough to make some new friends with either Tibetan people or travelers like you.

Tibet Tours you may be interested in:

4 Days Lhasa Highlights Tour
5 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Lake Tour
5 Days Lhasa Plus Ganden Kora Tour