Hello knowledgeable people,
I'm looking for a bit of information and suggestion about travelling Tibet wintertime
I visited Lhasa two years ago and was fascinated by TIBET!!!!!
Now I think of going there again next December.
I read that Lhasa can be very interesting winter time but I'd like to visit some Tibet outside TAR.
Is it feaseble travelling outside TAR by public transport during winter? I don't like joining tours or hiring guides, not for long, anyway.
I know that Lhasa is not THAT cold. How is the situation elsewhere?
Would it be more sensible head to Lhasa and enjoy the atmosphere there?
Any suggestiom on where to go?
Losang???!!!??? are you around here????
soo-zee
2
soo-zee
sorry:
This is THE question.
Where would it be worth going in December outside the TAR?
MAybe it's a silly question, but I'm trying to make up my mind...
3
losang
Compared to many regions of Tibet, Lhasa is mild in the winter. The Tibetan prefectures outside of the TAR can be very cold. My favorite route is from Xining to Chengdu going through Mado (Maduo), Jyekundo (Yushu), