How to play Lhasa? Lhasa Travel Ultimate Guide to help you enjoy Lhasa for 2024/2025

At 3,656 meters above sea level, Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world and a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhism. Lhasa is famous for its beautiful scenery, long history, unique customs and folklore, and strong religious colors. And Lhasa is also the first stop for most of our tourists to travel to Tibet, so how to play in Lhasa for the first time? Here we will provide you with the most complete Lhasa travel guide, including how to get there, the best time to visit, local specialties, must-see attractions and activities, accommodation options, and more. Let you grasp the most comprehensive Lhasa travel information before planning your Lhasa trip, eliminate all minefields for your Lhasa trip, and make your trip worry-free.

How to get to Lhasa? What are the transportation options for a trip to Lhasa?

At present, it is very convenient to travel to Lhasa, and you can choose to get to Lhasa by plane, train or land. Either way, you'll make your trip full of great memories.

Flying is the easiest and fastest way to get to Dalhasa. You can travel to Lhasa from major cities in Chinese mainland such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, etc. by direct or connecting flights. If you decide to fly to Lhasa, it is advisable to book your ticket in advance and make a travel plan according to the flight time.

Of course, you can also choose the train to Lhasa, you can take the train from Chengdu, Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing and other places. The Qinghai-Tibet Train will take you all the way through most of China to Lhasa. However, the train takes a long time, about 22-57 hours, but the breathtaking scenery along the way more than compensates for the long train journey.

In addition, overland tourism is also a very worthwhile way to try. You can enter Tibet by land such as the China-Nepal Friendship Highway, Sichuan-Tibet Line, Yunnan-Tibet Line, Qinghai-Tibet Line and Xin-Tibet Line. If you have enough time, consider taking a road trip with these routes.

When is the best time to visit Lhasa? Can I go to Lhasa in winter?

You can visit Lhasa all year round, and the best time of year to visit Lhasa is from April to June and from September to October. And you can also go to Lhasa in winter, and it is also a good time to visit Lhasa.

Best time to visit Lhasa: April-June and September-October

If you are planning a trip to Lhasa, spring and autumn are the best options. During this time, the weather is clear and the scenery is even more charming. If you want to hike in the highlands area, then this time is the best option.

Spring and autumn in Tibet have less rainfall and moderate temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor hiking. The trekking trail from Ganden Temple to Samye Temple or from Phubangka to Phu Pu Kyaw Temple is a good choice.

Lhasa's peak tourist season: July and August

Summer is the peak season for tourism in Tibet and is also the most popular time in Lhasa. Lhasa has warm weather this season, with daytime highs of 23-25 degrees, making it ideal for tourism. It can be a little cold at night, so it is recommended to wear a warm sweater or jacket.

Summer is also the rainy season in Lhasa, and although Lhasa receives more rain than western and northern Tibet, it is less rainy than eastern Nyingchi. Rainfall is usually in the evening and at night, and most of the day is sunny and good, perfect for sightseeing.

July and August coincide with China's summer holidays, and many families choose to visit Lhasa to escape the summer, so it is advisable to book flights and hotels in advance to avoid excessive travel costs.

Tips:
When traveling to Lhasa in summer, be sure to pay attention to sun protection and moisturizing to avoid sunburn.

In winter, you can visit Lhasa, which costs less and is the best time for bird watching in Tibet.

Lhasa is known as the "City of Daylight", with an average of more than 8 hours of sunshine per day throughout the year. Winters in Lhasa are not as cold as we think. In contrast, Lhasa has dry and sunny winters, with average temperatures ranging from 7-9°C.

In addition, winter is the off-season for tourism in Tibet, and traveling to Tibet at this time can enjoy the tranquility and more authentic Lhasa without too many tourists. Compared to other seasons, it is cheaper to travel to Lhasa in winter. This is because many hotels offer discounts to attract tourists. Flights to Tibet are often discounted, and many attractions also offer activities such as ticket reductions.

Winter is also a great time to go bird watching in Lhasa, especially in December, where you can watch flocks of migratory birds hovering and dancing freely under the blue sky and white clouds.

