Lhasa Weather in May

Weather of Lhasa in May is pleasant during the daytime with brilliant sunshine and breeze, neither cold nor hot. There is only a little invigorating rain. At night, it can be slightly cold.

Vibrant Lhasa in May

As the climate turns warmer, the trees are thriving, flowers are blossoming, and the lakes are thawing, making May a relatively good time to visit Lhasa. But avoid early May, the period of the crowded May Day Holiday, if possible.

 See more about Tibet Weather in May.
 

By May, the daytime in Lhasa is already quite warm and ideal for sightseeing, with temperature generally ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59-77 degrees Fahrenheit). When the sun is shining, you will feel even warmer. However, this doesn’t mean that packing only light spring clothing will suffice. It’s no exaggeration to say that within a span of two or three days, you may experience moments as warm as spring or even summer, as well as moments as cold as winter:

Warm Daytime of May

1. There is a significant temperature difference between day and night, and no matter how warm the daytime is, it gets relatively cold in the evenings. Generally, the daily low temperature in Lhasa in May is around 5-10°C (41-50°F). The temperature drops rapidly as soon as the sun sets.
2. Sudden temperature drops occur frequently. On May 15, 2025, the daily high reached 21°C (70°F), but during the next two days, the temperature dropped successively, to 15°C (59°F) and then to 13°C (55°F). Generally speaking, almost every May sees several days when the daily high is only around 8-14°C (46-57°F).  

Generally speaking, May is the transition period of Lhasa from the dry season to the rainy season. On average, Lhasa experiences about 10 rainy days this month, with the average monthly rainfall of 28 mm. Besides, the latter half of the month is usually a bit rainier than the first half.

Don’t worry, as the rain won’t influence your trips a lot. On the one hand, light rain and showers dominate. On the other hand, the rain usually falls during the nighttime.

As for the humidity, it is about 44% on average. The air is relatively dry and will make you feel a bit uncomfortable. 

May with Strong Sunshine

 

Warm daytime is about 13.2-14 hours long in Lhasa in May, guaranteeing ample visiting time for you. From the beginning of the month, some attractions adopt longer opening hours. For instance, the Potala Palace opens from 09:00 to 15:40 this month, while from 9:30 to 15:20 from November to April.

Though there are about 10 rainy days on average, the sunshine hours can reach about 8 per day on average, since the rain is usually short. However, please note that the UV index this month can reach as high as 11+. As long as the sun appears, you need to take precautions against sun exposure, especially between 14:00 and 16:00. Otherwise, your skin may start to sting if you stay out long.
 

 Upper Body: long-sleeved T-shirts, knitwear, thin jackets, 3-in-1 jackets, down jackets.
In May, the temperature in Lhasa fluctuates significantly, so you may need to put on and take off layers frequently throughout the day. Specifically, when you head out in the morning, you need to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt as your base layer, a light jacket or a knitwear as your mid-layer, and an outer shell of the 3-in-1 jacket as your outer layer. As the sun rises and temperatures gradually climb, you can remove the outer shell. On some days, especially those toward the end of the month, by midday when the temperature peaks, you might even be able to remove the middle layer, and a long-sleeve T-shirt alone will suffice. Come to evening, however, you’ll need to put all three layers back on to stay warm. 

Additionally, as mentioned above, there may be a few days in May each year when temperatures are relatively low. On those days, you may need to wear a knitwear plus a 3-in-1 jacket both day and night when going out. As a reminder, down jackets are necessary for colder areas with higher altitudes, like Yamdrok Lake.

 Lower Body: If the weather forecast predicts relatively high daytime temperatures, a single pair of pants will suffice - thicker options like jeans or sweatpants are suitable. If you plan to go out in the evening, it’s best to add long johns, which are also needed during the daytime when temperature drops.

 Shoes: Thick sneakers or hiking boots are the best choice for Lhasa in May.

 Other:
1. As rainfall increases in May, you are recommended to bring an umbrella just in case.
2. Be sure to bring sunglasses and a hat for sun protection; in addition, you should pack SPF 50+ sunscreen.
3. Although rainfall increases, the air remains dry, so moisturizing face cream, hand cream, body lotion, lip balm, and nasal moisturizing ointment are essential. Additionally, you are recommended to pack a portable water bottle, as you need to stay hydrated throughout your trip to stay comfortable.
 Lhasa’s classic attractions are particularly picturesque in May. The Potala Palace looks especially photogenic against the clear blue sky and soft light; Sera Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street are steeped in a rich religious atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll in warm May; Norbulingka is lush and verdant; Lhalu Wetland is teeming with lush vegetation and flocks of waterbirds; and the waters of Lake Namtso and Yamdrok Lake are a deep and azure blue…

