In May, the majority of Tibet becomes pleasantly warm. The average daily temperature reaches 21°C, which is the average lowest temperature in excess of the freezing point. May sees the end of Tibet’s windy season (from November to April).
Although Nagqu and Ngari (the two coldest second-level administrative regions, located in the north and west of Tibet respectively) still encounter coldness during the night before sunrise, when the average lowest temperature could be -2°C or -3°C, the abundant plateau sunlight and the spring warmness enable an average daily temperature of 11°C or 13°C in Nagqu and Ngari.
In conclusion, the Tibet weather in May is warm, less windy, and has mostly sunny and clear days, which makes it suitable for visiting virtually all types of attractions in Tibet. Whether you plan to visit Tibet to experience its culture or for its amazing scenery of the mountains and lakes, May is a great time to have a wonderful Tibet trip. The quiet season of Tibet travel ends in April. After that, Tibet starts to get busy in May.
| Cities/Data | Lhasa | Shigatse | Nyingchi | Shannan | Nagqu | Ngari | Chamdo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ave. High | 21°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 11°C | 13°C | Not open for foreign tourists |
| Ave. Low | 8°C | 5°C | 7°C | 6°C | -3°C | -2°C | |
| Precipitation | 29.4 mm | 23.7 mm | 85.6 mm | 26 mm | 31 mm | 5.4 mm | |
| Humidity | 33 % | 32% | 59% | 32 % | 42 % | 25 % | |
| Sunrise (May 1st) | 7:13 AM | 7:22 AM | 7:00 AM | 7:11AM | 7:06 AM | 7:53 AM | |
| Sunset (May 1st) | 8:31PM | 8:40 PM | 8:19 PM | 8:28 PM | 8:31 PM | 9:20 PM | |
| Length of Day (May 1st) | 13h18m | 13h17m | 13h18m | 13h17m | 13h24m | 13h27m | |
Note:
The data about Shannan weather is collected from Tsetang (pingyin:Zedang) Town;
The data about Nagqu weather is collected from Xainza (pingyin: Shenzha) Town;
The data about Ngari weather is collected from Shiquanhe Town.
Disclaimer:
The above information is collected from past weather data, mainly from 2018 or 2019. It is possible for a differing weather pattern to occur in the future.
Mount Everest
The average temperature ranges from -5°C to 13°C.
Precipitation: 8mm
Wind scale: Light breeze
Sightseeing at E.B.C in May: It is very likely to have a clear panoramic view of Mount Everest in May. This is a peaceful interval between the wind season and the rainy season. It is neither too cold nor rainy. A trekking tour in the Mount Everest region in May is also feasible. When it comes to all the necessary travel documents or professional travel guides, we have experienced travel consultants who can answer your questions. You could also check out our budget-friendly and high-quality 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour.
Mt. Everest
Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake
The average temperature ranges from -2°C to 13°C.
Precipitation: 5.4mm
Humidity: 25%
Wind: 11km/h
Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in May: As the holiest mountain of Tibet, Mount Kailash has attracted an enormous number of pilgrims from Buddhist countries and regions. It also has great religious significance for the followers of the Bon religion, Jainism, and Hinduism. Manasarovar is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. The distance between Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake is only 47.6 kilometers. Taking a combined trip to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake is not only famous among the pilgrims who travel from afar, but it is also beloved by trekkers as well. If you would like to get more information about Mount Kailash, we offer tours by different themes, such as pilgrimage tour and trekking tours (doing the soul-cleansing kora). You could join our less costly group tours, or we could customize some private tours for you if you opt for more flexibility.
Mt. Kailash
Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake
The average temperature ranges from 8°C to 21°C.
Precipitation: 29.4mm
Humidity: 33%
Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake in May: May is one of the best months to visit Yamdrok Lake because the days are mostly sunny and bright. Taking an overlook at Yamdrok from Kambala-Pass, it is just breathtakingly pretty. The water colors change according to the varying light intensity. You can see plentiful kinds of greens, such as azure, turquoise, sapphire, virid, or dark green.
Namtso Lake
The average temperature ranges from -2°C to 12°C.
Rainfall: It rarely rains in May in the Namtso Lake region.
Wind: The drainage area in Namtso Lake is windy throughout most of the year. High wind days usually occur between November and May. The wind chill makes the temperature at the lakefront feel much colder.
Located in Nagqu, one of the coldest regions in Tibet, Namtso is likely to remain partially frozen. It usually thaws out completely starting from the middle of May. This is a good time to visit Namtso, but if you’re afraid of coldness, you could also choose to tour Namtso Lake during the summer months when the temperature is more bearable. You can also see shining ocean-wide lake scenery during this time as well.
Namtso Lake, Manasarovar Lake and Yamdrok Lake are the three sacred lakes for the Tibetan people. In fact, Namtso Lake is one of the most popular destinations for domestic and international tourists.
Note: Namtso Lake is located at 4,618 meters above sea level, which is 1,000 meters higher than Lhasa. We highly suggest that visitors get acclimatized for a few days in Lhasa before heading to Namtso Lake in order to avoid possible acute high-altitude sickness.
Namtso Lake in May
Alpine Azalea in Lebu Valley, Shannan
Every May and June, the gorgeous alpine azalea blossoms come into blooming season. The homeland for Tibet’s alpine azalea is located in the Shannan and Nyingchi area. However, Shannan is rarely known for its abundance of plants. Because of the special subtropical climate, the humidity and moisture help shape this unique natural landscape, in comparison to the typical arid Tibetan Plateau climate. The crimson, milk-white and pink azaleas come marching out into the approachable mountain areas or the deep remote forests. In May of each year, the Azalea Festival is annually held in Lebu Valley, Cuona County, Shannan, Tibet.
