LHASA WEATHER IN
MAY
TEMPERATURES
May is a great time to visit Lhasa. Starting from the middle of May, daytime temperatures steadily hover over 19.9°C / 67.8°F. On most of the days, temperature ranges between 12°C / 54°F and 25°C / 77°F.
At the same time, even night temperatures rise above feezing, often reaching 10°C / 50 °F. The average nighttime tempearture settles on 5.6°C (42.1°F). On most nights, temperatures ranges from 2 °C / 35 °F and 13 °C / 56 °F.
The wind speed is similar to that in April, hovering around 10 km per hour / 6 miles per hour.
HISTORICAL WEATHER DATA
CLOUDS, RAINFALL, AND HUMIDITY
May continues to be a dry season with mostly clear skies. There is only a 25% chance of an overcast day.
However, the probability of rain steadily increases from the beginning towards the end of the month. If you travel in the beginning of May, the chance of rain is only 5%, while in the middle of the month it is 15% and goes up to 17% at the end of May.
On average, there are 10 rainy days in Lhasa in May and a total of 27.7mm / 1.09 inches of rainfall.
The total rainfall is only about 8 mm / 0.3 inches in the beginning of May going up to 30mm / 1.2 inches towards the end of the month.
Humidity is steady in May at about 40%.
DAYLIGHT AND UV INDEX
In May the day continues to grow. On May 1st the day is 13 hours and 19 minutes long. The sunrise is at 5:13 am and sunset at 6:32 pm.
On May 31st Lhasa enjoys 13 hours and 55 minutes of daylight. The sun rises at 4:56 am and sets at 6:50 pm.
Sun radiation continues to be strong in May, reaching the UV index of 12. You need to be careful and protect your eyes and skin from the strong sunshine.
COMPARING LHASA WEATHER IN OTHER MONTHS
April
Average high: 15.9°C (60.6°F)
Average low: 3°C (37.4°F)
Rainfall: 6.1mm /0.24″
Humidity: 37%
Daylight: about 12.9hours
Sunshine: about 8.3hours
Windspeed: 11.3 kph/ 7.0 mph
Sunrise: 5:45 – 5:14 am
Sunset: 6:13 – 6:31 pm
May
Average high: 19.9°C (67.8°F)
Average low: 5.6°C (42.1°F)
Rainfall: 27.7mm /1.09″
Humidity:44%
Daylight: about 13.6hours
Sunshine: about 8.9hours
Windspeed: 9.8 kph / 6.1 mph
Sunrise: 5:13 – 4:56 am
Sunset: 6:32 – 6:50 pm.
June
Average high: 23.2°C (73.8°F)
Average low: 9.8°C (49.6°F)
Rainfall: 71.2mm /2.8″
Humidity: 51%
Daylight: about 14hours
Sunshine: about 8.6hours
Windspeed: 9 kph / 5.6 mph
Sunrise: 4:58 – 4:54 am
Sunset: 6:51 – 6:59 pm
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT LHASA IN MAY
May is one of the best months to visit Lhasa for people with different interests. First of all, the weather is great. From the second half of the month, it is consistently warm with hot days and comfortable morning and evening temperatures. Unlike in early spring, there is no big drop in temperatures when the sun is not shining.
Second, May remains a dry month with many sunny days.
The third reason to visit Lhasa in May is the Saga Dawa festival that often falls in May. Tibetans celebrate the festival according to the Lunar calendar. According to the world calendar, it usually falls in May and sometimes in June. The festival commemorates the day of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. It attracts many pilgrims to Lhasa.
Finally, except for the first week in May, when China celebrates a holiday and people have a one-week-long vacation, May sees not as many tourists and other warm months.
All these reasons make May a good time to visit Lhasa to enjoy good weather and still avoid large crowds of tourists.
LHASA GALLERY
WHAT TO WEAR IN LHASA IN MAY
Since the weather is becoming warmer in May, you won’t need as many clothes as you would in early spring. If you are traveling in Lhasa and surrounding areas only, you won’t need a very warm jacket. Still, as the temperatures during the daytime are much higher than in the mornings and evenings, it is best to wear layers. Have a short or long sleeve t-shirt, a sweater, and a windbreaker or a light jacket.
For all your walking tours you should wear pair of comfortable shoes. Bring a pair of sneakers or hiking boots that you already broke in and can wear all day long.
As the UV index is very high in May, you need good sun protection. Pack a pair of sunglasses, a baseball hat or a wide brim hat, sunscreen, and clothes with long sleeves.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEATHER IN LHASA AND TIBET
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LHASA WEATHER
Frequently asked questions
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PLACES TO VISIT IN LHASA
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LHASA
LHASA ALTITUDE
Lhasa altitude is 3,656 meters/ 11,995 feet above sea-level. At that altitude, the oxygen level is lower compared to the sea level. For most visitors, it will take a few days to naturally acclimatize to such altitude.
On your first days in Lhasa, we recommend getting more rest, walking slowly, and taking your time going up the stairs. In addition, try to get more sleep, stay hydrated, and avoid exercising. Most people will naturally acclimatize after a couple of days in Lhasa and will be ready to explore high-altitude areas in Tibet.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
All foreign visitors traveling to Lhasa need a valid Chinese visa. You can apply for a Chinese visa in the country where you reside. For travelers, who plan to travel to Lhasa from Nepal, the procedure is different and you will need to apply for a Chinese Group Visa in Kathmandu.
Your local Tibetan agency will apply for all necessary permits to travel in Tibet. It might take up to 15 business days to receive your permit, you need to arrange your tour in advance. Once the permit is ready, your agency will mail it to you. All foreign travelers need the original permit to travel to Tibet.
HOW TO TRAVEL TO LHASA
You can travel to Lhasa by flight, train, or overland. Because of the long duration of the overland journey and high transportation costs for tourists in Tibet, most travelers prefer to fly or to take a train.
Flights are available from all major cities in China, including non-stop flights from Beijing, Xining, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lijiang, Kunming, and Shangri La. In addition, there are 90 minute long flights from Kathmandu in Nepal.
Traveling by train to Lhasa takes time, however, offers a great way to enjoy the scenery along the way. Cities with railroad connections to Lhasa are Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xining, and Lanzhou.
MORE ABOUT LHASA
Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, and its cultural and religious center. Read more about geography, history, modern day and Lhasa. Main attractions, when to visit, and the best tours in Lhasa.
POPULAR TOURS IN LHASA
4 DAYS LHASA TOUR
5 DAYS LHASA SIGHTSEEING
5 DAYS LHASA SURROUNDINGS
5 DAYS LHASA AND NATURAL WONDERS
6 DAYS TIBET HIGHLIGHTS
LHASA DAY TOURS
POPULAR TOURS IN TIBET
8 DAYS LHASA TO EVEREST TOUR
A beautiful and exciting journey, starting in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and going to the Everest Base Camp. The tour visits Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera, Drepung and Tashilhunpo monasteries, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Lake, and Karola glaciers.
Both group and private tours are available.
15 DAYS MOUNT KAILASH PILGRIMAGE TOUR
One of our most popular group tours, starting in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and going to Mount Kailash for three-day trekking around this sacred mountain. During this tour, we visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse monastery and Kumbum stupa, Mount Everest, Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, and much more.
7 DAYS LHASA TO KATHMANDU TOUR
This tour starts in Lhasa. We will stay there for 2 days to explore the capital and acclimatize. After that, we will head to the center of attraction in the Himalayas – Mount Everest. We will spend a night by the highest mountain on a planet and continue driving through majestic mountain ranges, alongside rivers and waterfalls to the border between Tibet and Nepal.
PREPARE FOR TIBET TOUR
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