Chamdo (Qamdo) in eastern Tibet lies where the cold plateau meets the warmer, wetter monsoon lands to the south. It has long hours of sunshine, strong sunlight and big differences between day and night temperatures.
Chamdo Climate Overview
Month
Average temperature
Notes
January
about −2°C
Coldest month; dry and cold
April
about 8°C
Warming; end of the dry season
July
about 16°C
Warmest month; wettest
October
about 7°C
Dry season begins; crisp and clear
Whole year
about 7.5°C
Mild for Tibet
Climate Characteristics
Long Sunshine Hours
Chamdo gets plenty of sunshine, and the sky is often very clear.
Large Daily Temperature Swings
As everywhere on the plateau, the difference between day and night can be 15°C or more, even in summer.
Distinct Wet & Dry Seasons
The wet season is May to September, and the dry season October to April. The rain turns the valleys green.
Strong Sunlight
The UV is strong all year. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat are essential.
Best Time to Visit Chamdo
The best time to visit Chamdo is May to October. June to August is warm and green, though with some rain. September and October are clear and dry, ideal for photography and walking. Winter is cold but possible if you are prepared for temperatures below zero, though high passes can close after snow.
Getting to Chamdo
Sichuan–Tibet Highway (G318 and G317): the famous overland routes from Chengdu through the Kham region. Spectacular, but they need careful planning, especially in summer when landslides can close some sections.
By air: Bamda Airport serves Chamdo, with flights from Lhasa, Chengdu, Chongqing and other cities. At about 4,330 m it is one of the highest airports in the world.
About Chamdo: Chamdo is the gateway to Kham, an area of eastern Tibet with its own dialects, dress and traditions. Three great rivers, the Jinsha (upper Yangtze), the Lancang (Mekong) and the Nu (Salween), run through deep parallel gorges nearby, one of the most dramatic landscapes in Asia.
