Tibet in winter is a hidden gem. Traveling against the trend is a sure win!

I've been traveling for years and realized I'd never been to Tibet. This Lunar New Year, I finally visited Tibet in winter, and it turned out to be a hidden gem!

👍Advantages

⭕Lower travel expenses
My flight from Chengdu to Lhasa cost a little over CNY 500, and the return flight from Lhasa to Shanghai was a little over CNY 1,300. Accommodation was just over CNY 100 per night, and the car rental fee was a little over CNY 200 per person per day. Most attractions are free, and the expressways are toll-free. Overall, the expenses were quite low.

⭕Fewer tourists
Most people choose to stay home or travel nearby during Lunar New Year, so there were significantly fewer tourists. Apart from the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, the other attractions we visited weren't crowded.

⭕High visibility of snow-capped mountains
Tibet has clear weather in winter, offering a much higher chance of seeing various snow-capped mountains than in other seasons. It's also an ideal time to visit glaciers.

⭕A great season for snow viewing
For those from the south, the world of ice and snow has a natural appeal. In winter, Tibet offers easy access to such beautiful scenery.

⭕The weather is not that cold
Contrary to popular belief, not all of Tibet is freezing cold in winter. Some places are even warmer than many southern cities. For example, the temperature in Lhasa and Nyingchi can reach over 10°C during Lunar New Year, with lows only dipping to a few degrees below zero.

👎🏻Disadvantages

⭕Altitude sickness may be more severe
Due to various factors, altitude sickness is more likely to occur in winter, so winter travel to Tibet is not suitable for everyone. After arriving in Tibet, avoid strenuous exercise and be careful not to catch a cold.

⭕Relatively monotonous scenery
Apart from snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, and evergreen vegetation, the scenery is relatively bleak and certainly not as vibrant as in other seasons.

⭕Potential transportation inconvenience
Extreme snowstorms may lead to road closures.