Things to Do in Lhasa in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Lhasa
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season means 40-50% fewer tourists than summer months - you'll actually have space to photograph Potala Palace without crowds blocking your shots, and monastery visits feel contemplative rather than chaotic
- April marks the start of peach blossom season in Nyingchi (about 400 km or 250 miles east) - the valleys turn pink against snow-capped peaks, creating landscapes you won't see any other time of year
- Weather is surprisingly stable for Tibet - clear skies about 70% of the time means excellent visibility for mountain views and photography, plus that intense UV light creates the crisp, saturated colors Tibet is famous for
- Accommodation prices are 30-40% lower than peak summer season (June-August), and you can book quality guesthouses just 2-3 weeks ahead instead of the 2-3 months you'd need in July
Considerations
- Altitude hits harder in cooler weather - that 3,650 m (11,975 ft) elevation feels more intense when temperatures drop to 3°C (37°F) at night, and your body works harder to stay warm while already struggling with oxygen levels
- Mornings are genuinely cold at 3-5°C (37-41°F) - you'll need proper layering for early temple visits, and that temperature swing between 9am and 2pm means constantly adjusting what you're wearing
- Some high-altitude sites like Namtso Lake (4,718 m or 15,479 ft) might still have ice and are less accessible - roads can be sketchy, and the experience isn't as rewarding when the lake is partially frozen
Best Activities in April
Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple Circuit
April offers the best balance for Lhasa's major monasteries - fewer tour groups mean you can actually spend time in the chapels without being rushed through, and the morning light at this time of year creates incredible golden-hour photography around 7-8am. The kora (circumambulation path) around Jokhang is active with pilgrims but not overwhelmed with tourists. Temple interiors stay relatively warm from butter lamps, making the cold mornings manageable.
Nyingchi Peach Blossom Valley Excursions
Late March through mid-April is the only window to see southeastern Tibet's peach blossom explosion - entire valleys turn pink against snow-covered peaks, and the contrast is genuinely stunning. This is about 5-6 hours drive from Lhasa (400 km or 250 miles), dropping from 3,650 m to 2,900 m (11,975 ft to 9,514 ft), which actually helps with altitude adjustment. Weather is milder here, and locals celebrate with small festivals in villages like Gala and Suosong.
Barkhor Street Cultural Walks and Local Market Exploration
The circular kora around Jokhang Temple is Lhasa's social and commercial heart, and April's moderate crowds mean you can actually observe pilgrims doing prostrations without feeling like you're in the way. Afternoons (2-4pm) are warmest for wandering the surrounding alleys where locals shop for butter, barley, and religious supplies. The UV index of 8 means harsh but beautiful light for photography - that's what gives Tibetan photos their distinctive clarity.
Drepung and Sera Monastery Debate Sessions
These two massive monastery complexes are less crowded in April, and the famous monk debates at Sera (typically 3-5pm daily except Sundays) are easier to witness without summer's crush of tour buses. April's afternoon temperatures around 15°C (59°F) make the outdoor debate courtyard comfortable. Drepung, once home to 10,000 monks, is best visited in morning when light illuminates the white buildings against blue sky.
Yamdrok Lake Day Trips
One of Tibet's three sacred lakes, Yamdrok sits at 4,441 m (14,570 ft) about 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Lhasa. April offers clear skies for that famous turquoise water against snow peaks, though it's noticeably colder up there - expect 5-10°C (41-50°F) even midday. The drive crosses Kamba La pass at 4,794 m (15,728 ft), so this works best if you've already acclimatized in Lhasa for 2-3 days.
Tibetan Medicine and Culture Museums
April's variable weather makes indoor cultural sites valuable backup plans, and Lhasa's Tibetan Medicine Museum and Tibet Museum offer genuine depth beyond typical tourist sites. The Medicine Museum's thangka collection is extraordinary, and April's lower tourist numbers mean you can actually read displays without crowds. These heated indoor spaces are welcome when morning temperatures are still 3-5°C (37-41°F).
April Events & Festivals
Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival
Not a single-day event but rather a 2-3 week celebration (typically late March through mid-April) across southeastern Tibet's Nyingchi region. Villages host small gatherings with traditional dancing, local food, and photography competitions. The main draw is simply the landscape - valleys filled with blooming peach trees against Himalayan peaks. Gala Village and Suosong are epicenters, attracting Chinese domestic tourists but still manageable in scale.
Saga Dawa Preparations
While Saga Dawa itself falls in May or June (15th day of 4th lunar month), April sees monasteries beginning preparations for Tibet's most important religious festival. You'll notice increased activity at Jokhang and other sites - monks preparing decorations, pilgrims arriving early. It's not a tourist event per se, but observant travelers will notice the building energy, and it's a good time to ask locals about the upcoming celebrations.