Things to Do in Lhasa in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Lhasa
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Stunning winter clarity - December air is exceptionally clear at 3,650 m (11,975 ft), giving you those impossibly blue skies and razor-sharp mountain views that photographers dream about. The Potala Palace against pristine winter sky is genuinely spectacular.
- Minimal tourist crowds compared to peak season (April-October). You'll actually have space to breathe at major monasteries, and local pilgrims outnumber foreign tourists, which creates a more authentic spiritual atmosphere.
- Strong winter sun despite cold temperatures - that UV index of 8 at this altitude means you get warming sun during midday hours (11am-3pm) when temperatures climb to around 7-10°C (45-50°F), making outdoor exploration surprisingly comfortable.
- Winter festival season - Tibetan communities celebrate Ganden Ngamchoe (Tsongkhapa Memorial) in early December with butter lamp offerings at monasteries, and you'll see preparations beginning for Losar (Tibetan New Year) in late winter.
Considerations
- Serious altitude challenges intensify in winter cold - the combination of 3,650 m (11,975 ft) elevation and temperatures dropping to -7°C (20°F) at night means your body works harder to acclimatize. Plan 3-4 days minimum for adjustment, and expect headaches and breathlessness to feel worse in the cold.
- Limited daylight hours and brutal morning/evening cold - sunrise around 8:30am, sunset by 7pm. Temperatures before 10am and after 5pm regularly hit -5°C (23°F) or lower, making early morning temple visits genuinely uncomfortable despite the spiritual atmosphere.
- Permit and access restrictions remain unpredictable - Tibet Autonomous Region requires organized tours with permits arranged months ahead. December 2026 policies are impossible to predict with certainty, and sudden closures for political reasons happen. You cannot show up independently.
Best Activities in December
Potala Palace morning visits
December morning light on the Potala is extraordinary, and you'll actually get ticket slots without the summer scrum. The palace limits daily visitors, but December allocations are easier to secure. Visit between 10:30am-12:30pm when winter sun warms the courtyards to 7-9°C (45-48°F) and makes the 300+ steps manageable. The altitude is real though - take those stairs slowly. Winter crowds are mostly domestic pilgrims, which changes the energy completely from the summer tourist rush.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor circuit pilgrimages
The spiritual heart of Lhasa becomes intensely atmospheric in December when local pilgrims dominate. You'll see full-body prostrations on the Barkhor circuit in freezing pre-dawn cold - genuinely moving to witness. Visit midday (11am-2pm) when temperatures reach 8-10°C (46-50°F) and the sun warms the stone plaza. The yak butter lamp smoke mixing with cold air creates this particular winter quality of light. Jokhang interior stays relatively warm from body heat and lamps. The Barkhor market surrounding the temple has winter goods - heavy wool chubas, sheepskin items, thermos flasks - that locals actually use.
Sera Monastery monk debates
The famous debating courtyard at Sera continues through winter, though on particularly brutal days below -10°C (14°F) debates move partially indoors. December debates (typically 3-5pm) have fewer tourists and the monks are noticeably more relaxed about foreign observers. The hand-clapping, rapid-fire dialectics, and philosophical arguments happen in winter afternoon sun that's actually pleasant around 6-8°C (43-46°F). The monastery complex itself, 5 km (3.1 miles) north of central Lhasa, has stunning views across the valley in December's clear air.
Namtso Lake winter day trips
This is genuinely challenging in December but absolutely spectacular if conditions allow. Namtso sits at 4,718 m (15,479 ft) and the 3-4 hour drive from Lhasa crosses 5,190 m (17,028 ft) Largen La pass. In December, expect possible snow closures and temperatures at the lake around -15°C (-5°F). That said, the frozen lake edges, absence of tourists, and that impossible turquoise-blue water against snow-covered peaks create scenes you won't forget. This is advanced altitude exposure - only attempt if you've acclimatized well in Lhasa for 3+ days and have no altitude symptoms.
Traditional Tibetan medicine and hot stone bath experiences
December cold makes traditional Tibetan hot stone baths (Lum) genuinely appealing after days of altitude and frozen temple courtyards. These medicinal baths use river stones heated in juniper fires, then placed in wooden tubs with local herbs. The experience combines warming therapy with altitude recovery benefits. Several bathhouses in Lhasa offer authentic treatments, and December is when locals actually use them most. It's a practical comfort activity that also connects you to genuine Tibetan wellness traditions rather than tourist spa concepts.
Drepung Monastery complex exploration
Once the world's largest monastery, Drepung sprawls up the mountainside 8 km (5 miles) west of Lhasa. December visits mean virtually no crowds in this massive complex of white buildings. The uphill walking between chapels and colleges is genuine work at 3,800 m (12,467 ft) altitude, but winter air clarity makes the views across Lhasa valley spectacular. Visit late morning to early afternoon (11am-3pm) when sun warms the courtyards. The monastery kitchens, assembly halls, and living quarters show monastic life more clearly without summer tour groups blocking every doorway.
December Events & Festivals
Ganden Ngamchoe (Tsongkhapa Memorial)
Celebrated on the 25th day of the 10th lunar month (typically early December), this commemorates Je Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school. Monasteries across Lhasa light thousands of butter lamps at dusk, and the sight of Ganden Monastery or Drepung illuminated with flickering lamps is genuinely moving. Locals make pilgrimages and offerings. It's a working religious observance, not a tourist event, which makes it more meaningful to witness respectfully.