Lhasa Weather in July

Traveling to Lhasa in July, you don’t need to worry that the weather is hot or rainy, even though this month belongs to summer and the rainy season: Due to the high altitude, the temperature of Lhasa in July remains warm during the daytime and cool or a bit cold during the nighttime. As for the rain, it mainly falls at night and for a quite short period. 

Lhasa enters its high season this month and visitors come in greater numbers. As a result, it is also a relatively expensive time to travel there. 

 See more about Tibet Weather in July.

In July, even at the height of summer, the temperature in Lhasa remains warm but not hot, making it one of China’s premier summer retreats. During the daytime, the temperature typically ranges from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius (68-82 degrees Fahrenheit). While the sunshine may make it feel slightly warmer, it rarely becomes very hot. Daily lows generally hover around 12 to 15°C (54-59°F). It is noticeably cooler in the early morning and evening, but not cold.

In the surrounding high-altitude areas, such as the Yamdrok Lake and Namtso Lake, the weather is a bit colder than in the city. Throughout the day, the temperature is from about 10 to 20°C (50-68°F). Moreover, the apparent temperature is even lower due to the frequent winds.
 

July falls within Lhasa’s rainy season and sees relatively high rainfall, averaging about 117 mm. Rain shows up frequently, and rainy days average 19 this month. However, this doesn’t mean that July is not suitable for visiting Lhasa, since the rain this month has the following features: It tends to fall mainly at night, usually in the form of brief showers or thunderstorms.

This month, the humidity rises to 62%, one of the highest throughout the year. Thanks to that, you will not feel as uncomfortably dry as in many other months. After the rain, the air will be quite fresh and cozy.
 

The daytime is relatively long, lasting for about 14 hours at the beginning of the month and shortening to around 13.5 hours by the end. Sunrise and sunset times are approximately 6:59-7:15 and 20:49-21:00, respectively. Although sunset is late, it is still recommended that you get up and start your itinerary early each day, as attractions generally close to visitors early. For example, the Potala Palace stops admitting visitors at 15:40, while the Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka stop admitting visitors both at 17:30.

During these approximately 14 hours of daylight, the duration of sunlight is about 7 hours on average. In Lhasa, a high-altitude region, UV radiation is very strong, and the UV index frequently reaches 11+ this month. Even on cloudy or overcast days, the clouds still cannot block the intense UV rays. It’s no exaggeration to say that you are surely at a risk of sunburn if you do not take sun protection measures even on overcast days.
 

 Clothing: If you plan to explore only downtown Lhasa, you can wear a short-sleeved T-shirt, lightweight pants, and a sun-protective jacket, or a long dress plus a blouse during the daytime. In the evening, when temperatures drop, you need to dress warmer. For example, you can wear sweatpants, a short-sleeved shirt, and a windbreaker or the outer shell of a 3-in-1 jacket.

If your itinerary includes higher-altitude areas, such as Yamdrok Lake, Namtso Lake, Mount Everest, or Ngari, you are recommended to pack additional warm clothing. Specifically, be sure to bring a 3-in-1 jacket with a fleece or down liner, or even a down jacket. For pants, bring windproof pants and long johns just in case.

 Shoes: Waterproof, slip-resistant, and comfortable sneakers or hiking boots are recommended.

 Others: Considering that the climate of Lhasa is mostly sunny with strong sunshine, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a face mask are recommended to bring. Even though the humidity is relatively higher compared with other months, moisturizer and lip balm are still necessary to keep you more comfortable. Besides, remember to take an umbrella with you.
 Yes, and July is quite a suitable time to visit Lhasa for the following reasons:

1. Lhasa boasts cozy and warm temperature, with the daily highest of about 28°C (82°F). 
2. Daytime hours are usually sunny, with blue and clear skies.
3. The mild and cozy temperature and humidity also make it easier for you to acclimatize quickly upon arrival and significantly lower the risk of altitude sickness.
4. The natural scenery in Lhasa at this time is incredibly lush: the grasslands are in deep green, wildflowers carpet the ground, and the lakes are vividly blue, creating a visual feast of rich colors.

However, there is also a significant drawback: large crowds. July, the time of the summer holiday in China, sees many tourists in Lhasa. Must-see attractions like Potala Palace and Barkhor Street will be teeming with people. Accordingly, your travel cost will also be relatively high. 
 With such long daylight hours this month, you will likely have some free time after visiting popular attractions like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Norbulingka. Here are some things worth experiencing in July:

1. In July, the evenings are no longer cold, so you can head to the night market on Yutuo Road to experience the nightlife.
2. Around 20:30, you can watch the fountain show at Potala Palace Square.
3. July is the best time to see the rapeseed flowers in full bloom along the shores of Yamdrok Lake.
4. Many Tibetan courtyards around Barkhor Street are filled with hydrangeas, morning glories, and osmanthus flowers, some of which have been converted into sweet-tea houses. Sitting inside and enjoying a cup of tea is a very relaxing experience, especially during the noon hours with intense sunshine.
 1. Since Lhasa tends to be quite crowded this month, tickets for popular attractions can be hard to book, so the earlier you plan your trip, the better.
2. It is always necessary to take precautions against altitude sickness: You will likely visit the night market in the evening, and remember not to eat too much; even though the sky turns dark late, try not to stay up too late; even if the temperature is comfortable, make sure to stay warm while showering and afterward to prevent catching a cold.
 

Jul	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
	High	Low
1	26.1°C / 79°F	12°C / 53.6°F	06:59 / 21:00	60
2	26°C / 78.8°F	16.3°C / 61.3°F	06:59 / 21:00	39
3	25.9°C / 78.6°F	14.2°C / 57.6°F	07:00 / 21:00	46
4	25.5°C / 77.9°F	15.6°C / 60°F	07:00 / 21:00	46
5	23.9°C / 75°F	12.2°C / 54°F	07:00 / 21:00	53
6	21.1°C / 70°F	10.1°C / 50.2°F	07:01 / 21:00	76
7	21.4°C / 70.5°F	8.8°C / 47.8°F	07:01 / 20:59	72
8	23.4°C / 74.1°F	12.7°C / 54.9°F	07:02 / 20:59	53
9	22.1°C / 71.8°F	9.5°C / 49.1°F	07:02 / 20:59	68
10	24.4°C / 75.9°F	12.3°C / 54.1°F	07:03 / 20:59	70
11	24.5°C / 76.1°F	12.7°C / 54.9°F	07:03 / 20:59	58
12	23°C / 73.4°F	10.6°C / 51.1°F	07:04 / 20:58	59
13	19.3°C / 66.7°F	12.4°C / 54.3°F	07:04 / 20:58	65
14	20.1°C / 68.2°F	11.1°C / 52°F	07:05 / 20:58	67
15	21.3°C / 70.3°F	9.5°C / 49.1°F	07:05 / 20:57	63
16	21.1°C / 70°F	12.4°C / 54.3°F	07:06 / 20:57	64
17	21.2°C / 70.2°F	10°C / 50°F	07:06 / 20:57	78
18	21.8°C / 71.2°F	9.5°C / 49.1°F	07:07 / 20:56	70
19	22.5°C / 72.5°F	10.9°C / 51.6°F	07:08 / 20:56	66
20	19.8°C / 67.6°F	11.1°C / 52°F	07:08 / 20:55	69
21	23.8°C / 74.8°F	11.7°C / 53.1°F	07:09 / 20:55	59
22	22°C / 71.6°F	14.1°C / 57.4°F	07:09 / 20:54	56
23	20.9°C / 69.6°F	11.1°C / 52°F	07:10 / 20:54	67
24	23.5°C / 74.3°F	11°C / 51.8°F	07:10 / 20:53	67
25	25.5°C / 77.9°F	11.6°C / 52.9°F	07:11 / 20:53	54
26	24.6°C / 76.3°F	11.1°C / 52°F	07:12 / 20:52	60
27	24.6°C / 76.3°F	11.8°C / 53.2°F	07:12 / 20:52	62
28	22.4°C / 72.3°F	11.5°C / 52.7°F	07:13 / 20:51	67
29	22.6°C / 72.7°F	10°C / 50°F	07:13 / 20:50	74
30	22.1°C / 71.8°F	12°C / 53.6°F	07:14 / 20:50	64
31	21.5°C / 70.7°F	12.2°C / 54°F	07:15 / 20:49	66