Norbulingka in May

Beautiful Norbulingka in Spring

If time allows and you’re interested in exploring the surrounding areas, consider visiting the Nyingchi region in late May to see the beautiful rhododendrons in full bloom. At that time, the sea of pink and purple flowers covering the mountains and valleys creates a stunning contrast with the snow-capped peaks in the distance and the azure lakes nearby - a truly breathtaking sight.
 This is the most unmissable cultural experience in Lhasa in May. Taking place on May 31, 2026, April 15 of the Tibetan calendar, it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Shakyamuni Buddha. During the festival, a grand religious ceremony is held at the Jokhang Temple, and thousands of devotees will devoutly circumambulate around Barkhor Street and Lingkor.
 In mid-May, grand celebrations are held to witness the thawing of the sacred lake’s winter ice and the revival of its waters. On the day of the festival, you will see a solemn ceremony, as well as performances of Tibetan songs and dances and traditional musical instruments.
 May 1-5 marks China’s May Day holiday. During this time, Lhasa experiences a surge in tourists, and popular attractions such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple may have long lines. If possible, it is best to avoid visiting Lhasa during the first few days of the month. If this is unavoidable, be sure to make your travel arrangements as early as possible.

Crowded May Day Holiday

After the holiday, visitor numbers drop, and Lhasa enters its shoulder season, when it will not be very crowded.
 

May	Temperature		Sunrise / Sunset	Humi- dity (%)
	High	Low
1	16.5°C / 61.7°F	5.3°C / 41.5°F	07:14 / 20:32	29
2	16.5°C / 61.7°F	5.1°C / 41.2°F	07:13 / 20:33	25
3	17.5°C / 63.5°F	5.7°C / 42.3°F	07:12 / 20:33	32
4	13.9°C / 57°F	5.3°C / 41.5°F	07:11 / 20:34	46
5	15.7°C / 60.3°F	3.4°C / 38.1°F	07:10 / 20:35	52
6	17°C / 62.6°F	6.5°C / 43.7°F	07:09 / 20:35	23
7	16.7°C / 62.1°F	2.6°C / 36.7°F	07:09 / 20:36	28
8	19.5°C / 67.1°F	4°C / 39.2°F	07:08 / 20:36	33
9	21.6°C / 70.9°F	6.2°C / 43.2°F	07:07 / 20:37	25
10	19.5°C / 67.1°F	5.9°C / 42.6°F	07:06 / 20:38	42
11	18.6°C / 65.5°F	2°C / 35.6°F	07:06 / 20:38	62
12	20.8°C / 69.4°F	8.6°C / 47.5°F	07:05 / 20:39	37
13	23.6°C / 74.5°F	8.3°C / 46.9°F	07:04 / 20:40	29
14	22.3°C / 72.1°F	9.1°C / 48.4°F	07:04 / 20:40	27
15	23°C / 73.4°F	9.2°C / 48.6°F	07:03 / 20:41	27
16	21.2°C / 70.2°F	10.3°C / 50.5°F	07:02 / 20:42	20
17	19°C / 66.2°F	8.2°C / 46.8°F	07:02 / 20:42	34
18	22.8°C / 73°F	7.1°C / 44.8°F	07:01 / 20:43	28
19	25.8°C / 78.4°F	12.1°C / 53.8°F	07:01 / 20;43	21
20	24.8°C / 76.6°F	12.1°C / 53.8°F	07:00 / 20:44	25
21	25.1°C / 77.2°F	11.6°C / 52.9°F	07:00 / 20:45	23
22	27.1°C / 80.8°F	12.6°C / 54.7°F	06:59 / 20:45	20
23	27.7°C / 81.9°F	12.2°C / 54°F	06:59 / 20:46	20
24	26.8°C / 80.2°F	13.8°C / 56.8°F	06:58 / 20:47	21
25	26.6°C / 79.9°F	10.8°C / 51.4°F	06:58 / 20:47	15
26	25.5°C / 77.9°F	13.8°C / 56.8°F	06:57 / 20:48	30
27	27°C / 80.6°F	12.2°C / 54°F	06:57 / 20:48	34
28	27.2°C / 81°F	11.4°C / 52.5°F	06:57 / 20:49	30
29	26.2°C / 79.2°F	14.9°C / 58.8°F	06:56 / 20:49	27
30	28.4°C / 83.1°F	13.5°C / 56.3°F	06:56 / 20:50	28
31	25.6°C / 78.1°F	9.7°C / 49.5°F	06:56 / 20:51	36