Things to Do in Lhasa in March

March Weather in Lhasa

16°C (61°F) High Temp

-2°C (28°F) Low Temp

8mm (0.3 inches) Rainfall

25% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect visibility for Potala Palace photography - crystal clear air before summer haze arrives, with morning temperatures around 8°C (46°F) ideal for outdoor temple visits
Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations in early March create authentic cultural experiences unavailable other times - monastery ceremonies, traditional foods, and local festivities
Shoulder season pricing - accommodations 40-60% cheaper than peak summer months, with guesthouses averaging ¥200-400 ($28-56) vs ¥600+ in July
Comfortable daytime temperatures 12-16°C (54-61°F) perfect for walking the Barkhor circuit and exploring without summer's intense heat or winter's bitter cold

Considerations

Extreme temperature swings - can drop to -8°C (18°F) at night requiring serious cold weather gear despite pleasant days
Altitude sickness risk heightened by dry conditions - humidity drops to 15% some days, making acclimatization more challenging for first-time visitors
Unpredictable dust storms from Gobi Desert can shut down flights and reduce visibility to 100m (328 ft) for 1-2 days

Best Activities in March

Potala Palace Dawn Photography Tours

March offers the year's best visibility for iconic shots, with crisp morning air at -2°C (28°F) creating perfect contrast lighting. Tourist crowds 50% smaller than summer, allowing better positioning. The golden hour light hits the palace walls perfectly between 7:30-8:30am when temperatures are still comfortable for extended outdoor shooting.

Booking Tip: Reserve palace entry permits 7 days ahead through authorized agencies. Photography tours typically ¥300-500 ($42-70) including permit handling. Best operators provide oxygen canisters and warm beverages. Check current availability in booking section below.

Monastery Festival Experiences

Losar festivities in early March open monastery doors normally closed to tourists. Witness authentic butter sculpture ceremonies, traditional cham dancing, and taste ceremonial foods like khapse cookies. March's dry conditions mean outdoor ceremonies proceed as planned, unlike rainy summer months.

Booking Tip: Cultural experiences range ¥400-800 ($56-112) for full-day monastery visits with local guides. Book 10-14 days ahead as March is prime festival season. Look for guides with religious knowledge credentials. See current monastery tour options below.

High-Altitude Trekking Preparation

March's stable weather patterns and moderate temperatures make it ideal for acclimatization hikes around Sera Monastery and Drepung areas. Trails at 3,800-4,200m (12,467-13,780 ft) are snow-free but not yet dusty from summer traffic. Perfect training for higher elevation adventures.

Booking Tip: Guided acclimatization treks ¥250-450 ($35-63) per day including oxygen monitoring equipment. Local trekking groups offer better altitude expertise than international operators. Reserve 5-7 days ahead during March's busy period.

Traditional Tibetan Medicine Workshops

March coincides with spring medicine preparation season when practitioners harvest specific high-altitude herbs. Workshops teach traditional diagnostic methods and prepare seasonal remedies. Cool, dry March weather is optimal for medicine-making as humidity won't affect ingredient quality.

Booking Tip: Authentic medicine experiences ¥300-600 ($42-84) for half-day workshops. Seek practitioners certified by Tibetan Medical College. Book 14+ days ahead as spaces are limited to 8-10 participants. Current workshop schedules available in booking section.

Yamdrok Lake Day Expeditions

March offers the most dramatic lake views as winter ice melts create stunning color contrasts against snow-capped peaks. Road conditions are excellent with no summer mudslides or winter ice blockages. At 4,441m (14,570 ft), the lake's turquoise waters are most vibrant in March's intense UV light.

Booking Tip: Full-day lake tours ¥500-800 ($70-112) including oxygen supplies and traditional lunch. Choose operators with high-altitude vehicle experience and emergency protocols. Weather windows best mid-March, booking 7-10 days ahead recommended.

Barkhor Circuit Sunrise Walks

Experience the spiritual heart of Lhasa as pilgrims begin daily circumambulation at 6am when temperatures hover around 0°C (32°F). March's clear skies provide stunning backdrops of surrounding peaks while avoiding summer's afternoon heat and tourist crowds. Traditional breakfast vendors emerge at 7:30am.

Booking Tip: Self-guided activity requiring only warm layering and comfortable boots. Optional cultural guides ¥150-250 ($21-35) provide religious context and translate prayers. Early morning tours available through local Buddhist centers - check options below.

March Events & Festivals

Early March

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

The most important Tibetan festival featuring 15 days of celebrations with monastery ceremonies, traditional foods, family gatherings, and cultural performances. Unique opportunity to witness authentic traditions as locals welcome the Wood Snake year with butter lamp offerings and prayer flag ceremonies.

Mid March

Monlam Prayer Festival

Great Prayer Festival following Losar brings thousands of monks to major monasteries for collective prayers and philosophical debates. Witness traditional cham masked dances and butter sculpture displays at Jokhang Temple and major monasteries throughout the city.

Late March

Spring Barley Blessing Ceremony

Rural communities around Lhasa perform traditional blessing rituals for spring planting season. Local families welcome visitors to witness ancient agricultural ceremonies and taste traditional barley beer (chang) prepared specially for the occasion.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Thermal base layers - temperature swings from -8°C to 16°C (18°F to 61°F) require serious layering system with merino wool or synthetic materials

SPF 50+ sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses - UV index hits 10+ at 3,650m (11,975 ft) elevation with intense reflection off white buildings

Insulated water bottles - prevent freezing during early morning temple visits, plus staying hydrated is crucial for altitude acclimatization

Quality down jacket rated to -15°C (5°F) - evening temperatures plummet rapidly after sunset around 7:30pm

Moisture-wicking socks and sock liners - prevent blisters during long walking days on varied terrain from smooth temple floors to rough mountain paths

Lip balm with SPF and heavy moisturizer - 25% humidity will crack exposed skin within hours, especially combined with high altitude

Portable oxygen canister for emergencies - available locally for ¥50-80 ($7-11) but bring from lower elevation if prone to altitude issues

Dust mask or bandana - spring dust storms can reduce visibility to 100m (328 ft) and make breathing uncomfortable

Warm hat covering ears - heat loss through head significant at altitude, especially during morning temple visits starting before sunrise

Trekking poles for stability - useful for navigating steep monastery steps and uneven ancient pathways when energy is low from altitude

Insider Knowledge

Arrive by train rather than flying - the gradual elevation gain over 48 hours from Chengdu or Beijing significantly reduces altitude sickness compared to sudden arrival at 3,650m (11,975 ft)

Book accommodations with heating systems that work - many guesthouses advertise heating but provide inadequate warmth for March's freezing nights, locals recommend testing heating upon arrival

Shop for traditional items during Losar week when families sell antiques and ceremonial objects normally kept private - genuine Tibetan carpets and jewelry appear at 30-40% below regular prices

Visit monasteries between 3-5pm when afternoon light illuminates interior murals and monks gather for evening prayers - tourists focus on mornings but late afternoon offers better photographic opportunities and spiritual atmosphere

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating nighttime cold - tourists pack for 16°C (61°F) daytime temps but suffer in -8°C (18°F) nights, leading to poor sleep and worse altitude adjustment

Planning too many activities in first three days - altitude affects everyone differently, and March's dry air makes acclimatization slower, yet visitors try to maintain sea-level schedules

Ignoring dust storm warnings - visitors venture out during spring dust storms thinking they can manage, but visibility drops dangerously low and breathing becomes difficult even for healthy adults