Things to Do in Lhasa in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Lhasa
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Losar (Tibetan New Year) typically falls in late February or early March, making this one of the most culturally rich times to visit. You'll see local families in traditional dress, monastery ceremonies with elaborate butter sculptures, and the genuine celebration rather than tourist performances. The energy in Barkhor Street during this period is something you won't experience any other time of year.
- March marks the beginning of shoulder season when permits become slightly easier to obtain and group tour requirements are more flexible. You're past the winter closure concerns but before the May-October rush when tour groups flood popular sites. Accommodation prices drop 20-30% compared to summer peaks, and you'll actually have space to walk around Jokhang Temple without being pushed along.
- The high-altitude sun in March is spectacular for photography - that thin atmosphere creates incredibly sharp light and deep blue skies that make the Potala Palace practically glow. Early morning shots are particularly stunning, and the occasional light snow dusting on surrounding peaks adds dramatic contrast you won't get in summer months.
- Winter barley planting begins in the Yarlung Valley, and you'll see traditional farming methods that have remained unchanged for centuries. The agricultural cycle here is fascinating, and March offers a window into rural Tibetan life that summer tourists completely miss. Plus, the yaks are still in lower pastures, making them easier to photograph without trekking into remote areas.
Considerations
- Altitude sickness hits harder in March because the cold makes your body work overtime just to stay warm, on top of adjusting to 3,650 m (11,975 ft) elevation. You'll need an extra day or two for acclimatization compared to warmer months, and nighttime oxygen levels feel noticeably thinner when temperatures drop below freezing. Budget for potential altitude medication and don't plan strenuous activities for your first 72 hours.
- Unpredictable weather swings are genuinely challenging - you might experience a 20°C (36°F) temperature difference between noon and midnight. I've seen blizzards in early March followed by intense sun the next day. This makes packing difficult and daily planning frustrating, particularly if you're on a tight tour schedule with non-refundable bookings.
- Some monastery sections and remote sites remain partially closed or difficult to access due to lingering winter conditions. Mountain passes like Khamba La can be icy or temporarily closed, limiting day trip options. The roads to Namtso Lake typically don't fully open until late March or early April, so you might miss one of Tibet's most stunning sights if you visit early in the month.
Best Activities in March
Potala Palace Dawn Photography Sessions
March's crystal-clear morning air and low sun angle create the best lighting conditions of the year for photographing this iconic structure. The palace opens at 9am, but the real magic happens between 6:30-8am when golden light hits the white and red walls. Crowds are manageable in March, unlike summer when you're competing with hundreds of tour groups. The cold means you'll need proper layering, but the thin atmosphere at this altitude produces incredibly sharp images with deep color saturation that's impossible to replicate in hazier months.
Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Circuit Immersion
March is particularly special here because Losar celebrations often extend into early March, and you'll witness genuine pilgrims performing kora (circumambulation) rather than just tourist foot traffic. The temple's butter lamp offerings increase dramatically during this period, creating an atmospheric glow in the dimly lit chapels. Morning visits from 7-9am let you observe monks in prayer before tourist groups arrive. The surrounding Barkhor market is less crowded than summer, making it easier to browse traditional crafts, though vendors are just as aggressive about haggling year-round.
Sera Monastery Monk Debate Sessions
The famous afternoon debates happen year-round, but March's smaller tourist numbers mean you can actually get close enough to hear the philosophical arguments and hand-clapping that punctuates their logic exercises. Debates typically run 3-5pm in the monastery courtyard, weather permitting. The March sun is warm enough that debates aren't cancelled for cold, unlike deep winter, but you're not sweltering like you would in July. The 5 km (3.1 miles) distance from central Lhasa makes this an easy half-day trip, and the monastery's white walls photograph beautifully against March's deep blue skies.
Yarlung Valley Cultural Exploration
March is planting season in Tibet's agricultural heartland, located about 180 km (112 miles) southeast of Lhasa. You'll see traditional farming methods with yaks pulling wooden plows, something that's finished by April. The valley contains Yumbulagang Palace and Trandruk Monastery, both significantly less crowded than Lhasa sites. The drive itself is spectacular, crossing Khamba La pass at 4,794 m (15,728 ft) with views over Yamdrok Lake - though early March can mean icy conditions that make this pass temporarily impassable. The valley sits lower at 3,500 m (11,483 ft), making it slightly easier on your lungs than Lhasa.
Traditional Tibetan Medicine and Culture Workshops
Several institutes in Lhasa offer workshops on traditional medicine, thangka painting basics, and butter sculpture techniques - activities that make perfect sense when afternoon weather turns unpredictable in March. The Tibetan Medical and Astrology Institute sometimes offers public sessions, and you'll learn about high-altitude health remedies that are genuinely useful for dealing with your own acclimatization challenges. These indoor cultural activities are ideal backup plans when mountain passes close or when you need a rest day from altitude exertion. March timing means you might catch special Losar-related workshops on traditional crafts.
Ganden Monastery Kora Trek
This 4-5 hour pilgrimage circuit around Ganden Monastery sits at 4,300 m (14,108 ft) and offers stunning views over the Kyi Chu valley. March is challenging for this trek because altitude effects are amplified by cold, but it's also when you'll have the trail largely to yourself except for dedicated pilgrims. The monastery itself is one of the great Gelug sites, rebuilt after Cultural Revolution destruction. Snow patches linger on north-facing slopes in early March, making proper boots essential. The 45 km (28 miles) drive from Lhasa takes about 90 minutes on improving but still rough roads.
March Events & Festivals
Losar (Tibetan New Year)
The most important festival in the Tibetan calendar typically falls in late February or early March, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2026, you'll need to check the exact dates as they shift annually. Celebrations last about two weeks with the most intense activities in the first three days. Expect elaborate butter sculptures at major monasteries, families in traditional chubas visiting temples, and the Barkhor circuit packed with pilgrims. Monasteries perform cham dances with monks in elaborate costumes and masks. This is genuine cultural celebration, not staged tourism, which makes it extraordinary but also means some sites have altered hours or restricted access during ceremonies.
Monlam Prayer Festival
This Great Prayer Festival immediately follows Losar and brings thousands of monks to Lhasa for two weeks of ceremonies, debates, and teachings. Jokhang Temple becomes the center of elaborate rituals including the display of a giant thangka. The festival culminates with butter sculpture competitions where monasteries create intricate, illuminated sculptures displayed overnight. Access to some ceremonies requires special positioning, and your guide will know which events are open to visitors versus reserved for monastics. The spiritual intensity during this period is palpable, but it also means accommodation books up quickly and some tourist activities get disrupted.