After November, December gets colder and drier: it is now firmly winter. But it is not the grim season many people imagine. Clear skies, no rain and beautiful winter light make December rewarding.
Christmas Day 2026 falls on 25 December. For temperatures in Lhasa and at Everest, what stays open in winter, and our Christmas and New Year departures, see Christmas & New Year in Tibet 2026–27.
Climate in Lhasa — December
Average high (day)
about 9°C (48°F)
Average low (night)
about −8°C (18°F)
Sunshine
about 8 hours a day
Rain or snow
almost none
What to Visit in December
Lhasa
All the main sights are open. The Potala Palace glows in the winter sun, and the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street are full of Tibetan pilgrims.
Tsetang / Shannan
About two to three hours from Lhasa. Samye Monastery and Yumbulagang Palace are open in winter.
Shigatse
Tashilhunpo and Sakya monasteries are open. Many hotels give winter discounts, so December is good value.
4 Reasons to Visit Tibet in December
Far Fewer Tourists
By December the crowds have gone. The monasteries and streets feel Tibetan rather than touristy.
Clear Skies & Views
December is dry and sunny, with about eight hours of sun a day. The clear winter air shows the snow mountains in every direction.
Tibetan Pilgrims
In winter, pilgrims from all over the plateau come to Lhasa, which is one of the most memorable things you can see in Tibet.
Cheaper Prices
Hotels in Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang are cheaper in December, and tours cost less too.
What to Wear in December
A warm down coat is essential outdoors, with thermal underwear and a fleece. Bring warm gloves, a scarf and a hat. Many hotels and restaurants have little heating, so keep your coat with you. Bring good sunglasses: the winter sun is still dazzling.
Winter travel notes: (1) There are fewer group departures in winter, and many winter trips are private tours. (2) Mount Kailash and Namtso are usually not possible in winter. (3) The tent camp at Everest is closed. Visitors sleep at the Rongbuk guesthouse, at the one star-rated hotel near Everest — it has oxygen supply and heating in the rooms, but is more expensive — or further back in Shegar or Tingri. (4) Tibet is usually closed to foreign visitors for some weeks around February and March. If you plan to stay into the new year, check the dates with us.
