Lhasa in October
Good time to visit
October serves up postcard-perfect weather with brilliant skies and comfortable crowds. The crisp air makes everything feel sharper, from mountain views to monastery visits.
Weather
October delivers crisp autumn weather with brilliant blue skies and minimal rainfall. Days warm up nicely in the sunshine but evenings turn genuinely cold, requiring proper jackets. The dry air returns with a vengeance, so bring lip balm.
16°C high2°C low4 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$55/day average
October Tips
- •Perfect weather for photography with crystal-clear mountain views
- •Pack warm clothes for dramatic temperature drops after sunset
- •Shoulder season prices make this budget-friendly timing
All Months
May through September gives you the best weather, with daytime temperatures reaching 20°C and minimal rainfall. But July and August bring crowds and higher prices — hotel rates double during peak season. June hits the sweet spot with warm days, clear skies, and fewer tour groups.
Winter in Lhasa is brutal. Temperatures drop to -15°C at night, many guesthouses close, and the thin air makes the cold feel even sharper. But if you can handle it, you'll have the Potala Palace almost to yourself, and hotel rooms cost half the summer rate.
Avoid Chinese holidays completely — Golden Week in October turns Lhasa into a zoo of domestic tourists. The Tibetan New Year (usually February or March) brings incredible festivals but also means many attractions close for several days.
Lhasa Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
6/10
Families
4/10
Adventure
8/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
3/10
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