Top 9 Things to Do in Winter Tibet

If a peaceful and quiet tour in this beautiful and unique region is what you are looking for, winter may be the best time for you. Let's take a look at what we can do while traveling to Tibet in winter!

Taking Great Photo of Potala Palace

Potala Palace is an amazing sight all year around. Sitting on the Red Hill, this stunning red and white palace shines under the sunlight. It is one of the most photographed attractions in Tibet and its image is printed on the 50 Yuan Chinese Currency. In the winter time, when the trees are bare of leaves and there is a little frost on the ground to add flavor to your picture, it is one of the best times of year to get those all-important shots of Tibet’s most iconic landmark. Don't miss this one when doing the Lhasa City tour!

Bathing the Cozy Sunshine at Jokhang Temple Square

Jokhang Temple is the most sacred Temple in Tibet. Thousands of pilgrims will make their way across the plateau on foot every year, some even traveling from different provinces. Endowed with the name of 'City of Sunshine", the square in front of the temple is bathed in sunshine even in winter time. Sitting in the sunshine and watching the pilgrims doing kora in front of Jokhang Temple is one of the most stunning things to do when traveling in Lhasa. You will see the power of belief and religion from the local devoted Tibetans.

Following the Barkhor Kora with Devout Pilgrims

Around the Jokhang Temple is the famous ritual kora route, a circuitous trek for devout Buddhists that is part of the religious culture of Tibet. There is a kora running around almost every sacred and holy site, and by making the ritual walk, Buddhists believe they will gain merit on their journey towards enlightenment. You can join the pilgrims on their ritual walk, which is around the Bakhos Street all the way to Jokhang Temple, and learn more about Tibetan Buddhism.

Sipping the Tibetan Sweet Tea with Locals

Tibetan sweet tea is made from black tea leaves infused with yak milk and white sugar. It's a daily drinking for local Tibetans due to its hot, delicious and refreshing taste. Like foreigners prefer coffee, Tibetans love to drink sweet tea. Countless teahouses are in Lhasa city and it becomes a social places for local people to meet, gossip, read and spend the day.

Bird-watching at Lalu Wetlands National Nature Preserve

Lalu Wetland is the largest urban-based wetlands in the world, situated in the west of Lhasa. It is one of the main bird sanctuaries for migrating birds from northern Tibetan and Mongolia in the winter months. If lucky, you can see rare birds such as the black-necked crane and the ruddy shelduck to spend the winter Lhasa, where there is a better chance of finding food and warmer climate to nest.

Celebrating Tibetan New Year Festival

Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is the most important festival in Tibet. Local people will celebrate the coming new year and hope for a better year ahead. This festival will last for about 2 weeks and Tibetan people in Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai will also hold this grandest festival. Normally speaking, it falls in Feb. or March depending on the Tibetan calender. If you visit during this time, you will fee strong holiday atmosphere and it would be a great experience to spend the new year with local Tibetans. To know more about Tibet Festivals. 

Appreciating Turquoise Blue Yamdroktso in Tibet winter

Lake Yamdrok is one of the three Holy Lakes in Tibet, lying about 100 kilometers to the southwest of Lhasa City. Before it start to freeze in winter, the beautiful water of the lake turns a deep shade of turquoise in the winter. The sight of the lake, which is believed to be the home of the protector goddess of Tibet, is one of the most spectacular sights in the region. Due to the close distance, normally speaking, 5 days would be enough for the Yamdrok Lake tour. 

Capturing the Clear Panorama of Mount Namcha Barwa

In Nyingchi lies the beautiful mountain called Mt. Namche Barwa. Sitting in the eastern Himalayas, Namche Barwa is the highest mountain over 7,000 meters in the eastern end of this vast mountain chain, and sits at the entrance to the world’s largest and deepest canyon, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. If you visit Nyingtri area in winter, you can capture a stunning panoramic vista of the mountain.

Enjoying the Snow at Mt. Everest Base Camp

Even in winter, travelers can still visit Everest Base Camp thanks to the purpose-built asphalt road, unless there is an unexpected and heavy snowfall. Taking a picutre of Everest Base Camp in front of Rongbuk Monastery with snows on the top of the mountain will be the best picture you will ever have! Due to the weather, there will be few clouds and wonderful visibility. An Everest Base Camp tour in winter will definitely once for a lifetime experience!