Some of us have seen or heard about Tibet’s ever-changing landscapes, serene snow-capped mountains, profound religious sentiments, the mighty Yarlung Tsangpo River, the unique and mysterious local culture, brilliant sunshine, and the enchanting Potala Palace, among other mystical legends, since childhood from friends, colleagues, family, TV, or the internet.
Tibet can’t wash your soul like disinfectant, nor make you forget your troubles like magic water, but if you take the time to slowly observe and reflect on its beauty, Tibet will reveal its uniqueness and share its mysteries with you.
How about traveling to Tibet in winter?
Okay, then let’s talk about traveling to Tibet in winter. Is the scenery not as good as in summer? Is it extremely cold? Has the tourist season ended, with everyone gone and nowhere to eat or stay?
Hehe, actually none of that is true. Tibet is a really cool place, uniquely beautiful in all four seasons. Traveling there in winter is gradually becoming a trend, though of course not as popular as in summer.
The sun in Tibet is especially strong in winter. Under its rays, the snowy plateau feels surprisingly warm. Whether you’re in Lhasa, known as the “City of Sun,” on the northern grasslands of Nagqu, in the western region of Shigatse, in the southern Shannan area, or in Nyingchi, known as the “Little Jiangnan of Tibet,” the warm sunlight follows you everywhere. Under this comforting sunshine, you’ll naturally relax and fully enjoy nature’s kindness, gaining a new perspective on the cold winter. Of course, nights can be chilly, but that won’t affect your daytime enjoyment.
Then there’s the scenery — blue skies, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, faith, and magnificent ancient cities. These sights are no less stunning than in summer because winter is Tibet’s dry season, with no rainy weather, so the blue skies and white clouds accompany your dreams. As for faith, devout believers don’t go home to sleep in winter, so Lhasa’s streets remain lively, and the majestic ancient city doesn’t disappear. And the snow-capped mountains go without saying. Also, when it comes to food, accommodation, and attraction tickets, winter is the off-season for tourism in Lhasa, so everything is much more affordable. For example, local-style guesthouses — during peak season, especially those near the Potala with private bathrooms, rarely cost less than 400 RMB for a double room, but in winter, you can rent one for a whole month for around 800 RMB. As for attraction tickets, in peak season (summer), Potala tickets sometimes soar up to 1000 RMB, certainly not less than 300 RMB. In winter, they’re just 100 RMB.
So personally, I think traveling to Tibet in winter is a bit more worthwhile than in summer — firstly in terms of budget, and secondly because there are fewer people, so you can relax and enjoy your trip without the crowds.
