Notes for Travel to Tibet in Winter

The special natural environment and severe climate condition on Tibet Plateau require visitors to make a good preparation before their departure. To ensure a save and pleasant trip, tourists planning to go to Tibet in winter are kindly suggested to pay attention to the notes for travel to Tibet in winter.

Tourists planning to travel to Tibet in winter are highly recommended to conserve strength and store up energy for the toilsome Tibet trip about one week in advance. Avoid catching a cold and put off your Tibet tour plan if you are suffering a cold or fever.

It is a good choice for tourists to join the Tibet train tours in winter for it would be much easier to get a Tibet train ticket compared to the summer season. The fascinating natural landscapes along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway must leave you deep impression. Also, it might be a better choice to fly out Lhasa after a toilful trip.

It is advisable to prepare enough cash for most stores/hotels/restaurants in Tibet only support cash payment. Currency exchange would only be available in few high standard hotels in Nyingchi, Shigatse and Shannan. There would be more currency exchange sites in Lhasa and other better developed areas.

The climate on Tibet Plateau is characterized by dry air and strong ultraviolet radiation even in winter. Therefore, tourists planning to travel to Tibet in winter should prepare the necessary sunglasses, sun-blocking cream, and lipstick to protect your eyes, skin and lips from the strong sunshine during the daytime.

The average temperature would be around 17 Celsius during the daytime in Tibet, but the temperature would drop to 0 Celsius or even lower than 0 Celsius in the night. The obvious temperature difference requires tourists to pack enough warm clothes in advance. A war sleeping bag is necessary if you are planning to spend a night in the place with an altitude of more than 4500 meters.

High altitude sickness is the largest concern for most tourists planning to travel to Tibet in winter. Tourists who've been to Tibet held that a good mindset is very import since the high altitude sickness is pretty unpredictable. Medicines effective in the prevention of high altitude sickness could help you to get adapt to the plateau environment sooner and better.

Tourists travel to Tibet in winter by air should note that the high altitude sickness symptoms might attack you in 12-14 hours after you landing on Lhasa. Good rest could keep you be away from the high altitude sickness. Hence, visitors are not advised to start your sightseeing in the very first period of your arrival.

Tourists travel to Tibet in winter don't need to be over worried if you are only suffering some slight high altitude sickness symptoms for these symptoms will disappear without any treatment. Don't be too depending on the oxygen bottle and leave enough time for proper adaptation on the plateau.

Tourists being extremely worried about the possible high altitude sickness should visit regions (such as Nyingchi) with lower altitude in the earlier days. Don't go to the regions with higher altitude after you get a good adaptation in the lower regions.