Tibet Winter Travel Guide & Get into Lhasa by Train in Winter
Tashi Delek! When you have read many posts saying that winter is also a good season to travel to Lhasa and other prefectures of Tibet, ( please read Tour Tibet in Winter: why & how to visit Tibet in winter ) , I believe that you would doubt that there is only snow landscapes when all Tibet are covered under the snow, even you think Tibet can not be reached to by train or flight.
Lhasa Potala Palace in Winter
Recommended Scenic Spots in Lhasa and Ningchi
However, I am sure to tell you that Tibet is at its most authentic in winter. With its flat land and mild weather, Lhasa is free of both freezing winter and the winter temperature averages about 12 degrees Celsius, and the daytime temperature can be even higher as a result of intensive sunlight. Therefore, you can travel the popular sightseeings in Lhasa, like Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera Monastery, Norbulingka Palace.
Mount Namjagbarwa
Considering safety factors in the winter, the Ali region is usually closed, and the Mt. Everest and Namtso Lake are closed on and off. But Nyingchi scenic spots for Tibet winter travelers are recommended. The first is Mount Namjagbarwa, whose relatively low altitude and high humidity make the mountain cover in fog and cloud in spring and winter, so it is reputed to be the “Paradise in the Clouds”. As a result, the dry season from September to March is the best time to appreciate Mount Namjagbarwa. In Tibetan language, Namjagbarwa literally means “a spear piercing into the sky”. The second is Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon. Visiting there for taking pictures at two rivers’ joint ( the NIyang River and Brahmaputra River), and living in the holiday village by Basum Lake ( a holy lake at the foot of glaciers).
Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon
Safe to Lhasa by Train from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, etc.
As everyone knows that Qing-Tibet Railway is the world’s highest railway, and the highest section is Tanggula Pass at 5,072m ( 16,627) above sea level. The world’s highest railway station is Tanggula Railway station at 5,068m. There are there issues: high altitude, oxygen shortages and barely permanent permafrost.
Qing-Tibet Railway in Winter
In every passenger train, there is a doctor. If you appear dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and other symptoms, the doctor will serve for you. The whole train is equipped with the oxygen supply facility. From Golmud Railway Station and Lhasa, the facility will be working for supplying oxygen for the passengers of every cabins.
Oxygen Supply on the Train to Tibet
For the barely permanent permafrost located at the section from Golmud to Lhasa, the technologists have used the modern technology to prevent the permafrost from melting: placing heat pipe and digging vents in the permafrost, and pumping oxygen into the permafrost. All those make sure the safe of the running train. So, do not worry! It is the safest way to Tibet by train.
Since the whole Qing-Tibet Railway was operated from July 1st, 2006, it successively has opened Beijing-Lhasa Train, Shanghai-Lhasa Train, Chengdu-Lhasa Train, Guangzhou-Lhasa Train and Chongqing-Lhasa Train. Whenever you plan to travel to Tibet, it is convenient by train. When in winter, there is a benefit: it is easy to get a train ticket for visitors, for the winter is not the peak season of Tibet for Chinese Visitors.
