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Tibet Winter Travel Tips

Tibet is covered by ice and snow all the year. Most people consider that winter is not a good season to visit. However, according to experienced travelers, the average temperature of Tibet in winter is about 12 degrees Celsius and can be even higher in the daytime because of intensive sunlight. Winter is also a good season for travellers to start a Tibet tour.

Recommended scenic spots

Recommended Tibet scenic spots in winter for travelers are concentrated around Lhasa and Nyingchi. The first is Mount Namjagbarwa whose relatively low altitude and high humidity covers the mountain in fog and cloud both in spring and summer. So the dry season(from September to the spring) is the best time to visit Mount Namjagbarwa. Other sights include the new and old sections of Lhasa, boating in the Crayon Brahmaputra, taking pictures at the joint of two rivers (the Niyang river and Brahmaputra river).

Things to take to make sure for an easy winter holiday in Tibet

Average altitude in those areas s around 3,000 meters and only cause slight altitude sickness. Taking some anti-anoxic medicines like Hongjingtian and Gaoyuanan is enough for the first few days after arriving at those places.

Other things that is neccesary for travellers who visit Tibet in winter holiday are sunglasses, glacier caps and sunscreen creams preventing over-exposure to intensive sunshine and snow blindness. Some ginger powder is also helpful for travellers to get rid of bugs because that not all hostels in Tibet can provide bed blankets free of these insects. Breathable underwear is better than cotton underwear because cotton underwear is airtight and the undrained sweat makes people feel cold. Last but not least, take some painkillers like paracetemol or aspirin, which can help with frostbite as well as aches and colds

The main food in Tibet in winter is meat. Famous local snacks include mutton eaten with the hands, roasted sheep intestines and dried meat.

Festivals falling in winter time

Winter is a festive season in Tibet. For many Tibet winter travelers, festival celebrations are also exciting attraction. Here is a list of Tibetan festivals that fall in winter.

*Gongbu Festival, Nyingchi

It falls on October 1st according to the Tibetan calendar (in November or December according to the Gregorian calendar), this festival is celebrated to commemorate the soldiers who died in wars protecting Tibetans from invaders in the old days. The activities of the festival include dancing, horseracing and fair markets.

*Xiannv Festival (fairy festival)

This festival also called the heaven mother festival, the Xiannv Festival falls on October 15th according to the Tibetan calendar, it iis considered that is a festival for Tibetan women. Religious celebrations are held throughout Tibet.

*Randeng Festival (lamp lighting festival)

Celebrated to commemorate a great Tibetan reformer, Zongkaba, this festival falls on October 25th according to the Tibetan calendar. the activities of Randeng Festival celebration include lighting ghee lights and singing religious songs.

*Qugui Festival (ghost driving festival)

Qugui Festival falls on December 29th according to the Tibetan calendar, which is celebrated to welcome the New Year. Activities of celebration include praying for good fortune the next year and household cleanings are held.

*Zanglinian (Tibetan new year)

Zanglinian falls on January 1st according to the Tibetan calendar, which is the most important festival in Tibet. Tibetans start preparing for new year at the beginning of December according to the Tibetan calendar. They usually prepare somthing like tsamba, fried kernels and Renshenguo, a kind of tonic fruit in Tibet. On New Year's Eve, people present the prepared food in front of the images of Buddha. On the first day of the New Year, the first thing to do is to take a barrel of water home from the river. It is believed that the first barrel of water in the new year is lucky water. Relatives and friends begin to visit each other on the second day.

*Suyou Huadenghui (ghee lamp festival)

It falls on January 15th according to the Tibetan calendar, and celebrated by monastery in the daytime while the Barkhor Street celebrate at night. Shelves of lamps representing colorful images such as gods, birds, flowers and trees. Tourists can also enjoy the festival show.

Tibetan New Year Tour

More Tibet New Year Options

• Losar Festival

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