Lhasa is usually the first stop for a Tibet tour. Most tourists will visit this city first after arriving in Tibet. They can adapt to the high altitude while visiting the city, after which they can go to places of higher altitude for sightseeing. When people are planning a tour, weather is usually the most concerned problem for them. Bad weather will not only have influence on enjoying the scenery, but will also have influence on deciding what clothes to bring and wear. If you don’t bring enough clothes, you could catch a cold easily.
Although we cannot accurately predict the weather conditions in Lhasa, we can find general rules of the weather in Lhasa according to the weather record. In this way, we can make relatively full preparation and arrangement for a Lhasa tour.
Lhasa is actually a place that is extremely suitable for living. Although the altitude here is relatively high, the climate is pleasant.
In spring and autumn, Lhasa has not become warm yet. It is still a little bit cold. Sometimes it even snows. Despite of the coldness, there is always warm sunshine in the daytime, making this period a perfect time to visit Tibet.
Summer is the peak season of Tibet tourism. Although the sunlight can be strong during this period, you can still feel a cool Lhasa as long as you make full sun-block preparation and stay in shady place. Owing to the rainfall in summer, the temperature in Lhasa can also decrease a lot.
In winter, Lhasa is still warm because of the sunshine. It would be a good idea to go to Lhasa in winter to take a sunbath. You can choose a winter tour route to Lhasa from us.
The rainy season in Tibet is from May to September. Rainfall usually decreases gradually from Nyingchi area in the southeast to Ngari area in the northwest. The rainy season in Lhasa is from June to August, but it often rains at nights, and the rainfall won’t affect the weather on the next day. Therefore, even in rainy season, the weather there is still sunny in the daytime. Besides, because most of the roads in Lhasa today are asphalt roads, there also won’t be any influence on the road conditions in rainy season, guaranteeing a smooth journey for tourists.
There is little rainfall in dry season. It barely rains in winter in Lhasa, but it snows occasionally. It rains and snows in spring and autumn more often than in winter, but less than in the rainy season.
It is true that you can undergo four seasons in Lhasa within one day: summer in the afternoon, autumn at dusk, winter at night, and spring in the morning. During the peak season between June and September, the highest temperature in Lhasa can be as high as 27 – 29 degrees in the daytime. Then it will drop to 15 degrees at dusk. In the midnight, the temperature can be as low as 0 – 5 degrees. Then it will rise again the next morning.
Large temperature difference between day and night appears not only in summer, but also in other seasons. When there is sunshine in the daytime, the temperature difference will be larger. Therefore, you must pay attention to the temperature changes while travelling in Lhasa. Put on more clothes when it is cold, and make full sun-block preparation when there is strong sunshine.
Because of the high altitude, thin clouds, and strong sunshine and wind, the air in Lhasa is relatively dry. There is less rainfall in winter, so the air during this period is drier. And you will feel your skin dry as well. Even with the help of humidifier in the hotel, you will still feel uncomfortable.
When there is wind in summer, you will feel more pleasant. Yet you’d prefer to stay in the hotel than enjoy the scenery outside when there is strong wind in winter. Fortunately, most of the attractions in Lhasa are temples and monasteries, allowing tourists to visit the attractions without bearing the wind.
You won’t sweat easily because of the dry weather. Even in the hot summer, you won’t easily sweat unless you do some strenuous exercises. Therefore, you don’t need to change clothes every day while travelling in Lhasa.
Sufficient sunshine is the feature of the climate on this snowy plateau. Because of the high altitude and sparse vegetation, the air in Tibet is thin and clean, with little dust and water vapor in the air. So when the sunlight passes through the atmosphere, there is small lose in solar radiation energy. As a result, Tibet has become the place which receive the most solar radiation energy in China. Known as the “City of Sunshine”, Lhasa has a total of 3021 hours of sunshine per year, with an average of more than 8 hours of sunshine per day. Even when it rains at night, the sunshine will still appear the next morning. Therefore, many tourists choose to take a sunbath in Lhasa in winter, during which they can also feel the unique charm of this holy city under the sunshine. (Weather Conditions in All Seasons in Tibet)
Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, you can only take the dressing guide here as a reference. You need to decide whether to bring more or less clothes according to your own physical condition.
In spring, the weather in Lhasa is still a little bit cold, with most of the days being rainy and snowy.
You will feel that it is still winter during this period, as average temperature can be as low as 10 degrees.
thermal underwear (100% cotton)+ thick pants + less thick sweaters + thick coats+ thick hiking boots + thermal thick socks.
In summer, the weather in Lhasa is pleasant and cool. Average temperature during this period is about 25 degrees, making Lhasa a perfect summer resort. Although this period is among the rainy season of Lhasa and it often rains at nights, the sun will still appear the next day. Therefore, summer is the peak season of Lhasa. What you need to pay attention to during this period is the low temperature in the morning and at night, because of which you can easily catch a cold.
What to wear in Lhasa in summer: 100% cotton underwear + long-sleeves clothes + thin coats + trousers + normal hiking boots.
When there is sunshine in the daytime, solar radiation can be so strong that you are not suggested to wear shorts and short-sleeves clothes. Long-sleeves clothes would be enough in the cool weather during this period.
It is getting cold in autumn in Lhasa. However, autumn will stay for only a very short time here – about 2 months. The temperature during this period is almost the same as it was in spring, but the air is drier. Another difference is that it is a little bit cold in the morning and at night. Yet the weather in the daytime is still comfortable. With little rainfall in this period, the air is clean and you can enjoy the autumn scenery clearly.
What to wear in Lhasa in autumn: thick thermal underwear (100% cotton)+ less thick trousers + less thick sweaters + less thick coats + normal hiking boots.
Winter will stay for a relatively long time in Lhasa. The weather is cold but it is not that cold. Compared with most of the cities in northern China, Tibet is warmer in winter. There is also sufficient sunshine in Lhasa during this time. The amount of tourists in winter is much less than in summer, so it is less crowded and less noisy in Lhasa during this period. And many tourists who prefer a tranquil place for tour will go to Tibet in winter to enjoy the warm sunshine there. (Recommended Winter Tour Route in Tibet)
What to wear in Lhasa in winter: thick thermal underwear (100% cotton) + thick sweaters + thick coats (down jackets would be better) + thick pants + thermal hiking boots. (Groves, thermal hat, and scarf are also helpful for keeping warm)
Lhasa is warm in winter and cool in summer. It has long hours of sunshine and the sunshine here is very strong. Temperatures difference between day and night is huge. It often rains at nights in summer, but the weather is cool and pleasant, making summer the most comfortable season as well as the peak season of Lhasa. It is relatively warm when there is sunshine in winter. Therefore, you will see many people (including local people and tourists) taking a sunbath if you go to Lhasa in winter. Because of the strong wind, the air in Lhasa is dry, so you need to drink plenty of water and remember to bring your moisturizing cream.
As for clothing, you still need to prepare thick clothes even in summer, although you only need them when you go to high altitude places such as EBC. You should bring clothes of different functions in different seasons: sun-block clothes in summer and wind-proof clothes in winter. Thermal clothes are needed all year round. You may only travel in urban areas of Tibet, or you may only want to climb mountains in suburbs. No matter where you want to go in Tibet, you must wear a pair of hiking boots of good quality. For one reason, the grounds in Tibet are mostly rough, and a pair of good hiking boots can be helpful to protect your feet. For the other reason, hiking boots have better water-proof and warm-keeping functions. As for sleeping bag, you can decide whether to bring it or not according to your own needs. Accommodation facilities in Lhasa are relatively good. If you plan to go to regions such as EBC and Ngari area, where the accommodation facilities are a little poor, you can bring a sleeping bag with you.
This article mainly talks about the climate of Lhasa and gives suggestions as to what to wear in Lhasa in different seasons. Similar articles about the climate of other places in Tibet such as Nyingchi and EBC are also available on our website. Please turn to corresponding articles for suggestions if you have the plan to go to those places.
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