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Weather & Climate in Tibet

The Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. Tibet's climate is favorable to travel from April to the beginning of November, and most ideal in August and September. However, Lhasa's climate is more clement than the rest of Tibet, and is suitable to travel year-round.

The sun in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is called the Sunlight City. Because of the thinness of the air, heat and sunlight are not retained, and the temperature can vary very quickly between extremes. However, it is still very possible to visit Tibet, with May, June and September being the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.

Most annual rainfall in Tibet comes in the rainy season from June to September. During this time it will usually rain at night in Lhasa, Shigatse and Chamdo areas. The rainfall may block roads and make travel difficult, but it is also one of the more beautiful seasons for sightseeing.

Region-specific information: Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nyalan: The Friendship highway is in good condition year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble. Try to avoid during August - landslides are frequent during the rainy season.

Mt. Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best times to visit Mt. Everest. Thanks to the clear weather, this period provides the best views of Mt. Everest. This area is best avoided in the period from December to February because of the extreme cold, except for the truly stout of heart.

Mt.Kailash: Even at the best of times this area is inhospitable. Heavy rain and snow only make things worse. However, for the determined tourist, the best times to visit are May, June, July, September and October.

Eastern Tibet: This area is to be avoided during July and August (the rainy season), as the roads will tend to get washed out, and there is potential for heavy landslides. Also in winter, the roads will be frozen.

Northern Tibet: With an average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers only a very limited window of time for tourism. Summer (July to August) is the prime season to enjoy the great plains of northern Tibet.