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.
Beautiful Mount Namjagbarwa. The year 2006 witnessed the inclusion of Mount Namjagbarwa on the "most breath-taking places in China" list sponsored by the China National Geography magazine.[Photo by baidu.com] |
The year 2006 witnessed the inclusion of Mount Namjagbarwa on the "most breath-taking places in China" list sponsored by the China National Geography magazine. Nicknamed "the father of glaciers", 7,787-meter-high Mount Namjagbarwa is located in the Nyingchi area, east of Tibet. The most beautiful scenery of Mount Namjagbarwa can only be seen in autumn and winter. As a result, Tibet winter travel has begun to catch people's attention.
Recommended scenic spots
Recommended scenic spots for Tibet winter 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 in spring and summer. As a result, the dry season, from September to the spring is the best time to appreciate Mount Namjagbarwa. Others sights include the old and new sections of Lhasa, boating in the Crayon Brahmaputra, taking pictures at two rivers' joint (the Niyang river and Brahmaputra river), sightseeing in Norbu Lingka (a beautiful garden on the suburb of Lhasa), living in the holiday village by Basum Lake (a holy lake at the foot of glaciers) and visiting Sangmu village.
Things to take to make sure for an easy winter holiday in Tibet
Altitude in these areas averages around 3,000 meters and can only cause slight altitude sickness. Taking some anti-anoxic medicines like Hongjingtian and Gaoyuanan is enough to ease through the first few days after arriving at these places.
Other things that can ensure travellers have an easy winter holiday in Tibet are sunglasses, glacier caps and sunscreen creams preventing over-exposure to intensive sunshine and Xuemang (snow blindness)). Some ginger powder is also necessary to get rid of bugs because not all hostels in Tibet can provide bed blankets free of these insects. Breathable underwear is better than cotton underwear for cotton underwear is airtight and the undrained sweat can make people feel cold. Last but not least, bring a painkiller such as 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 Shouzhua Yangrou (mutton eaten with the hands), roasted sheep intestines and dried meat.
Festivals falling in winter time
Winter is a festive season in Tibet. For Tibet winter travelers, festival celebrations are another attraction. So here is a list of Tibetan festivals that fall in winter.
*Gongbu Festival, Nyingchi
Falling on October 1 according to the Tibetan calendar (in November or December according to the Gregorian calendar), this festival is celebrated to commemorate soldiers dying in wars protecting Tibetans from invaders in the old days. Activities include dancing, horseracing and fair markets.
*Xiannv Festival (fairy festival)
Also called the Tianmu Festival (heaven mother festival), the Xiannv Festival falls on October 15 according to the Tibetan calendar and is considered the festival for Tibetan women. Religious celebrations are held throughout Tibet.
*Randeng Festival (lamp lighting festival)
Falling on October 25 according to the Tibetan calendar, the Randeng Festival is celebrated to commemorate a great Tibetan reformer, Zongkaba. Celebration activities include lighting ghee lights and singing religious songs.
*Qugui Festival (ghost driving festival)
Falling on December 29 according to the Tibetan calendar, the Qugui Festival is celebrated to welcome the New Year. Grand Tiaoshen activities such as praying for good fortune the next year and household cleanings are held.
*Zanglinian (Tibetan new year)
Falling on January 1 according to the Tibetan calendar, Zanglinian is the most important festival in Tibet. People start preparing for Zanglinian at the beginning of December according to the Tibetan calendar. People prepare tsamba, fried kernels and Renshenguo (a kind of tonic fruit in Tibet). On New Year's Eve, people present the prepared food to 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, the first barrel of water in the new year is lucky water. On the second day, relatives and friends begin to visit each other.
*Suyou Huadenghui (ghee lamp festival)
Falling on January 15 according to the Tibetan calendar, Suyou Huadenghui is celebrated by monastery worship in the daytime and the Barkhor Street lamp festival at night. There will be shelves of lamps representing various colorful images such as gods, birds, flowers and trees. Tourists can also enjoy a puppet show.
- From chinadaily.com.cn
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