Tibet is now open for traveling. It is a high-altitude plateau set amid tall mountain ranges. The mountain ranges catch the rainfall before it reaches the plateau, so most of Tibet, except for the southeast, is desert steppe, tundra, or permafrost.
Most of Tibet experiences frost at least six months of the year, and the highest lakes have ice from October to March. The weather varies a lot from region to region. The best time to enjoy the scenery in Tibet is from May to October.
Main Features of Tibet's Climate
- Strong sunshine
- Cold and dry
- Large day/night temperature difference
Tibet's high altitude results in:
- Thin air
- Less oxygen
- Lower boiling point
Read about how to deal with altitude sickness in Tibet.
- 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 5 Days Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
- 4 Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
The Best Times to Visit Tibet
Yumbulagang PalaceThe Best Time for Sightseeing
From 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 come for the warmer weather and higher oxygen content.
July and August are the rainy seasons in Tibet, though, apart from in the southeast, there is still not a lot of rain.
The Best Times to Visit Mount Everest
Mount Everest PeakIf you plan to travel to Mt. Everest, travel in April, May, September, or October, when you are more likely to see the peak clearly. It is more likely to be hidden behind thick clouds the rest of the year.
The Best Time to Enjoy Tibetan Festivals
Tangka Unveiled in Shoton FestivalTravelers who are interested in Tibetan festivals are 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.
>>Also to find out Tibetan Festival Calendar
The Best Times for a Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra and Kora
Mt.KailashA "yatra" is a pilgrimage to a sacred place and a "kora" is a religious walk around a sacred site. >>Read more about Kailash Yatra
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.
Tibet Weather and Tourism in the Four Seasons
Due to the high evaluation, Tibet has quite different seasons from other places with a long winter.
Spring (April–May)
Temperature: 5-19°C (41-66°F)
Risk of altitude sickness: relatively low
The ice melts and the weather warms during spring, opening blocked remote roads and making travel outside Lhasa more pleasant.
Tibet reopens to tourism in early April (as it is usually closed to visitors in February and March for Tibetan New Year). If you want to avoid large crowds, visiting Tibet in spring is a good option.
Clothing: Prepare a thicker or double-layered jacket, sportswear, sweaters, trousers, and other warm clothes. If you are going to visit Mount Everest and the remote western Tibet, prepare hard-sole outdoor shoes or sneakers.
>>Find out more of What to Pack for a Tibet Tour
Things to do: Spring is not the most popular tourist season in Tibet so the tickets for flights, trains, hotels, and attractions are easier to book. This is the time to visit the monasteries in Lhasa and to admire the grassland views and lakeside sceneries.
Peach Blossom in Spring,Nyingchi- 13-Days Beijing–Xi'an–Lhasa-Shanghai Private Tour
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- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
Summer (June–August)
Temperature: 12-24°C (54-75°F)
Risk of altitude sickness: lowest
The weather in summer is warm in the daytime and maybe cooler at night. The air has a higher oxygen content than in other seasons. Sometimes it will shower at night or for about an hour in the afternoon in mid-July to late August, so rain is not a big issue even in the rainy season.
Summer is the busiest travel season of the year in Tibet. Transports, accommodations, and tickets are difficult to book in the summer. A good idea is to book a tour with us at least 1 month before your journey and let us confirm all bookings for you.
Clothing: Prepare a thinner or single-layered jacket, sportswear, outdoor suits, and casual wear. Prepare waterproof shoes if you are going to visit snowcapped mountains or lakes. As the temperature is much higher, you can take less luggage with you.
Things to do: Summer is the time to travel to the various attractions in the remoter regions and enjoy the high-altitude sites when the mountain passes are snow-free. It is also the time to hike.
Activities: Tibetans hold their outdoor market fairs and encampments, festivals, and sports contests when the grasslands are at their lushest. Festivals of note include the Ganden Thangka Festival, the Shoton Festival, and the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival.
Hol Xil Nature Reserve with the Train to Tibet - 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 5-Days Tibet Shoton Festival Group Tour
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
Fall (September–October)
Temperature: 7-20°C (45-68°F)
Risk of altitude sickness: relatively low
Fall is also a busy travel season in Tibet and the weather is clear and cool. It's a good time to hike and trek in Tibet, and it's also a good time to shoot photos of mountain peaks, due to fewer clouds.
Clothing: Prepare a thicker or double-layered jacket, sportswear, sweaters, and a down jacket. As the wind grows stronger in the fall, prepare windproof clothes.
Things to do: Autumn is the best time to enjoy the view of snowcapped mountains from a distance. You will have better opportunities to see the peaks of Namcha Barwa or Mount Everest. If you have professional photography equipment, try to shoot the breathtaking starry sky.
Contact us to customize your unique Tibet experience.
Hiking in Gali Village- 11-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp Trek
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
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Winter (November–March)
Temperature: -5-11°C (23-52°F)
Risk of altitude sickness: relatively high
Tibet is usually closed to foreign travelers in February and March for 5 or 6 weeks. Tibet Entry Permits are normally not issued for February and March. Some roads are closed due to the heavy snow.
Clothing: Prepare a thicker down jacket, sweaters, and other warm and windproof clothing. If your luggage is too large, try to reduce the number of packed items and buy some when you arrive.
Things to do: Except for the coldness, it's a good time to travel to lower altitude places like Lhasa, as hotels and travel agencies may offer discounts during winter, and tourists are far fewer than in summer and fall.
Pilgrims at Bakhor StreetAs Tibet tour experts, we will recommend the best suitable things to do in Tibet based on your interests and holiday time. Send an inquiry now for suggestions.
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
- 5-Days Lhasa Classics and Lake Yamdrok Tour
- 13-Days Beijing–Xi'an–Lhasa-Shanghai Private Tour
Weather in Major Tibetan Cities
Choose When to Go, Then Contact Us…
If you are planning a Tibet tour, please see our popular Tibet tours below for inspiration:
- 10-Days Beijing-Lhasa-Shanghai
- 8-Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
- 7-Days Tibet Tours by Train from Xining
- 4-Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour
We have more Tibet tours, or we could create your own individual journey. Just tell us your interests and requirements, and we will customize you a Tibet tour.
For more detailed information on what to expect each month weather-wise, and recommendations on what to do, see below.
