August is the last month of summer in Tibet. The weather is still good for travel: warm in the daytime and only cool at night. It is the busiest month of the year.
The Shoton Festival usually falls in August. The dawn unveiling of the giant thangka at Drepung Monastery and the Tibetan opera in the Norbulingka are unforgettable.
Ganden Thangka Festival
Depending on the Tibetan calendar, it may fall in August. A giant thangka is shown on the hillside at Ganden Monastery.
Nagchu Horse Racing Festival
Held on the grasslands of Nagchu in northern Tibet, starting around 1 August. Nomads come from all over the region for horse racing, wrestling and archery, dressed in their finest clothes.
What to Visit in August
Shigatse & Friendship Highway
The road from Lhasa through Gyantse and Shigatse to Everest and the Nepal border is open in August, and the valleys are green.
Southern Attractions
Yamdrok Lake, the Karola Glacier, Gyantse Dzong and Tashilhunpo Monastery are all easy to visit in August.
Lhasa Summer Festival Circuit
Lhasa’s summer festivals are the highlight of August. Book Potala Palace tickets well ahead, as August is the busiest month of the year.
What to Wear in August
Light summer clothes, with a medium jacket for the evenings and a light waterproof for showers. At higher places (Everest at 5,200 m, Namtso at 4,718 m) it gets much colder, so always bring a down jacket.
High-season planning: August is the busiest month for Tibet travel. Book your tour, hotels and Potala Palace visit at least two or three months ahead. Group tours at festival time fill up very fast.
