Tibetans Dancing for the Losar New YearWeather: February is a cold and dry month. It might feel comfortable on sunny days without a jacket, but it is cold at night. The average nightly low temperature is -6 °C (21 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 9 °C (48 °F). The high altitude of 3,650 meters or 12,000 feet makes it feel warm when it is sunny. It is usually sunny with about 8 hours of sunshine a day.
February is dry season. It rains or snows only 1 day of the month for only 1 mm of total precipitation. Weatherwise, it is one of the better months for touring. Check the Lhasa weather and forecast>>
Clothing: For the changing temperatures, bring your winter clothes and dress in layers. Some hotels and many restaurants in Lhasa have no central heating, so you might need to wear a coat inside. Have a T-shirt, coat, trousers, hat, and gloves. A sun hat and sunglasses can protect you from the high ultraviolet radiation.
Altitude Sickness: The oxygen content of the air is only 2/3 that at sea level, so a health check is a good idea. Most visitors get altitude sickness and find a long walk difficult. Take precautions if you have asthma, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Lhasa health advice>>
Things to Do in Lhasa in February
Sample the Lhasa Food
Lhasa dining: When it is very cold, the Tibetan restaurants serving hot cuisine are a good place to go. During the Chinese New Year and Losar holidays, enjoy the delicious traditional Chinese and Tibetan holiday foods.
The traditional Tibetan foods are rich in calories, high in protein, and often high in fat or cheese. It provides the calories you need for the cold weather. You'll find yak cheese and milk dishes, barley dishes, and yak, mutton and goat meat dishes. People who like meat and dairy high-protein food will like this food, but sample around to find the kind of flavors you like.
Visit the Potala Palace
The Potala PalacePotala Palace: The gigantic ancient palace stands out as a world famous Lhasa landmark and is recommended by UNESCO. The Dalai Lamas once lived there, and now it's a place to worship. It is on a small hill in Lhasa at an elevation of 3,700 meters or 12,100 feet. A plaza and pond both offer excellent beautiful views. It is a dream destination and highlight for many.
In many years, crowds of pilgrims and locals worship during Losar in February. Crowds of Chinese tour groups also visit during their Spring Festival holidays. Two days of acclimation can help you make the climb up.
Experience Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is in February two of three years. The most important traditional Chinese festival is a good time to experience Chinese culture, even in Tibet.
Experience Losar
Losar New Year Festival: The Tibetans have their own new year holidays called Losar. Usually their new year day is in February, within three days of Chinese New Year.
During this colorful week of festivities, Tibetans come in from the surrounding mountain regions to worship, watch Tibetan drama, and enjoy traditional games. They dress in their finest garments and go to the big temples for ceremonies. These are their most important religious holidays.
Touring Lhasa in February
Shoulder Travel Season
The Chinese Spring FestivalDuring most of February, few tourists come to Lhasa unless Chinese New Year or the Losar Festival happens. Then crowds come in. In the first two or three days of their new year, the Chinese might close their shops and businesses, and travel stays high for two weeks. You might appreciate the festivities but not the drawbacks. If you come before or after these holidays, you can enjoy a wider choice of accommodations and save a lot of money.
There are good reasons to visit Lhasa in February: much less crowding, more authentically Tibetan atmosphere, and comfortable weather before the rainy season starts. Tibetans take shelter from the surrounding mountains because it is warmer and drier. Sometimes however, tourist travel is cut off during Losar. In March, travel restrictions are often imposed for political reasons.
Let us help you figure out a good travel schedule and get Lhasa hotel rooms, flight tickets and train tickets that you'll appreciate by our experience. Visiting Tibet requires a special Tibet tour visa as well, and we can arrange it. We try to make our tours personalized and flexible.
Recommended Tour Packages
Further Reading
- See Tibet Weather in February for the regional picture
- Tibet Travel Tips
- Top Places to Visit in China in February
- China's Best Winter Destinations
Lhasa Average Daily Temperatures Based on Historical Data
| Date | Average High | Average Low | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1 | 45 °F | 7.22 °C | 16 °F | -8.89 °C |
| February 2 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 16 °F | -8.89 °C |
| February 3 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 16 °F | -8.89 °C |
| February 4 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 17 °F | -8.33 °C |
| February 5 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 17 °F | -8.33 °C |
| February 6 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 17 °F | -8.33 °C |
| February 7 | 46 °F | 7.78 °C | 17 °F | -8.33 °C |
| February 8 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 18 °F | -7.78 °C |
| February 9 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 18 °F | -7.78 °C |
| February 10 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 18 °F | -7.78 °C |
| February 11 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 18 °F | -7.78 °C |
| February 12 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 19 °F | -7.22 °C |
| February 13 | 47 °F | 8.33 °C | 19 °F | -7.22 °C |
| February 14 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 19 °F | -7.22 °C |
| February 15 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 19 °F | -7.22 °C |
| February 16 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 20 °F | -6.67 °C |
| February 17 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 20 °F | -6.67 °C |
| February 18 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 20 °F | -6.67 °C |
| February 19 | 48 °F | 8.89 °C | 20 °F | -6.67 °C |
| February 20 | 49 °F | 9.44 °C | 21 °F | -6.11 °C |
| February 21 | 49 °F | 9.44 °C | 21 °F | -6.11 °C |
| February 22 | 49 °F | 9.44 °C | 21 °F | -6.11 °C |
| February 23 | 49 °F | 9.44 °C | 21 °F | -6.11 °C |
| February 24 | 49 °F | 9.44 °C | 21 °F | -6.11 °C |
| February 25 | 50 °F | 10 °C | 22 °F | -5.56 °C |
| February 26 | 50 °F | 10 °C | 22 °F | -5.56 °C |
| February 27 | 50 °F | 10 °C | 22 °F | -5.56 °C |
| February 28 | 50 °F | 10 °C | 22 °F | -5.56 °C |
| February 29 | 50 °F | 10 °C | 23 °F | -5 °C |