Can foreigners visit Lhasa attractions freely without joining a group?

At present, foreign tourists are not allowed to visit alone or wander around Lhasa, especially to tourist attractions such as Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, etc., and must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide.

In fact, due to the language barrier, it is better for foreigners to visit Lhasa with a professional guide.

Your guide can explain the history and culture of each temple to give you a better understanding of Tibet's history and cultural traditions. In addition, the tour guide can also take you to experience local food, go to the local Tibetan-style sweet tea house to drink sweet tea, so that you can better integrate into the local lifestyle, understand the living habits and cultural traditions of the local people, and better enjoy a unique and unforgettable trip to Lhasa.

Besides Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, what other attractions are worth visiting in Lhasa?

In addition to the famous Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, Lhasa has a lot to offer. Typically, our classic 4-day guided tour of Lhasa takes you to three of Lhasa's top attractions, including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, and Sera Monastery, one of the three major monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. However, if you have a day or two left, you can add the following activities to your itinerary.

Phra Bang Capu Pu Kyaw Temple on a walking day trip

A day hike from Phapongka to Phu Bujue Monastery takes you to explore a small niche spot on the outskirts of Lhasa – Pabangka. Pabangka, which means "palace on stone" in Tibetan, is a palace built on complete stone, which is still standing for thousands of years.

Trekking from Pabangka to Phu Bu Kyaw Monastery will pass through Zahi Churin, Qusang Richai, Ani Guangpa, Sera Uzi Richai, and Kikura Nichi Chao before finally reaching Phu Bu Kyaw Monastery.

Travel Tips:
Hiking in Lhasa at high altitude is not an easy hike, so it is recommended that visitors adapt to the high altitude of Lhasa before doing this hike.

Recommended Itinerary:

The holy region of Lhasa, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Pabangka walking 5 days and 4 nights leisure tour

Ganden Temple Mountain Turning Mountain Trekking Day Tour

Ganden Monastery is located halfway up the mountain, and together with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, it is known as the "three major monasteries" of Lhasa. It takes half a day for Ganden Temple to turn to the mountain. Climb the high ground behind the Ganden Monastery and hike around the Ganden Monastery to overlook the beautiful Lhasa River Valley, which is best in spring and autumn.

Recommended Itinerary:

5 Days Lhasa to Ganden Monastery group tour, the holy city of Tibet

Yamdrok Lake day trip

Yamdrok Lake is one of the "three holy lakes" in Tibet, which is relatively close to Lhasa, about 2 hours by car. Gangbara Pass is the only way for most tourists to go to Yamdrok Lake, and the view of Yamdrok Lake from the 4,790-meter altitude is like a long blue streamer. There are multiple viewing platforms along the road, and the angle of Yamdrok Lake seen by different platforms is different, and the color of the lake will also change, please be sure to slow down and enjoy.

Recommended Itinerary:

Tibet's holy city of Lhasa, holy lake Yamdrok Lake 5-day tour

Recommended Itinerary:

6-day tour of the holy city of Lhasa, Tibet, and Namco Lake

Can you go directly from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp without adapting to the altitude?

If you are visiting Lhasa for the first time, it is not recommended to go directly to Everest Base Camp from Lhasa, which is 3650 meters above sea level. When you first arrive at the plateau, you need to leave enough time for the body to adapt to the hypoxic environment of the plateau, and going directly to the high altitude without altitude adaptation is easy to cause or aggravate the altitude, and it may endanger life safety if it is serious.

Therefore, it is recommended to stay in Lhasa for at least two days to gradually adapt to the plateau environment. After the body adapts to the plateau environment, go to the base camp of Mount Everest and gradually increase the altitude so that the body can better adapt. During the trip, you should also rest more, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol and excessive strenuous exercise.

If you choose to travel from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, it is recommended to join a tour group organized by an experienced Tibetan travel agency, and a professional tour guide will provide you with necessary advice and help to make your trip worry-free.

Are there any other options for traveling to Lhasa than staying in Tibetan hotels?

