Weather: July and August are the two rainiest months in Tibet. It is too rainy and snowy in the high mountains for long hikes, and long-distance travel is sometimes hampered especially to the west. However, it is warm and often sunny during the day in most of the towns and attractions that most tourists want to go to. August is a month for outdoor festivals, and travel is fine for the most popular festivals.
Most tourists arrive in Lhasa that is one of the lowest valleys that most tourists would go to. In Lhasa, the low at night is 10 °C (50 °F), and the daily high temperature is about 21 °C (70 °C). It rains about 20 of the days in the month, mainly at night, for a total of 121 mm. Its elevation is quite high: 3,600 meters (12,000 feet).
Clothing: Dress for the big night temperature drop with a T-shirts, trousers, a jacket, good water resistant shoes and rain gear. Cover up to prevent sunburn, and sun hats and sunglasses help. Bring a heavy coat and gloves when you go to higher elevations.
Altitude Sickness: Oxygen levels are much lower in Tibet, so most people get altitude sickness. Cardiovascular conditions are exacerbated, so for the best experience, seek health advice before going and acclimate before exertion or going higher than Lhasa. Tibet health advice>>
Tibet August Weather Data Graphs
Things to Do in Tibet in August
Tashilhunpo Monastery in ShigatseAugust is one of the best months to go to southern attractions such as Shigatse and other attractions along the Friendship Highway (G318). It is also one of the best months for the high elevation areas in the north of Lhasa because it is warm. However, it isn't a good month for hiking or sightseeing at Mt. Everest due to the heavy rain and snow. The further you travel away from Lhasa to the west and the north, the colder and harsher it is.
Namtso Lake: In August, Namtso Lake is a place for scenic walk and natural sightseeing near the road to Nagqu and the Nagqu Horse Races. There are also basic accommodations for an overnight stay. It is one of Tibet's best scenic places and is one of the highest lakes in the world at 4,718 meters or 15,000 feet. The sunsets are amazing.
Tashilhunpo Monastery: This big red brick monastery has a rugged high mountain background that makes for beautiful photographs with grey rocks and blue and white sky. It was once a town in itself for monks and contains dorm rooms, assembly halls, and temples. It once held 5,000 monks. Now, the prayer wheels keep on turning, and monks walk around. The monastery is at an elevation of 3,800 meters in Shigatse.
Tibetan Festivals
Summer colors at Namtso Lake four hours north of LhasaSummer festivals: Notable religious events include the Ganden Thangka Festival and the Shoton Festival. At the Ganden Thangka Festival, the monastery in Ganden 1.5 hours outside of Lhasa displays its relics and unveils its thangka. During the Shoton festival (yoghurt festival) in Lhasa, the Drebung and Sera monasteries show their thangkas, and then many Tibetans have picnics at the Norbulingka and watch Tibetan opera and dance.
Sporting event: The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is held in August in the Nagqu area in a valley seven or eight hours north of Lhasa. The fun and games include dancing, yak races, archery and equestrian events. The road there passes Namtso Lake, and we could facilitate a visit to both of these highlights. Plan a visit to these summer events>>. Touring Tibet in August:Important Travel Tips and Popular Tours
Touring Tibet in August:Important Travel Tips and Popular Tours
High Travel Season
High season: Chinese young people consider Tibet as their #1 most popular travel destination. The student and university summer holidays continue in August, and they head for Tibet. So young tourists and tour groups crowd Lhasa and the main attractions. For this reason, let us help you build a travel plan by your own experience and book your hotel rooms, flight tickets and train tickets in advance. A special Tibet tour visa is required that we can get for you.
Recommended Tibet Tours
Namtso LakeIf you want to discover more about Tibet, it is advisable to have an experienced private tour guide. We can help you with that.
Here are our most popular Tibet itineraries for your inspiration:
- 7-Day Tibet Tour including Trekking and Camping
- 8-Day Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Bome Spring Tour
- 11-Day Overland Trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu
- 14-Day Tibet Tour including Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
- For a Tibet tours, or a tailor-made Tibet/China tour, please do not hesitate to tell us your interests and requirements.
Further Reading
- See Tibet Weather in August for the regional weather picture
- China's Best Summer Destinations
- Top Places to Visit in China in August
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