Delhi vs Lhasa

Delhi

Delhi has an extreme climate with scorching summers (April-June), a humid monsoon (July-September), and cool to cold winters (November-February). October-March is the best period for visiting. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C (113°F).

Lhasa

Lhasa is classified as a high-altitude semi-arid plateau climate — thin, dry air year-round with over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually (one of the sunniest cities in China). Daytime is warm in summer and cold but sunny in winter; nights are always cold because of the altitude. The monsoon brushes the plateau in July and August, bringing short afternoon showers but rarely all-day rain, making Tibet considerably drier than the Himalayan regions to the south. Wind and UV are intense year-round at this elevation.

Delhi

Delhi has excellent public transport anchored by the massive Metro system. Auto-rickshaws, ride-hailing apps (Uber and Ola), and cycle rickshaws fill the gaps. Traffic is notoriously congested, especially during rush hours. The Metro is usually the fastest way to get around.

Walkability: Delhi is not a walkable city overall — distances are vast, sidewalks are often broken or nonexistent, and traffic is aggressive. However, specific areas are great for walking: Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk to Jama Masjid), Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden area, and Hauz Khas Village. Always carry water and sun protection.

Lhasa

Lhasa is small and manageable — the old town around the Jokhang and Barkhor is entirely walkable, and most tour itineraries use a private vehicle with your assigned driver and guide for the outlying monasteries (Sera, Drepung, Norbulingka, Potala). Independent public transport is possible within Lhasa city itself for short distances, but no foreign tourist should be taking long-distance buses or taxis alone — your Tibet Travel Permit requires you to be with your guide for essentially all sightseeing.

Walkability: The old Tibetan quarter around the Jokhang is wonderfully walkable — narrow whitewashed lanes, prayer-wheel corridors, and a flat grid you can cover in a morning. The Potala, Norbulingka, Sera, and Drepung are all too far to walk and sit at awkward angles from the centre; your tour vehicle or a taxi is required. Altitude makes walking feel slower than it looks on a map for the first 48 hours.