There’s no doubt that taking a trip to Tibet can be a challenging endeavor due to all the paperwork and planning that you have to do prior to your trip, but if you get everything sorted out, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime.
Tibet is a truly special place, from the buildings to the landscapes to the history, and the people are extremely friendly and welcoming. You’re guaranteed to have a spectacular time. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The plateau, bounded by the Himalayas to the south and west and the Thanggula mountain range to the north, can be a harsh climate to live in.
In fact, some parts of the region are as-yet uninhabited. However, you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the beautiful landscapes and traditional villages, taking a Himalayan tour, learning about the history and having a totally unique experience.
How to Get to Tibet
You can take the passenger train to Tibet from various regions of China and be on the most elevated rail route in the world, reaching up to 5,072 m. Other options flying from China, or cross the border from India and Nepal, a visa is required to get in advance.
Tibet Tourism Permits
The government of China is strict about allowing tourists into Tibet. You will need to acquire permits, and you won’t be able to travel on your own; you’ll need to have a guide and sign up for a licensed tour. Technically the permit is free, but most tour agencies will charge you $100+ for it, and you’ll need to apply for the permit a couple weeks before you plan to visit the region.
Weather and Best Time to Visit Tibet
Weather is an important element you should consider if you want to visit Tibet.
Tibet takes up an area of 120 square kilometers, average altitude is 4,000 meters, and is the main part of Tibetan Plateau. Locating in this vast plateau, the weather and climate of Tibet own some unique features.
Winter is long and summer is really short in Tibet. From July to September every year is the best time for traveling in Tibet. In some certain areas the time may varies, like in Qamdo and other inaccessible areas the best time is May, June and September; in Ngari the best time is in spring and autumn.
In Nyingchi the most beautiful scenery appear in fall. In northern Tibet as wind sand blows greatly in spring, the most favourable time is in autumn, but the time is very short. As long as no snow falls in winter, you can also choose the time in winter.
The sunshine in Tibet is very strong and has a very long duration. Tibet is known as the place in China that receives the most solar radiation. The hours of sunshine throughout the year in Lhasa are 3005 hours, 2.4 times as in Chengdu and 1.5 times as in Shanghai, so Lhasa is called “Solar City”.
The air pressure and air density of Tibet are very low, as the air pressure decreases very quickly with the increase of height. And Tibet is very cool in summer and very cold in winter. Annual range of temperature is small while its daily variation is very large.
The terrain in Tibet is very complex, since the weather changes with the terrain, the annual average temperature of Nakqu is two degrees centigrade below zero, however in Lhasa is 7.5 degree centigrade. In Lhasa, The extreme maximum temperature in summer is 29.4 degree centigrade, which is the condition of Chengdu in March, and the minimum temperature in winter is 16.5 degree centigrade below zero, which is even 0.8 degree higher than Hankou. The annual temperature change in Tibet is very small, because in winter the cold air from north is blocked by the plateau and its northern mountains and the forces are greatly weakened; in summer the clouds and rains make the temperature very cool.
The rain season in Tibet is from June to September when 90 percent of rains fall during this period. The rainfall varies greatly in different areas, like in Lhasa the annual rainfall is 454 mm, and in Garxian is only 60 mm. During rain season, heavy rains fall in some certain areas and in Qamdo, while in Lhasa and Shigatse rain mainly falls at night.
From November to May of next year is the wind season in Tibet except the northeastern area. The strongest winds appear between February and March. Gale days in Lhasa last 27 days per year.
Top Reasons to Visit Tibet
These are some of the things you will fall in love with in Tibet, and why this destination will have a lasting impact on you.
Teahouses
Teahouses are an excellent way to get involved in the local Tibetan culture, as they are an important place for Tibetans to socialize, meet friends and hear the news. There are two kinds of Tibetan tea: salted or sweet.
The Tibetan butter tea, or pöcha, is a bit of an acquired taste that doesn’t appeal to a lot of tourists. A lot of people describe the taste as similar to a blue cheese, but if you imagine it as a kind of cheesy soup, you might find it delicious after some time spent in the Tibetan cold.
Sweet tea is a relatively new concept in Tibet and was originally reserved only for the rich since both the tea and the sugar had to be imported and were quite scarce. Now you should be able to find sweet tea at many cafés, and although not entirely cultural, this can be a great thing to drink while enjoying some time in a teahouse and warming up.
Architecture
When you think of the best places in the world for architecture, Tibet may not be on your list, but only if you’ve never seen a picture of Potala Palace.
This structure, rising above the city of Lhasa, was once the home of the Dalai Lama and currently houses a museum. It’s an immense building, truly a wondrous feat of architecture. Make sure you head up to the roof for some spectacular views of the surroundings!
To see a different side of Tibetan architecture, you should definitely head out to Palcho Monastery. Kumbums, or tiered buildings with separate chapels on each floor, are peculiar to Tibetan Buddhist architecture, and Palcho Monastery is one of the largest such structures in Tibet.
Pilgrimage
Religion is an important part of Tibetan culture, and no place exemplifies this more than Jokhang Temple in the center of Lhasa.
Originally constructed in the mid-seventh century, this is considered one of the most sacred places in Tibet and is the spiritual center of the Yellow Branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Head into the central hall to see the life-sized Buddhist statue and the pilgrims prostrating themselves before it. You will also see many pilgrims circling the temple on Barkhor Street in a devotional ritual.
If you have more time, visit Samye Monastery, the oldest monastery in Tibet and birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism. Traveling from Lhasa, it will take about a day to get out to the monastery, but it’s well worth the trip. Not only is the monastery itself of interest, but the surroundings of barren mountains and sand dunes lend a stunning backdrop to the building.
Everest
You can approach Everest through either Nepal or Tibet. Be aware that this plan is not for the faint of heart: it’s a long drive from Lhasa, and you’ll need to arrange separate permits in addition to your general permit to travel in Tibet.
Even if you plan to go no further than the base camp, you might find it difficult to cope with the altitude, so make sure you’re aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and bring along the appropriate medications in case they’re needed.
But if you make the trip, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Everest and will get to explore little villages along the way, plus you’ll get to meet a lot of cool people during the journey.
Tibetan New Year and Festivals
If you have the chance, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit Tibet during the Tibetan New Year. This is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar.
Thousands of monks flock to the cities, where there are plenty of special activities and events marking the occasion. The first three days are the most important days of the celebration, which lasts approximately two weeks. This is the time when Tibetans prepare for and then celebrate the New Year with much merriment and delicious food!
Although the New Year is the most important of Tibetan festivals, there are plenty of other festivals held throughout the year. These can be a great way to explore the local culture and traditions, so if you have the chance, don’t pass up this unique opportunity to get involved!