Some areas of Tibet work well for winter travel, while others do not.
In this post, we’ll look at some popular travel destinations in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and let you know what they are like in the winter.
We’ll also give you an idea of where you really don’t want to go in winter, and areas that are open but may be more challenging for winter travelers.
For travel purposes, winter in Tibet generally runs from early November through February, sometimes into March. In the past, Tibet was often closed to travelers in March and occasionally part of February, but in recent years full winter closures have become much less common.
Good Areas for Tibet Winter Travel
Lhasa and the surrounding areas are quite good options…
They tend to be sunny during the day with rare rain or snow, but also quite cold at night.
Multitudes of nomads from all over Tibet crowd the streets as they travel on pilgrimages.
Tourists are much fewer than in the spring, summer or fall. (Learn more about Tibet weather here.)
Here are areas good for winter visits:
- Lhasa and Lhasa Area
- Lhasa city: Jokhang, Potala, Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery, Barkhor
- Drak Yerba
- Ganden Monastery
- Shigatse: Tashi Lumpo Monastery
- Gyantse: Kumbum Stupa, Pelkor Choede Monastery
- Samye and Chimbu
- You may want to take a day trip to Samye and stay there or in Tsetang
- Tsetang Area: Yumbulakhang, Damtruk Monastery, Mindroling Monastery
Are you Thinking of a Trip in Winter?
If you’re planning a trip to Tibet, you should know that no independent travel is allowed to Tibet and you must work with an official travel agency.
We advise that you choose a Tibetan-owned agency, which hires Tibetan guides only.
The simplest way to do this is ask us to connect you to a reliable Tibetan-owned travel agent to plan a great trip for you that also supports the local Tibetan economy and culture.
If you live in China and think you might want to visit the Amdo region of Tibet for Tibetan New Year celebrations, contact us here. Just choose “custom trip” and write Tibetan New Year in the box at the end of the form.
Not So Good in the Winter
- Trekking
- Basically all trekking is closed mid-Oct. to mid-April, due to snow in the mountains
- Mount Kailash
- The road is fine but you can’t do the kora because the Dolma La pass is covered in snow
- Lake Namtso
- Namtso lake is generally frozen from early October until the end of April. Some tourists like the frozen beauty, but the challenge is that the Lagen La pass, on the road from Lhasa to Namtso, is totally closed a few days each winter, and you don’t know when that will be. The closure depends on the weather. If there has been a heavy snowfall, then the Damshong regional tourism bureau and Namtso national park administration will close the road until the snow melts. Even when it is open in the winter months, the Lagen La pass (5190 m/17,027 ft) road can be be risky driving. In the below map, from Damshong to Namtso Lake, you see the part of the journey that is problematic.
Can be Good But Also Challenging
Everest Base Camp (EBC)
- The road to EBC is almost never closed but, if there happens to be a winter storm, can have poor conditions from mid-October to the end of April. This is not common, as winter is part of Tibet’s dry season, but it is possible.
- Note that in 2017 EBC closed due to heavy snow, unusually.
- From mid-October to early April, the yak tent guesthouse accommodations have been closed. Only Rongbuk monastery guesthouse is usually open. You can also stay a bit lower down, at Tashi Dzong, where the eco-bus to EBC starts.
Lhasa to Kyirong at Nepal Border
- This road is more likely to be closed in winter. The problem is that the Gong Thang Lamo Pass (~5300m) gets snowed in. Also, the road is very steep down to Kyirong, so not good in dodgy weather.
- Not recommended November to end of March, inclusive.
Tirdrum Nunnery
- You can travel to Tirdrum in the winter but the hotels and guesthouses tend to be basic with no heat and public bathrooms that can be not so fun to do in winter. There is one hot spring hotel several kilometers down from the nunnery, where the hotel also has hot spring pool and room has bathroom inside but it’s a little expensive.
Reting
- The road okay — no high passes, so generally no snow or ice.
- The rooms tend to be very basic, and with public toilets. There is one better hotel near Reting monastery and it can receive foreigners. The rooms are clean and comfortable but still no toilets in the rooms.
Winter Travel Notes
- In winter, if you’re traveling outside Lhasa, you should expect some things not to go right — if there has been a snow, water lines might get frozen, the roads may be tricky, and other things like that.
- You might want to bring or ask for a lined sleeping bag, and a blanket for when you’re in the car.
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