Things to Do in Lhasa in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Lhasa
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season timing - Tibetan New Year crowds have cleared out, summer monsoon hasn't started yet, and you'll actually have space to photograph Potala Palace without tour groups blocking every angle
- Spring wildflowers peak in late May around Namtso Lake and along the Yarlung Valley - the high-altitude meadows turn into carpets of purple and yellow that locals call 'the carpet season'
- Comfortable daytime temperatures around 15-20°C (59-68°F) make this the best month for higher-altitude day trips without the brutal cold of winter or the afternoon thunderstorms of June through August
- Saga Dawa Festival preparations begin in late May (exact date varies with lunar calendar) - you'll see locals preparing prayer flags, monks rehearsing rituals, and markets stocking ceremonial items, giving you an authentic glimpse into religious life without the overwhelming crowds of the actual festival day
Considerations
- Altitude sickness doesn't care what month you visit, but May's increasing UV index (reaching 8) compounds the headaches and dehydration - you'll need to be extra vigilant about sun protection while your body adjusts to 3,650 m (11,975 ft) elevation
- Weather becomes genuinely unpredictable by late May as the transition season kicks in - mornings might be sunny and 18°C (64°F), then by 3pm you're dealing with wind, clouds, and temperatures dropping to 10°C (50°F), which makes packing and planning day trips frustrating
- Permit processing times can stretch longer in May as Chinese domestic tourism picks up ahead of summer holidays - what normally takes 15-20 days might take 25-30 days, so you need to plan further ahead than you would for March or April
Best Activities in May
Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple Circuit Walking Tours
May mornings offer the clearest light for photography and comfortable temperatures for the steep climbs - Potala has 200+ steps and you'll feel every one at this altitude. The kora (pilgrimage circuit) around Jokhang is most active 6-9am when locals do their morning circumambulations, and in May you can actually walk it without freezing. Late afternoon light around 5-6pm creates that golden glow on the white and red walls that makes for stunning photos. Crowds are manageable compared to summer peak season.
Namtso Lake Day Trips
The 4,718 m (15,479 ft) altitude lake is finally accessible in May after winter road closures end in late April. This is genuinely the best month to visit before summer crowds arrive - the turquoise water against snow-capped Nyenchen Tanglha mountains is spectacular, and late May brings wildflowers to the surrounding grasslands. The drive takes 4-5 hours each way, but May weather is stable enough that road conditions are reliable. Temperatures at the lake run 5-10°C (9-18°F) colder than Lhasa, so you'll need layers.
Sera Monastery Monk Debate Sessions
The famous debating courtyard comes alive every afternoon except Sunday at 3pm, and May weather is perfect for sitting in the outdoor courtyard without winter's brutal cold or summer's afternoon rain risk. The debates run 2-3 hours and watching monks engage in this 600-year-old tradition of philosophical argument - complete with dramatic hand clapping and aggressive posturing - is genuinely fascinating. May means fewer tour buses blocking the courtyard, so you can actually position yourself near the action.
Yarlung Valley Cultural Heritage Routes
May is ideal for the 3-4 hour drive southeast to Tibet's historical heartland - roads are clear, weather is stable, and the valley's apricot blossoms are finishing while barley fields turn bright green. Yumbulagang Palace, Trandruk Temple, and Samye Monastery form a circuit that gives you genuine historical context for Tibetan Buddhism's origins. The valley sits slightly lower than Lhasa at 3,500 m (11,483 ft), making it easier on your lungs for a multi-day trip.
Barkhor Street Market and Old Town Walking Circuits
The ancient market streets around Jokhang Temple are Lhasa's commercial and spiritual heart, and May weather makes the 2-3 hour walking circuit actually pleasant. You'll find everything from yak butter to prayer wheels to counterfeit North Face jackets. The kora (clockwise pilgrimage circuit) is packed with locals spinning prayer wheels, prostrating, and socializing - join the flow to experience genuine religious devotion. Late afternoon around 4-6pm offers the best people-watching and photography light.
Ganden Monastery Kora Hiking Trails
The 45 km (28 miles) drive east to Ganden takes you to 4,300 m (14,108 ft) elevation, and May is the first month where the kora hiking circuit around the monastery becomes reliably snow-free. The 1.5-2 hour circuit offers stunning valley views and a genuine workout at altitude - you'll understand why locals consider this a spiritual practice. The monastery itself, rebuilt after Cultural Revolution destruction, has fewer tourists than Sera or Drepung, giving you more contemplative space.
May Events & Festivals
Saga Dawa Festival Preparations
While the actual Saga Dawa Festival celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death typically falls in June, late May sees Lhasa transform as preparations intensify. You'll witness locals stringing up thousands of prayer flags on hillsides, monks preparing ceremonial items, and markets stocking special incense and offerings. The Barkhor circuit becomes even more crowded with pilgrims arriving early. This preparation period offers a more authentic, less chaotic glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist practice than the actual festival day when crowds become overwhelming.