When to go · Shigatse
Shigatse in March
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Dust and chilly winds in the north; Tibet permits often paused; blossom in the south.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) / −9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 3
- Crowds
- Medium
- China overall
- Prices
- Medium
- China overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Dust and chilly winds in the north; Tibet permits often paused; blossom in the south.
Is another month better than March?
March is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in March
- ShigatseHighs around 5 °C (41 °F), lows around -9 °C (16 °F), rain on about 3 daysHighs around 41 °F (5 °C), lows around 16 °F (-9 °C), rain on about 3 days
- Tibetan plateau, China · Lhasa, Shigatse, western Sichuan, Qinghaicool
Altitude 3,000–5,000 m: strong sun, cold nights all year. Permits for Tibet often pause in March — check.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · China overall
- Medium
- Prices · China overall
- Medium
China overall: Dust and chilly winds in the north; Tibet permits often paused; blossom in the south.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Shigatse, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Mar: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Mar: -9 °C (16 °F)16 °F (-9 °C)
May: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 3 (better)
May: 5
Crowds
Mar: Medium
May: High
Prices
Mar: Medium
May: High
Festivals listed
Mar: 0
May: 1
March: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–Oct). Across China: Dust and chilly winds in the north; Tibet permits often paused; blossom in the south.
May: Inside Shigatse's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Shigatse: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket