Barkhor StreetWeather: October has about the best weather, but it also is when crowds of tourists come in. It is one of the best months for travel around Lhasa and Tibet weatherwise. It is the start of the dry season with only 5 days of rain and a total of only 9 mm of rainfall. If you want warm days and dry weather with lots of sunshine, October is when to come. There are 9 hours of sunshine a day on average.
The average nightly low temperature is 2 °C (36 °F), and the average daily high temperature is 17 °C (63 °F). It feels warm because the altitude is 3,600 meters (12,000 feet). The UV radiation is high. See the Lhasa weather forecast>>
Clothing: There is a huge temperature drop of 15 °C at night. So it is best to dress in layers with a coat, trousers, a T-shirt, a sun hat and sunglasses. You might be able to wear shorts on some days, but you'll still need a coat at night. Have some rain gear, and remember to take winter gear up to higher mountain regions.
Altitude Sickness: Oxygen in Lhasa is only 2/3 that of sea level. Seek medical advice, as some medical issues are exacerbated. Most people get altitude sickness. Read Lhasa health advice>>
Things to Do in Lhasa in October
Shop and Dine on Barkhor
Barkhor Street: In Lhasa's main shopping street, you'll see people bowing and stretching their way on the pavement. This is a traditional Buddhist way to worship and make pilgrimages. Their focus is Jokhang Temple on the street. They circle it and worship outside.
The street has dozens of stores selling handicrafts and artwork. Tibetan rugs, clothes, crafts products, and gold and silver jewelry make good souvenirs. Remember that haggling is expected. During the National Day holidays in the first week of October, the street is crowded.
Tour the Ganden Monastery
Ganden MonasteryGanden Monastery: This big monastery is an authentic ancient and important monastery where crowds of monks are still trained. It is probably the most scenic and interesting monastery, and it sits on a mountain at an elevation 4,300 meters or 14,000 feet in a scenic area where there is good hiking. Even the 1½-hour drive there is scenic.
Ganden is one of Tibetan Buddhism's three main monasteries. It contains huge temples and was founded in 1409. Many think it is Tibet's best monastery to see because it isn't a museum like others in Lhasa and the scenery is great. See the autumn colors on the mountains and enjoy the sunlight.
Hiking Near Lhasa
Hike between Ganden Monastery and Samye Monastery: The dry sunny weather is a good time to hike in the high altitude areas. Between Ganden and Samye, there is a great high altitude hiking route. The 80-kilometer route can be covered in several days. Be prepared with good winter gear and rain gear. It is one of the best hiking routes in Tibet and is conveniently near Lhasa.
Touring Lhasa in October
High Travel Season
High season: A big National Day travel rush starts at the end of September, and it lasts until about the middle of October. In one in three years the Mid-Autumn Festival adds even more tourists in the first half of October.
But tourism drops off in the second half of October, so you might want to aim for later in the month if you want to get lower prices, have a better choice of accommodations, and go when there are fewer crowds.
You should plan ahead and prearrange for tickets and accommodations in October. You'll need a Tibet Travel Permit, which we can arrange. We can help get Lhasa hotel rooms, flight tickets and train tickets that you'll appreciate.
Recommended Tour Packages
4-Day Essence of Lhasa Tour: Tour the highlights, including the Potala Palace and Barkhor. We can modify this tour if you want.
Tailor-Make Your Tour or see moreLhasa Tours.
Further Reading
- Tibet Weather in October for the regional picture
- Top Places To Visit in October
- The Best Places To See Fall Foliage in China
Lhasa Average Daily Temperatures Based on Historical Data
| Date | Average High | Average Low | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1 | 64 °F | 17.78 °C | 40 °F | 4.44 °C |
| October 2 | 64 °F | 17.78 °C | 39 °F | 3.89 °C |
| October 3 | 64 °F | 17.78 °C | 39 °F | 3.89 °C |
| October 4 | 64 °F | 17.78 °C | 38 °F | 3.33 °C |
| October 5 | 63 °F | 17.22 °C | 38 °F | 3.33 °C |
| October 6 | 63 °F | 17.22 °C | 38 °F | 3.33 °C |
| October 7 | 63 °F | 17.22 °C | 37 °F | 2.78 °C |
| October 8 | 63 °F | 17.22 °C | 37 °F | 2.78 °C |
| October 9 | 62 °F | 16.67 °C | 36 °F | 2.22 °C |
| October 10 | 62 °F | 16.67 °C | 36 °F | 2.22 °C |
| October 11 | 62 °F | 16.67 °C | 36 °F | 2.22 °C |
| October 12 | 62 °F | 16.67 °C | 35 °F | 1.67 °C |
| October 13 | 61 °F | 16.11 °C | 35 °F | 1.67 °C |
| October 14 | 61 °F | 16.11 °C | 34 °F | 1.11 °C |
| October 15 | 61 °F | 16.11 °C | 34 °F | 1.11 °C |
| October 16 | 61 °F | 16.11 °C | 33 °F | 0.56 °C |
| October 17 | 60 °F | 15.56 °C | 33 °F | 0.56 °C |
| October 18 | 60 °F | 15.56 °C | 33 °F | 0.56 °C |
| October 19 | 60 °F | 15.56 °C | 32 °F | 0 °C |
| October 20 | 59 °F | 15 °C | 32 °F | 0 °C |
| October 21 | 59 °F | 15 °C | 31 °F | -0.56 °C |
| October 22 | 59 °F | 15 °C | 31 °F | -0.56 °C |
| October 23 | 59 °F | 15 °C | 31 °F | -0.56 °C |
| October 24 | 58 °F | 14.44 °C | 30 °F | -1.11 °C |
| October 25 | 58 °F | 14.44 °C | 30 °F | -1.11 °C |
| October 26 | 58 °F | 14.44 °C | 30 °F | -1.11 °C |
| October 27 | 57 °F | 13.89 °C | 29 °F | -1.67 °C |
| October 28 | 57 °F | 13.89 °C | 29 °F | -1.67 °C |
| October 29 | 57 °F | 13.89 °C | 28 °F | -2.22 °C |
| October 30 | 56 °F | 13.33 °C | 28 °F | -2.22 °C |
| October 31 | 56 °F | 13.33 °C | 28 °F | -2.22 °C |
