Choosing the perfect time to visit Tibet is essential to fully enjoy its mystique and charm, given its high-altitude location and vast landscape.
Generally, the best time to visit Tibet is from May to October. However, the ideal time can vary depending on your specific interests, whether you are seeking trekking, wishing to admire the plateau scenery, or yearning to immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of Tibetan festivals. For more specific details, check out our article.
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The Best Times to Visit Mount Everest
If you plan to travel to Mount Everest, travel in April, May, September, or October when you are more likely to see the peak clearly. It is probably going to be hidden behind thick clouds during the rest of the year.
The Best Time to Visit Tibet for Sightseeing
May to October is the best time for sightseeing in Tibet, when the weather is not very cold, averaging above 10°C (50°F). This is naturally the busiest travel time in Tibet when people go there for the warmer weather and higher oxygen content.
July and August are the rainy season months in Tibet. However, apart from in the southeast, there isn't a lot of rain.
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Chengdu at it`s best
We made a private tour through South China in January 2024. Altogether Chengdu was the highlight. We had an incredible day at Emeishan. In Chengdu our guidewas Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. more
Feb 2024, peter
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Best Tour Ever
Other highlights are too many to mention but here are a few Ken taking us to the Terracotta Warriors and our food tour in Xian was amazing, more
Feb 2024, Liz Hickson
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Chengdu and Volunteer program Panda base
Our day volunteering at the Panda Base was truly unforgettable. Helen, our guide, provided us with invaluable insights about Chengdu and the pandas, enriching our tour with her knowledge and expertise. We're grateful to Helen for accompanying us throughout the day and showcasing the highlights of China. more
Feb 2024, Eliaquim
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Chengdu at it`s best
We had a booking with China Highlights through Silvia Ye who guarenteed a perfect organisation. In Chengdu our guide was Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. more
Feb 2024, Peter
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Shanghai tour with Kris
We traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great. more
Feb 2024, Maria C
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Guilin 2024
We visited Guilin for 2 days and stayed in the Guilin Waterfall hotel. Guilin was absolutely beautiful! Our guide, William, was very knowledgeable and kind! He taught us so much about Guilin and the surrounding area! We really enjoyed trying the specialty rice noodles of Guilin. Our highlight was the Li river cruise. more
Feb 2024, Explore
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Excellent service
Amazing tour and the guide Mr. 贺霄 was very accommodating with our needs and request as we have bought our 2 years old with us. Well explained for all the place we visited. Any additional cost were informed well ahead and didn't felt any pressure if we opt not to go for additional detour. The trip was relaxing/ laid back/no rushing with zero shopping! more
Feb 2024, JJC
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We had an amazing to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Ray Luan
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Amazing trip to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Ray L.
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. more
Feb 2024, apisn2023
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! more
Feb 2024, Apis
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Shanghai 2024
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. more
Feb 2024, Venture33530492375
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Beautiful Yangshuo
Guilin, but mostly Yangshuo was at the tail end of our China adventure so there was a lot to live up to. Having a guide like Gary Wei meant that our trip ended on a high! We arrived in Guilin very late from an 11 hour train journey. Gary met us with gifts of fruit, sweet bread and cakes which was so unexpected and thoughtful.Gary's knowledge of the area was exceptional and his attention to us the same. He really took our children under his wing - even tuning in to annoying sibling rivalry and managing to keep the peace very well! Gary was our personal photographer at times and even our Taiji instructor, making a beautiful video of us all doing Taiji in a scenic setting :)The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is definitely worth taking and we enjoyed our few nights in the area, riding bikes along the river, doing a cooking class and enjoying the scenery more
Feb 2024, JenB
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Vincent was a fantastic guide !
Vincent was a fantastic guide !Vincent is a wonderful & warm guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and his explanations are excellent. He showed us around Guilin & Yangshuo. He attended to all of our needs and really made the tour very special more
Feb 2024, David
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. more
Feb 2024, Nicola B
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Alice was a fantastic tour guide
Alice was a fantastic tour guide. She took us to many places in and around Lijiang including Jade Dragon Snow mountain and the old town. She is knowledgeable and very warm & friendly and very helpful with everything more
Feb 2024, 文文
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Thank you, Shannon. Thank you, Xi,an.
We met our tour guide Shannon in Xi,an and we enjoyed very much our stay. Her good English level and her knowledge of the history of the city made our jorney very memorable. Kind, flexible and patient, she attended all our wishes. We will always be grateful for her work. more
Feb 2024, Man B
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3rd time the charm, is being charmed for the 3rd time.
