brown and white concrete building under white clouds during daytime

Tibet

Tibet is a high plateau region in western China, known for Lhasa's palaces and temples, high lakes and dry, open country.

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Tibet covers much of the Tibetan Plateau, and China governs most of it as the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is the homeland of the Tibetans, and the region is nicknamed the Roof of the World, with an average elevation above 4,000 m. Mount Everest, about 8,848 m, sits on the Nepal border and is the highest point in Tibet. Lhasa, the traditional capital, is known for the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, the Jokhang temple and Ramoche Temple.

Beyond Lhasa, travelers head for the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, high lakes such as Namtso and Yamdrok Lake, and Mount Kailash, a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Tibetans alike. The climate is very dry for nine months of the year, and western Tibet is cold and windswept, with barren plains. Lhasa gets over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Altitude shapes every day here, so build slack into your first days.

Tibet in five

Read the UK advice for Tibet firstThe UK government says you "must get a permit to travel to Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) through a specialist travel agent in China" and "must also travel on an organised tour". Arrange it before you buy flights.UK regional risks
Expect permits to change without noticeThe same advice says the Chinese authorities sometimes stop issuing permits without notice, or restrict travel to Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in neighboring provinces, even with a permit. Choose refundable bookings.
Plan altitude into every dayUNESCO places the Potala Palace at 3,700 meters. The Lhasa guide holds the TravelHealthPro rules of thumb for the first days, so read it before you fix the itinerary.Lhasa
Follow the photography and gathering rulesThe UK government says to avoid large public gatherings, not to film public security forces or altercations, and to ask before photographing in Buddhist monasteries. The British Embassy's ability to help in the region is limited.
Use the railway as a route, not a shortcutA Chinese consulate page gives the Qinghai-Tibet Railway as 1,956 km from Xining to Lhasa, peaking at 5,072 meters. Permit rules still apply on arrival, so book the tour first.Xining and Qinghai

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TibetPut the places you like in Tibet on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entry: Permit via a specialist agent plus an organized tour, per the UK government
Getting there: By air to Lhasa or the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Xining
Altitude: Potala Palace stands at 3,700 meters (UNESCO)
Best base: Lhasa, then routes arranged by your agent
Time needed: 7 to 10 days with acclimatization

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good

JanuaryClear2 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low-8°Cold, clear
FebruaryClear3 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low-5°Cold, dry
MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low-3°Cool, windy
AprilRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low1°Clear, mild
MayRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh16°Low5°Warm, clear
JuneRain18 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh21°Low10°Warm, rain
JulyRain23 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh20°Low10°Rainy season
AugustRain21 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh20°Low10°Rainy season
SeptemberRain18 rainy days1 snowy day2 days with stormsHigh19°Low8°Clear, mild
OctoberClear7 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh15°Low4°Clear, cool
NovemberClear2 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low-2°Cold, dry
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh7°Low-5°Cold, dry

Average daily high and low in Lhasa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Tibet

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: -4°
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Lhasa

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today8°-1°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed8°-1°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu9°-1°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri7°-1°2%Friday: Clear. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat5°-4°12%Saturday: Snow. High 5°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sun3°-5°9%Sunday: Snow. High 3°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 9%.
Mon0°-9°12%Monday: Snow. High 0°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 12%.

Updated 12:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Tibet

Tibet tours with permitsAgent-arranged permit and tourCompare tours

Hotels in LhasaA slow first night at altitudeCheck availability

eSIM for TibetCoverage varies; test before you goRead the guide

Insurance for TibetAltitude and medical evacuationRead the guide

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Rules for Tibet, checked

A permit for Tibet must come through a specialist travel agent in China, and you must travel on an organized tour.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Ask before photographing in Buddhist monasteries, and do not film public security forces or altercations.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Tibet

Lhasa

Potala Palace, Jokhang and the capital

Read the guide Chengdu

A Sichuan gateway city

Read the guide Qinghai

Xining, the lake and the railway start

Read the guide Shangri-la

Tibetan culture in northwest Yunnan

Read the guide All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Travel insurance

Altitude and evacuation cover

Read the guide

Tibet FAQ

Do I need a permit to visit Tibet?

Yes. The UK government says you must get a permit for Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region through a specialist travel agent in China, and travel on an organised tour. Your agent arranges it; you cannot apply alone.

Can I travel to Tibet independently?

Not as a foreign visitor, according to the UK government: an organised tour is required with the permit. Check the current rules with the agent, since authorities sometimes stop issuing permits without notice.

How high is Lhasa and how do I handle altitude?

UNESCO places the Potala Palace at 3,700 meters. Take the first days slowly, drink water and avoid alcohol; the Lhasa guide has the TravelHealthPro advice on sleeping altitude and rest days.

Can I take the train to Tibet?

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway runs 1,956 km from Xining to Lhasa, per a Chinese consulate page. Permit and tour rules still apply, so arrange the permit through an agent before you book the train.

When is the best time to visit Tibet?

April, May, September and October for clearer, milder days. July and August bring rain, and winter is cold and dry. Permit rules and access can change by season, so confirm with your agent.