January presents an opportune time for traveling to Tibet. While mountain trekking might be challenged by the cold, the city's daily weather is not too cold due to the abundant sunlight, creating ideal conditions for sightseeing. January also offers quieter attractions and better prices.
Weather: In January, temperatures drop well below freezing at night in almost all of Tibet. During the day, it may feel nicely cool in Lhasa and even at such high places as Yamdrok Lake. It is dry, cold, and sunny generally.
Tibet's severe winter weather is at its peak in January. It is quite windy, so there is added wind chill. Snow sometimes blocks the roads to attractions outside Lhasa in the north and west.
Lhasa is where most tourists arrive, and it is also one of the lowest Tibetan valleys that most tourists see. The average nightly low is -9 °C (15 °F), and the average daily high is 8 °C (46 °F). The 3,600 meters (12,000 feet) elevation and the 8 hours of sunshine a day might make it feel pleasant outside. Only 1 mm of snowfall generally falls on 1 day of the month usually.
Clothing: For the temperature extremes due to changing altitudes and the nightly temperature drop, dress in layers with a coat, trousers, and long underwear. The UV radiation is intense, so a sun hat and sunglasses help. Many hotels and restaurants don't have central heating, so you might need to wear your coat even inside. Wear a heavy coat and gloves in the higher areas.
Altitude Sickness: Oxygen levels are much lower in Tibet. Many health issues are exacerbated, and most people experience altitude sickness. Seek health advice before going for the best experience, and acclimate before exertion or going higher than Lhasa. Tibet health suggestions>>
Tibet January Weather Data Graphs
Things to Do in Tibet in January
Tashilunpo in ShigatseTibet travel: The Nagchu prefecture north of Lhasa and the Ngari prefecture (Kailash area) in far west Tibet are extremely cold in the winter and are probably best visited at other times. Vehicular travel along the Friendship Highway to the southern border is generally possible.
Sightsee the South along the Friendship Highway
Shigatse (3,900 meters): Shigatse is the second largest city west of Lhasa about six hours west of Lhasa. The highlights in Shigatse include Tashilhunpo. In January, the average high temperature is 6 °C (42 °F), and the average nightly low is -13 °C (9 °F).
Tashilhunpo Monastery: This big ancient monastery in Shigatse was founded in 1447. It sits against a rugged grey high mountain that makes for beautiful photographs against a blue and white sky. It was once a town of 5,000 monks.
Tibetan New Year DancersExperience Tibetan New Year (Losar)
Losar: Across Tibet, depending on the year, you might see Tibetans celebrating their new year holidays according to their calendar at the temples and in the towns. Tibetans have their own traditional new year holiday festivities and worship. Their new year day is often within three days of the Chinese New Year, but on some years, it is weeks off.
The Losar holidays are a colorful week of activities beginning the Monlan Festival and ending on the night of the full moon with the Butterlamp Festival. Tibetans enjoy ancient dramas, feasts, and traditional sports such as racing horses and wrestling. It is their most important religious holiday season.
Enjoy Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the biggest national holiday. It falls in January about a third of the years. Chinese traditionally close shop and take a several day vacation starting from the evening of Chinese New Year's eve. You can enjoy the holiday food.
Touring Tibet in January：Important Travel Tips and Popular Tours
Low Travel Season
Tangula Mountain from the Lhasa–Xining TrainThere are good reasons to visit Tibet in January. The cold and the desire to return home to visit during the Chinese New Year keeps most Chinese travelers away in January. Even during the Chinese New Year, there is only a small increase of Chinese tourism.
You'll have a more authentic Tibetan experience. Tibetan drokpas (nomads) come down to shelter in the winter, and Tibetans head for their temples to worship. Moreover, the prices for Lhasa hotel rooms, Shigatse hotel rooms and flight tickets are relatively low. Train tickets are easier to get. Let us help you arrange these by our experience.
Recommended Tibet Tours
If you are planning a Tibet tour, please see our popular Tibet tours below for inspiration:
- 7-Day Himalayan Train to Lhasa and Highlights Tour: Many tourists will enjoy this high altitude train trip from Xining to Lhasa. You'll acclimate as you rest and see the view from the windows, and then you'll enjoy a tour of the highlights in Lhasa.
- For a Tibet tours, or a tailor-made Tibet/China tour, please do not hesitate to tell us your interests and requirements.