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.
Another best time we recommend is the wintertime (November to January). Based on the Tibet travel experience of our advisors, visiting Tibet in winter provides a more enjoyable experience. With fewer tourists, you could avoid long queues, and obtaining tickets for attractions and trains is more easily achievable. Additionally, winter travel often comes with more discounts, making the overall trip more budget-friendly.
Located on a plateau, Tibet gets plenty of sunshine during the day in winter and is not very cold. The sunny weather is also suitable for sightseeing.
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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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. 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.
If the main purpose of your trip to Tibet is to walk, then winter is not a good time either. Some trekking routes may be inaccessible or closed during the winter due to snow and ice, limiting your options for outdoor activities.
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: