When to go · Lhasa

Lhasa in December

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, thin air), Jul–Aug (rain and peak domestic crowds).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / −9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C); average high / low
Rain days: 1
Crowds: Low; China overall
Prices: Low; China overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Lhasa

Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, thin air), Jul–Aug (rain and peak domestic crowds).

December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

LhasaHighs around 9 °C (48 °F), lows around -9 °C (16 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 48 °F (9 °C), lows around 16 °F (-9 °C), rain on about 1 day
Tibetan plateau, China · Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghaicool
Altitude 3,000–5,000 m: strong sun, cold nights all year. Permits for Tibet often pause in March — check.

China overall: Cold north, pleasant south and Yunnan; Harbin ice season opens late in the month.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Lhasa, side by side.

First month

Second month

December: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, thin air), Jul–Aug (rain and peak domestic crowds).

May: Inside Lhasa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Lhasa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.