Things to Do in Lhasa in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Lhasa
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Intense sunlight at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) altitude makes February feel warmer than the thermometer suggests - you'll actually be comfortable in a T-shirt by midday despite freezing morning temperatures, and the UV index of 8 means that thin-air sunshine cuts through the cold remarkably well
- Losar (Tibetan New Year) typically falls in late February or early March, meaning you might catch the build-up celebrations with butter lamp offerings, monastery preparations, and locals shopping for new clothes at Barkhor - the city has an anticipatory energy that's genuinely special compared to the quieter months
- Drastically fewer tourists than summer months means you can actually circumambulate Jokhang Temple without fighting crowds, get unhurried time with monks at smaller monasteries, and photograph Potala Palace without 50 people in every frame - February sees roughly 40% fewer visitors than July or August
- Accommodation prices drop 30-50% compared to peak season, and you'll have better negotiating power for hiring drivers or guides since demand is lower - a decent guesthouse that costs ¥400 in August might run ¥200-250 in February, which adds up over a week-long stay
Considerations
- The cold is legitimately challenging, especially in unheated spaces - most guesthouses and restaurants have minimal heating, so you'll be wearing layers indoors, and morning temperatures around -4°C (24°F) make early temple visits fairly miserable until the sun gets higher around 9-10am
- Some higher-altitude sites like Namtso Lake are typically inaccessible or inadvisable in February due to snow and ice on mountain passes - the road to Namtso at 4,718 m (15,479 ft) is often closed, and even if technically open, conditions can be dangerous with black ice
- Altitude sickness doesn't care what month you visit, but the dry winter air at 70% humidity (which is actually high for Lhasa in winter) combined with cold can make respiratory symptoms feel worse - you might find yourself more short of breath in the cold morning air than you would in warmer months
Best Activities in February
Potala Palace guided tours
February is genuinely ideal for visiting Potala Palace because the reduced tourist numbers mean you can actually spend time in each chapel without being rushed through by crowds behind you. The palace limits daily visitors to 2,300, and in summer those slots fill up days in advance, but in February you'll often find same-day availability. The morning sun hitting the white and red walls against clear blue winter skies creates the kind of photographs you see in professional travel magazines. The chapels are unheated, so you'll want those layers, but the experience of standing in the Dalai Lama's former quarters without 40 other people shuffling past is worth the cold fingers.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Circuit walking
The spiritual heart of Tibet is actually more accessible in February's thinner crowds. You can watch pilgrims doing full-body prostrations outside Jokhang without navigating through tour groups, and the Barkhor kora (circumambulation circuit) moves at a natural pace rather than the summer shuffle. Locals do their kora walks in the morning after sunrise when it's warmed up a bit, typically between 9am-11am. The butter lamps inside Jokhang create this incredible warmth and atmosphere that feels especially powerful against the cold outside. Worth noting that if Losar falls in late February, the energy here intensifies dramatically with special ceremonies and offerings.
Sera Monastery debate sessions
The famous monk debates happen year-round, but in February you'll get a front-row seat rather than peering over shoulders. Debates typically run 3pm-5pm in the monastery courtyard (weather permitting) or move indoors if it's too cold. The clapping, the rapid-fire questions, the philosophical arguments - it's genuinely fascinating even if you don't understand Tibetan. February afternoons are actually pleasant for sitting outside once the sun has warmed things up, typically reaching 10°C (50°F) by 2-3pm. The monastery itself, about 5 km (3.1 miles) north of central Lhasa, is less crowded in winter, so you can explore the chapels without the summer rush.
Drepung Monastery exploration
This massive monastery complex sprawls up the mountainside about 8 km (5 miles) west of Lhasa, and February's clear skies mean you'll get stunning views back toward the city and Potala Palace from the upper levels. The climb between buildings at 3,800 m (12,467 ft) altitude is genuinely tiring, so take it slow and carry water. What makes February special is the emptiness - you might have entire chapels to yourself, and monks are more likely to chat with visitors when they're not overwhelmed by summer tour groups. The white-washed buildings against blue sky and brown mountains create this stark beauty that's different from the greener summer landscape.
Traditional Tibetan teahouse sessions
February cold makes the teahouse culture especially appealing - ducking into a warm room filled with locals drinking butter tea and sweet tea while playing dice or cards is genuinely one of the best ways to experience daily Lhasan life. The sweet tea (cha ngamo) is addictive and costs about ¥1 per small glass with unlimited refills. Teahouses around Barkhor like Makye Ame and Guangming Teahouse fill up with locals in the afternoon, roughly 2-5pm, when it's warmed up outside but people want to socialize indoors. You'll see everyone from monks to businesspeople to elderly pilgrims, and the atmosphere is relaxed in a way that summer tourist crowds sometimes disrupt.
Norbulingka Palace and gardens
The former summer palace of the Dalai Lamas is obviously less lush in February than summer, but the trade-off is having the complex nearly to yourself. The gardens are brown and dormant, but the palace buildings with their incredible murals and furniture are the real draw anyway. February's crisp air and low humidity make the 2 km (1.2 miles) walk from central Lhasa quite pleasant in the afternoon. The site feels contemplative and peaceful in winter rather than the summer picnic atmosphere when locals pack the gardens. If you're interested in Tibetan art and history without crowds, February is actually ideal despite the dormant landscaping.
February Events & Festivals
Losar (Tibetan New Year) preparations
Losar typically falls in late February or early March based on the lunar calendar - in 2026 it should be around late February. Even if you don't hit the actual New Year days, the two weeks before are fascinating as families clean homes, monasteries prepare special decorations, and Barkhor shops fill with New Year goods like new clothes, ceremonial scarves, and special foods. Markets sell khapse (deep-fried cookies) and other traditional treats. The energy is anticipatory and genuinely special, though be aware that many businesses close for 3-5 days during the actual Losar period.
Monlam Prayer Festival
If Losar falls in late February, the Great Prayer Festival (Monlam) typically follows in early March, but preparations and preliminary ceremonies sometimes begin in the final days of February. Major monasteries host special prayer sessions, and you might catch butter sculpture displays being prepared at Jokhang Temple. This is one of the most important religious events in the Tibetan calendar, though access for tourists can be restricted depending on political climate - check current conditions before planning around it.