Tibet Travel Weather and Climate in March
Tibet Travel Weather and Climate in March
Average Minimum Temperature (℃): -2
Average Maximum Temperature (℃): 12
Tibet Average Temperature (℃): 5
Average Precipitation/Rainfall (mm): 8
Wet Days (>0.1mm): 1
Relative Humidity (%): 72
(Overall Tibet weather in March)
The tail end of winter, Tibet is still cold in March when you travel, despite March being known as “spring” across the globe, as the true spring does not really start until April on the plateau. Only in the east of the region is March considered as springtime, while in the western areas, there is very little change in the temperatures and weather conditions. On average, temperatures across the region range from -2 degrees to as high as 12 degrees, and with a slight chance of rain in the lower-lying areas of Tibet.
However, the brighter sun does make the month feel warmer than February and January, the two coldest months in Tibet, and touring can be comfortable and pleasant. The weather is cold but sunny, and the winds are not as strong and harsh as through the winter months.
What to Wear for a March Tibet Travel
Dress in layers with a coat, trousers, and long underwear for the temperature swings and the nightly temperature drop. The UV radiation is intense, so you’ll need a sun hat and sunglasses. Many hotels and restaurants don’t have central heating, and you might need to wear your coat inside. Heavier winter gear and gloves are needed in higher areas.
Useful Travel Tips for your Tibet Travel in March
- There are some medications for altitude sickness available, but you should consult your own doctor before you take them, and it is not recommended.
- Tibet Travel Permit: This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is required for all international travelers heading for Tibet. You need to apply for this permit one month prior to your arrival in Tibet as this permit takes some time to get ready and you need to produce the original copy of this permit at the Airport before you board the flight.
- Oxygen levels are much lower in Tibet, so most people get altitude sickness. Cardiovascular conditions are exacerbated, so for the best experience, seek health advice before going and acclimate before exertion or going higher than Lhasa.
Things to see and do at Tibet in March
- A popular time of year because of the Peach Blossom Festival, Nyingchi is a delightful place to visit in March, when the spring has already arrived in the area, while the rest of Tibet is still in the last grips of winter. Blue skies dominate through March, with only a little rain in the late evenings occasionally. Skies are mostly clear, and the warmer weather makes it an ideal start to any Tibet tour.
- March at Yamdrok Lake sees the ice melting and the turquoise waters showing through again for the first time since December. As the ice melts and the lake becomes habitable once again, the islands once again become filled with birds, which make it a great time for bird watching on the lake’s five islands.
- The Monlam Festival and the Butter Lamp Festival are the middle and ending festival days of the two week long Tibetan New Year worship. The fourth through eleventh days of their year are the Monlam Festival, and the 15th day of their calendar year is the Butter Lamp Festival on the night of the full moon that ends the religious holidays. These latter holidays sometimes fall in March.
- There are some great festivals to see in Tibet during March, and while most are religious in origin, there is one amazing festival time that is wholly regional. The Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival usually begins around the middle of March, and lasts for around a month, when the stunning pink and violet peach blossoms cover much of the area, especially along the banks of the Niyang River and along the road to Sichuan.