During your stay in Lhasa, there are many other types of accommodation options besides staying in Tibetan-style hotels. In Lhasa, you can find something for you, from high-end five-star hotels to small, authentic Tibetan-style hotels.

If you're on a budget and want to enjoy a more upscale stay, four- and five-star high-end hotels are good choices. Such as The St. Regis Lhasa Resort & Spa, Shangri-La, etc. These hotels are well-equipped and attentive to provide a luxurious stay. However, the prices of these hotels are relatively high.

In short, there are many options for hotel accommodation in Lhasa, so please choose according to your needs and budget. No matter what type of accommodation you choose, you can have a great time traveling in Lhasa.

Is it necessary to choose a tour to travel to Lhasa?

If you don't know much about Tibet, a trip to Lhasa by joining a tour organized by a local trip to Tibet may be a wiser choice.

Traveling to Lhasa through a travel agency can help you apply for relevant documents such as entry letters, arrange itineraries, provide tour guides, use cars and other services. In addition, joining the tour will provide you with better security and travel experience.

Of course, when choosing a Tibet travel agency, you should also pay attention to choosing a regular Tibet travel agency and ensure that it has a good reputation and service quality. Before choosing, you should also learn more about the itinerary and services provided by the travel agency to avoid any unnecessary troubles or risks.

If you choose us as your travel agent for your trip to Lhasa, you will be fully escorted. We have a professional tour guide team and rich tourism resources, which can tailor a suitable tour route and itinerary for you. Whether you want to explore Lhasa's historical and cultural heritage, or want to experience the mysterious atmosphere and natural scenery of the Tibetan plateau, we can provide you with the best service and the most competitive price.

What other dining options are there when visiting Lhasa besides eating Tibetan food?

Lhasa's cuisine is not limited to Tibetan food, visitors can try a variety of flavors. No matter where you're from, Lhasa has something for your dietary needs.

With the rapid development of tourism in Lhasa, Lhasa has become a place of multicultural cuisine. Whether you are a seeker of Western food, or a lover of Sichuan, Indian, or Nepalese cuisine, Lhasa will find a restaurant to suit your taste.

If you are vegetarian, Lhasa also has many restaurants that offer rich vegetarian menus. If you have special dietary needs, just tell your guide and they will take you to gourmet restaurants that suit your tastes.

Do you have a lot to bring with you when traveling to Lhasa? Which ones to bring?

You don't need to bring a lot to Lhasa, but exactly what luggage to bring depends on your travel season and travel route. Due to the dry climate of the plateau and the large temperature difference, the following points need to be paid attention to in terms of clothing:

Clothing: Due to the large temperature difference between morning and evening, it is best to bring a light jacket or jacket in case you need it. If you plan to go to high-altitude areas such as Kailash and Everest Base Camp, you can bring some warm clothing, such as down jackets, storm jackets, thermal underwear, etc., in order to cope with cold weather. Also bring some light summer clothing, such as short sleeves, light jackets, etc., which can be worn during the day when the temperature is high.

Sunscreen products: Due to the strong ultraviolet rays on the plateau, it is recommended to bring sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and other sunscreen products.

Medicine: Due to the high altitude of Lhasa, coupled with lack of oxygen, you may feel dizziness, fatigue and other mild hyper-reflex symptoms, you can follow the doctor's advice to bring some anti-hyper-reflex drugs. In addition, you can also bring some commonly used medicines, such as cold medicine, painkillers, etc.

In general, traveling to Lhasa requires choosing clothing and supplies according to the weather and your own needs.

Join us in the streets of Lhasa in 2023 and leave your footprints!

Above are some basic information and suggestions for you to travel in Lhasa, hoping to help you have a deeper understanding of this mysterious and beautiful city. But the above information is only the tip of the iceberg about Lhasa tourism, if you want to explore Lhasa better, you can choose to travel Lhasa with us, we can customize a personalized Lhasa travel plan for you, and provide comprehensive Lhasa travel services, which will surely make your Lhasa trip full of good memories. Get moving, let's start this wonderful journey together!