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan Mueller
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3rd time the charm, is charmed for the 3rd time
The sites stay the same but each time we have done this tour, the tour guides manage to make it feel like it is the first time you are experiencing it. And, with the constant renovations, this time we were able to see previous areas that were unavailable the last time we came. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan M
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Great trip and experience!
From beginning to end, China Highlights was very courteous, responsive and attentive in planning and executing a great trip!Aspects and execution of the trip was as discussed and was an overall great experience. Our guide, Michael, was very kind and knowledgeable throughout the tour and would address all questions and help us take lots of photos. Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more
Feb 2024, Karol
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The Best Time to Visit Tibet for Family Travel
The best time for a family to travel to Tibet is during the summer. This takes into account matching the children's summer vacation and considering the milder effects of high-altitude sickness, especially if there are elderly family members.
Summer is when the oxygen levels on the Tibetan Plateau are the highest. Whether it's sightseeing or enjoying some outdoor experiences, such as visiting a farm to experience the life of Tibetan herders or engaging in some light hiking, it's the ideal time.
Moreover, Tibet is also a great place to escape the summer heat during this season.
The Best Time for a Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra and Kora
A "yatra" is a pilgrimage to a sacred place and a "kora" is a religious walk around a sacred site.
The best time for a Mount Kailash yatra and kora is in summer (June to August). This is due to the warmer temperature and higher oxygen content.
If you are going to do a kora around Lake Manasarovar, autumn (September to November) is the best time as there is warmer weather and less chance of rainfall.
The Best Time to Enjoy Tibetan Festivals
If you are interested in Tibetan festivals, it is recommended to visit Tibet in August when the Shoton Festival, Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, and Ganden Thangka Festival are held. But expect to see huge crowds during the festivals.
The Worst Time to Visit Tibet
The worst time to visit Tibet for most travelers is during the winter months, particularly from January to February. Tibet could experience extremely cold temperatures during this period.
The coldness can exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms, making it more challenging for you to acclimatize.
Some trekking routes may be inaccessible or closed during the winter due to snow and ice, limiting your options for outdoor activities.
But if your body can adapt well, it's also an optional time to visit, and you'll see and experience a less touristy Tibet.
Tibet will close to foreign travelers from mid-February to March each year. If you're planning a trip to Tibet, please be aware of and avoid this period.
The Four Seasons in Tibet
Tibet has four seasons. Each season has its special seasonal experiences and scenery.
As Tibet tour experts, we will recommend the most suitable things to do in Tibet based on your interests and vacation time. Feel free to contact us.
Spring (April to May) — Best for Natural Scenery
- Temperature: 5–19°C (41–66°F)
- It's the best time to go to Nyingchi to see peach blossoms.
- There will be a relatively low risk of altitude sickness.
- Shoulder season
Summer (June to August) — Best for Active Adventures
- Temperature: 12–24°C (54–75°F)
- There will be the lowest risk of altitude sickness.
- All activities are suitable, such as hiking, sightseeing, and festival immersion.
- The busiest travel season
Autumn (September to October) — Best for Weather
- Temperature: 7–20°C (45–68°F)
- There will be a relatively low risk of altitude sickness.
- It is good for hiking, sightseeing, and photography.
- Busy travel season
Winter (November to March) — Budget Friendly
- Temperature: -5–11°C (23–52°F)
- There will be a relatively high risk of altitude sickness.
- Lhasa is still good to visit as there is adequate sunshine.
- Tibet is usually closed to foreign travelers in February and March for 5 or 6 weeks.
- Low season
Tibet Travel Guide by Month
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Tibet in January
- Average daily temperature range: -8–8°C (18–46°F)
- Average snow days: 1
- Average cloudy days: 12
- Average sunny days: 18
January welcomes you to a serene Tibet adorned with a blanket of snow. Despite the cold, this off-peak season offers a peaceful experience with fewer tourists.
Lhasa is the most suitable city to visit in Tibet in winter. It still enjoys enough sunshine, leading to relatively warmer daytime sightseeing.
Explore the Potala Palace in its tranquil glory and many other monasteries. You could also take a walk along Barkhor Street to experience the city's atmosphere.
Discover a hidden lake with blue ice — you could lie on the blue ice to feel the warmth of the sunshine on your body.
Recommended China Tours with Tibet
We are ready to solve the problems of planning a complex trip in an unfamiliar region for you, helping to save you time and effort while ensuring that your travel needs and desires are met. Just contact us to make your trip.
All of our tours, including those recommended below, can be adjusted/customized based on your requirements: