As it is freezing in winter and hot in summer, the earliest and one of the best time to visit Tibet throughout the year is definitely April, when the temperature is neither too low nor too high in the daytime (16 degrees is usually the highest). But what should be paid attention to is that temperature in Tibet this time varies greatly between day and night in western places in Tibet. If you don’t like the cold weather at nights, you can go to the eastern places, where temperature is higher that of the western places.
The Sun only appears for a short time in the afternoon or evening, but the climate here is still very dry as rain barely comes down in April in Tibet. Temperature this time increases very quickly, so even when there is little sunshine in the daytime, it is still a lot warmer than it really is when there is full of sunshine.
Tibet in April
Most-Visited Places in Tibet along the way from Lhasa to Kathmandu via Overland in April There are several reasons that can explain why people should go to Tibet in April. Firstly, it is less crowded in Tibet in April compared with other time of the year. Secondly, discounts are usually offered by airline companies and hotels, so it is cheaper to travel to Tibet in April than in summer. Thirdly, visitors who take a trip to Tibet in April are able to enjoy the attractions which are closed during winter and will open to the public again in April.
Although it is likely that the ice of some places like Lake Namtso, EBC and Mount Kailash haven’t fully melted in early April, travelling to Tibet is not as difficult as people think, because snow and ice on the roads for transportation have already been cleared. With this piece of information, now let’s have a look at the information about small group tours in Tibet.
In April, the icy Tibet is woken from a dead sleep by the gentle breeze of spring. And not only can Tibetans feel the increasing temperature this time, but they can also see a rising number of tourists arriving to Tibet. For those who have never come to Tibet before, they had better not underestimate the huge temperature difference between day and night. While it is 16 degrees in the daytime, the temperature could drop to as low as 2 degrees at night . So even if it is fairy warm in the daytime, don’t forget to bring with you a coat or sweater for the cold evening. To acclimate to the high altitude sickness, visitors had better stay in Lhasa for the first few days.
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street and Drepung Monastery are major attractions for tourists in downtown Lhasa. But there is still one place that visitors can not miss — the lanes of old residential area in Lhasa, where they can have a cup of sweet tea in the tea house and enjoy the historical atmosphere of Lhasa. The heated debate among the monks in Sera Monastery is another interesting event that can not be missed while travelling in Lhasa. Drak Yerpa Monastery and Ganden Monastery will be good choices for light trek lovers, as they can enjoy great sightseeing of Lhasa Valley from the two places.
Drak Yerpa Monastery
A light down coat is the best choice for a trip to Lhasa in April. It would be better to wear a sweater and a fleece shirt inside. Because of the strong sunshine, it would be very hot in Lhasa at noon. At this time, we suggest that you wear a baseball cap to protect yourself from the sunshine. Although Lhasa is getting warm in April, there are still chances of snow. Therefore, you can consult your guide about the weather or check the weather forecast with your mobile phone software before you go out in the morning. It may snow in the morning during this period, so you must take off or put on clothes in accordance to the temperature. Otherwise you may catch a cold.
For visitors who mainly come to Tibet for the sapphire Namtso Lake in April, they may be disappointed with what they will see while visiting the place, as the lake has not fully melted this time. But for some other travelers, Namtso is rather attractive in April. The beautiful change of the sightseeing in Namtso from cold winter to warm spring is one of the reasons to explain why people would come here in April. Besides, visitors can also have a glimpse of the life of local nomads in Nagqu region while travelling from Lhasa to Namtso. They can do a lot of things here, like visiting the nomads’ yak tent, enjoying the healing hot spring in Yangpachen, taking photos of the lofty Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, smiling herdsmen and Tibetans pilgrims, who plan to make pilgrimages in Namtso. Although it takes about 6 hours to drive from Lhasa to Namtso, the trip is not bad because of these exciting discoveries.
Lake Namtso
There is one thing visitors need to remember. Namtso Lake is located at an altitude of 4718 m and the best place to enjoy its beauty is the imposing Nagenla Pass (5190m). While standing on the Nagenla Pass, don’t forget to bring with you a warm scarf. Mitten and beanie are also highly recommended, as there will be strong winds at the pass. Besides, don’t expect too much on the accommodation facilities in the scenic areas, as this is an tour of adventure but not of comfort.
In the daytime, the ultraviolet and solar radiation are strong, so you need to pay attention to protect yourself from a sunburn. As the temperature is still relatively low in Namtso during this period, you had better wear a down coat to keep out the cold. In addition, a thermal hat and scarf would be much useful to keep yourself warm.
From mid-March to early April, the most popular attraction in Tibet is definitely Nyingchi, where dazzling pinky peach blossoms can be seen everywhere, including the valleys and riverbanks. Nyingchi is an earthly heaven for visitors and photographers, as they can enjoy the beautiful scenery and take amazing photos there. Meanwhile, with an average altitude of around 3000m, the weather in Nyingchi in early spring is warmer than that of other places. What’s more, thanks to the low altitude, people are not likely to get altitude sickness in Nyingchi. Other activities that visitors can enjoy around Nyingchi include cruising the tranquil Basum Tso Lake and going hiking in Lulang Forest and the mighty Namche Barwa. More information about tours in Nyingchi. The peach blossoms in Nyingchi are the most popular in Tibet in April.
Peach Blossom and Mount Namcha Barwa
In April, you can see people wearing beautiful dresses in Nyingchi, but you can also see people wearing thick down coats. Generally speaking, spring clothes would be enough for a trip to Nyingchi in April. However, we still suggest that you bring a light coat in case you should feel cold.
Shannan, a prefecture-level city in Tibet, is warm and moist in spring, but the average temperature there is fairly low in April. Drizzles are common in Shannan because of the warm wind from Indian Ocean. However, the landscape in April there will absolutely not get you disappointed.
Although it takes two and a half hours to get to the famous turquoise Yamdrok Lake from Lhasa, visitors will find it worth every minute, as they can enjoy the incredible sapphire water of Yamdrok Lake and adorable Tibetan mastiffs along the way. People who want to learn the source of Tibetan culture and Buddhism must not miss the Samye Monastery and Yungbulakang Palace, where they can learn a lot about the long history of profound Tibetan Buddhism as well as the legend of the first Tibetan king.
Yungbulakang Palace
The best clothing choice for a trip to Shannan in spring would be the followings：thick pants or trousers + thick sweater + thick coat. Sport shoes are the best for a trip to all the places in Tibet, because the roads in Tibet are pretty rough.
People don’t have to worry much about the the weather of Yamdrok Lake in April. Unlike the frozen Namtso Lake, the turquoise Yamdrok Lake, together with the warm sunshine, has been ready to welcome visitors from afar. They can get a panorama view of Yamdrok Lake at the renowned Gangbala Pass (4978m), where winds are strong and chilly. So don’t forget to bring with you a scarf and down jacket before getting there. Visitors can take photos on the viewing platform, with lovely Tibet mastiffs being the backgrounds. Time permitted, visitors can take a walk along the shore of the greenish-blue Yamdrok Lake, where they can do activities like yoga and meditation. The turquoise Yamdrok lake is an eye-opening place in April.
Yamdrok Lake
Sweaters and fleece jackets are still needed for a trip to Yamdrok Lake in April. When there is no sunshine in the daytime, you need to put on extra thermal underwear inside and button up your coat tightly to against the wind.
While travelling from Lhasa to Shigatse, it may be a good idea to make a stop at Gyantse, an enchanting county that can be visited throughout the year. It is located at the peaceful and fertile Nyang Chu Valley, making it a safe place free from major natural disasters. As it is crowded and it often rains in summer, one of the best time to go to Gyantse is April. But the huge temperature difference between day and night is still one of the problems that can not be ignored.
The Nepali-style Gyantse Kumbum pagoda, a famous tourist attraction in Gyantse, is located in the Palcho Monastery. It has multiple floors and while climbing up the pagoda, visitors can enjoy delicate murals and hundreds of Buddha sculptures. Nearby the monastery is an old street of Gyantse. And it only takes a few minutes to walk from the monastery to the street. The fortresses in Gyantse is one of the places that can not be missed. Visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of the whole Gyantse County while standing on the top of the fortresses. Besides, the historical lanes around are also worth visiting. Gyantse was an important trade hub between Kathmandu and Lhasa in the history.
Gyantse Kumbum pagoda
If the energy you left only allows you to visit one place, Gyantse fortresses should definitely be the target. When the British army invaded Tibet in 1940, the fortresses played an important role in the fight. Visitors will marvel at the full view of Nyang Chu Valley and Palcho Monastery while standing on the top of the fortresses. For trek lovers, the classic 3-day trek from Shalu to Nartang, the shortest and one of the comfortable trek routes in Tibet, is a good choice.
The weather in Gyantse is quite similar to the weather in Lhasa. But the wind here is stronger than the wind in Lhasa, so you need to bring an extra light coat and scarf to against the wind during this period.
Shigatse is not only the gateway city to Mt. Everest and the second largest city in Tibet, it is also the seat of generations of Panchen Lamas. Located at an average altitude of over 4000m, the air in Shigatse is thin and the air pressure is a little bit low. Temperature in Shigatse remains relatively stable throughout the year, but temperature could vary greatly between day and night. Weather in Shigatse in April is mostly dry and windy. Luckily, the wind is not chilly at all, as there is always sunshine in the daytime. So April is a great time to visit Shigatse. More information about the the attractions in Shigatse.
Tashilunpo Monastery is a major destination in Shigatse for tourists. A lot of things can be done in the monastery, like walking over the cobbled lanes, watching the monks chanting in the great assemble hall, and observing the gigantic gilded statue of the Future Buddha, etc. There are numerous scriptures and murals on the wall, describing the history of Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a place where many Tibetans make pilgrimage. Following the tour guides, tourists can take part in a small Kora (trek) around the monastery. And they can see a beautiful Shigatse Dzong in different ways. Time permitted, visiting the summer palace of Panchen Lamas in the south of the Shigatse is another good choice. After that you can go to the Everest Base Camp.
Tashilunpo Monastery
Although Shigatse is only a little higher than Lhasa, and the temperature difference between them is not very huge, you should wear more clothes while going to Shigatse from Lhasa, because the places along the way are located at pretty high altitudes. There will be strong wind along the way, so we suggest that you put on a scarf to protect your neck, face and head from the wind.
April is the dry season in Tibet and the weather is ideal to enjoy Mt. Everest clearly, making April itself one of the best time to visit Everest Base Camp (5200m). Roads which are blocked in winter will be cleared in April, allowing visitors to have the chance to enjoy the amazing views of Mt. Everest. Due to the extreme adverse natural conditions like thin air, strong gale and bitter-cold weather, Mt. Everest was a trekking or mountaineering destination for adventure lovers only. Luckily, a series of backup facilities have been built in the Everest Base Camp, which makes this holy mountain becomes more and more touchable for normal travelers. One thing needed to be kept in mind is that EBC will remain closed till mid-April, so do not go there before that time. If you still want to see the spectacular view of the Everest before mid-April, just go to the Rongbuk Monastery (5154m), the world’s highest Buddhist site. Visitors can stay there for a few days as guesthouses are offered in the monastery.
Rongbuk Monastery
Backup facilities built in the Everest Base Camp are just for basic needs, so don’t expect too much on them. Sightseeing in EBC is spectacular for photography, like the sunrise over Everest and panoramic view of the top 4 highest peaks along the Great Himalayas at Gawu La Pass. So visitors had better to prepare as many memory cards and back-up batteries as they can. Other things that are needed for an EBC tour are down jacket, thermal underwear, thick gloves and socks, scarf, beanie, sunglasses and sunscreen. Information about the most popular EBC tours in Tibet.
No matter whether you stay overnight in EBC or not, you must pay attention to keep yourself warm when you go there. Although places such as Lhasa and Nyingchi have already become so warm that you can wear single clothes to travel in April, it is still cold in EBC and you need to wear thick winter clothes to keep yourself warm. Thick down coats and fleece jackets are the most useful equipment to against the coldness. If you are not cold-resistant, you must put on an extra hat and scarf to keep warm.
Mount Kailash is one of the places which are blocked in winter and open to the public again in April. More and more tourists and pilgrims can be seen on the way to the sacred mountain this time. The weather here is getting warmer, with the temperature ranging from -15 degrees to -2 degrees in the daytime. Kailash Trek ( Kora Trek) is a great adventure to the Western Tibet and home to the major pilgrimage site of Mt. Kailash. Although it is open to the public again in April, tourists need to pay attention to the road conditions along the way, as snows are still covered over most of the mountain trails and land. Located at an altitude of 5630m, winds are fierce at Drolma La, the pass of Mount Kailash. During the trek, people can have a special experience of the continuous ups and downs of Drolma La.
Happy Local Pilgrims
In spite of the freezing wind and icy high passes, Mt.Kailash looks holier because of the snow-covered land, visibility of the region, and an increasing number of the prostrating local pilgrims. Before the beginning of a Kailash Trek, visitors must prepare things like trekking poles, thermal clothes, down jacket, windproof jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, trekking boots, and sleeping bags. With all the necessities and the help offered by our experienced Tibetan guide and trekking assistants, the 3-day trek around Mt.Kailash will be safe and adventurous.
If you plan to go to Mt. Kailash in April, you should bring thick and thermal clothes such as down coats, cotton coats, wind-proof jackets and thermal under. As for shoes, mountaineering boots would be better.
April is the earliest time for trips between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Snow and ice covered over the plains and valleys that visitors pass through during their way to western Himalayas and the pass into Nepal just began to melt in April. So it is still dangerous to drive directly through the plains and valleys in April. Thanks to the Friendship Highway (or the Sino-Nepal Highway), which is an asphalt road, a journey between Lhasa and Kathmandu in April is possible now.
While travelling from Lhasa to Kathmandu, visitors can take a short visit in Gynatse and Shigatse. They can also go to visit the famous Everest Base Camp before heading for Kathmandu from the Gyirong Port. After crossing the Resuo Bridge, visitors are now standing on the territory of Nepal. Then they can begin their trip in Kathmandu from the beautiful valley. Visitors can buy service for transferring from Gyirong Port to Kathmandu from our company (60 USD for each person).
Tips: For visitors who want to travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa via overland, they will have to apply for both the Tibet Permit and China Group Visa in Kathmandu. With the help of our staff, visitors can get their documents done quickly. One thing to remember is that visitors have to apply for the visa at least 3 days before their tour starts, as it will take 3 working days to finish the process. After handing in the passports, out travel consultants will help you get all the details done.
The Peach Blossom Festival held between mid-march and early April is the biggest festival in Nyingchi and one of the most important festivals in Tibet. It is held to attract more travelers to enjoy the beauty of peach blossoms there and discover the spectacular culture of Nyingchi. During the Peach Blossom Festival, visitors can not only enjoy the pleasant views of peach blossoms, but can also experience many interesting local activities organized by local Tibetan and governments, such as the photography contest of peach flowers, horse racing, archery and stone-carrying competition.
Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival was firstly held on March 15th, 2003. The opening date of Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is not fixed, as it depends on the blooming season of peach blossoms in the year. But mostly the festival starts from mid-March. Although peach trees can be found all over the area in Nyingchi, the peach blossoms mainly spread in places like banks of Niyang River and the road from Mainlin Airport to Bayi Town. The top recommended places that visitors can go to enjoy the best peach blossom views are Bome County, Zayu County, Bayi District, Mainling County, Nang County, and Gongbo'gyamda County.
Although April is the beginning of spring, the weather in Tibet this time can still be cold at nights. And even during the daytime, the weather is not as warm as you think, with the temperature ranging from 5 degrees to 16 degrees. Besides, as Tibet is located at a high altitude, it is also essential to prepare some thermal clothes with multiple layers before getting there. The weather are mostly sunny and the skies are clear, but there are still chances of rainfall. So it would be useful to bring with you a rainproof jacket.
There are many things that visitors need to prepare before their tours to Tibet. Firstly, a pair of boots with good qualities and thick socks are essential, as they can keep your feet warm. Secondly, a down or woolen jacket and thermal pants (not jeans) are necessary to keep your legs warm. Thirdly, a hat that can keep your head warm and block the ultraviolet rays from the Sun is also very important. Besides, if you don’t want to get a great tan while travelling in Tibet, you should also bring with you sunglasses, moisturizer, lip balm and sunscreen.
If you want to go trekking in Tiber in April, make sure that you have suitable equipment to keep your camera, telephone, and other gadgets from the coldness. A good backpack is also indispensable, as you will need it to carry things like a coldness-proof sleeping bag, tent and clothes. Snow has not fully melted in April, so the lands can still be slippery. It would be better to carry trekking poles with you. Ultimate packing list for a Tibet tour.
April is one of the best time to travel to Tibet throughout the year. It is a time when Tibet wakes up from a dead sleep. There are many tour routes of different experience in Tibet, among which the most popular one is the Lhasa-Kathmandu route. Visitors can visit places like Nyingchi, Namtso, and EBC along the way.
Flowers throughout Tibet begin to bloom in early April because of the warm weather. Although some places are still covered with snow, temperature is getting higher in the daytime. However, it can still be cold at night. If you want to have a pleasant experience while travelling in Tibet, you had better to make full preparation before getting there.
Among the few festivals in April in Tibet, Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival is definitely the most famous one. So it would be better to start the journey in Tibet from Nyingchi, where you can enjoy the beauty of peach blossoms and discover the spectacular culture of Nyingchi.
The peak season for tourism in Tibet is summer, when people with cameras and phones are everywhere. Therefore, April should be the earliest and one of the best time to visit Tibet throughout the year.
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