Tibet Winter Travel Tips
As Tibet is covered by ice and snow throughout the year, most people assume that winter is not a good time to visit. However, according to expert travelers, the winter temperature of Lhasa averages about 12 degrees Celsius and the daytime temperatures of winter in Lhasa can be even higher as a result of intensive sunlight.
Why Traveling Tibet in Winter
1. Good weather
Compared with other cities in the northern China, Tibet is not cold as you are expecting it to be. What’s more, it is warmer that Beijing, the capital of China. The climate of the Tibetan Plateau is characterized by large temperature difference between day and night throughout the year. The temperature is not low after the sun comes out during the day. At night, the sky is clear and sometimes you can see the stars in the sky.
2. Best time to experience the local culture
Every winter (November to next March), there are more pilgrimages in Lhasa than in summer. The scene is spectacular and the sound is huge. Everyone reads the six-character mantra and makes the pilgrimage to the buddhas of the Barkhor Street. It may be that many people think that this kind of pilgrimage is a bit devastating, even stupid. In fact, when we look at the pilgrimage from a different angle, we will find that Tibetans are focused on doing one thing for a lifetime, and this is something that many of us can’t do. Religious activities and temples are found at every corner in the country with a large number of worshipers and devotees coming from all over the world.
3. Best time for photographers
In Tibet, there are two many things that can take great pictures, such as natural landscapes and villages. During winter, the sun lies a little lower and also the sky is very clear, which helps you to cast ambient light, and snow covered mountains are illuminated perfectly. In winter, only locals and Tibetans who have comet to pilgrimage in Tibet have fewer tourists and restored the most authentic look of Tibet. The main spots for photography are the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Yamdrok Lake, Yangpachen Hot Spring, Sera Monastery, Samye Temple, Grashi Monastery, Gandan Monastery.
4. Best time to enjoy the breathless snowscape
There is less impetuousness and more cleanliness in winter of Tibet. The simple beauty under the cool winter sun is restored without the noise and those whitewashed sceneries. Bathed in the warm sunshine of Lhasa, the plain Potala Palace stands proudly in the wind and frost of thousands of years. Sitting quietly in front of the Jokhang Temple, watching the believers make the pilgrimage and the six-character mantra echoes gently in the ear. Nyingchi is known as “little Jiangnan in Tibet(regions south of the Yangtze River)” and “Oriental Switzerland”, but she is more pure than Switzerland and more affectionate than Jiangnan. White snow, the thousand-year roots , and the stream of snow melted in the distance, Nyingchi becomes so gentle in winter. The continuous ranges of snow covered mountains like Mt. Namjagbarwa and Mt. Everest make you forget all the troubles.
5. Best time to enjoy festivals
Winter is a festive season in Tibet. For Tibet winter travelers, festival celebrations are another attraction. And the festivals are Gongbu Festival, Nyingchi, Xiannv Festival (fairy festival), Randeng Festival (lamp lighting festival), Qugui Festival (ghost driving festival), Zanglinian (Tibetan new year), Suyou Huadenghui (ghee lamp festival). And the Tibet Festivals Tour in winter will make you fall in love with Tibet.
6. Cost-effective Tour in winter
It is cost-effective to make a tour to Tibet in winter. For the entrance fee, transportation, accommodations are affordable in winter. All the prices in winter are cheaper than that in summer.
Tips for Winter Travel to Tibet
Besides the price cuts and all discounts, you need to consider few more facts if you are planning to go Tibet during winters.
- Make your preparations with enough warm clothes, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, fur boots, fur coats, feather garments.
- Lip protectors, sunscreens, glacier caps, sunglasses and other products for skin care are necessary.
- Bring a camera with ultraviolet filter
Recommended Tibet winter tour routes:
- Top Winter Destinations in Tibet for Tibet Winter Tour
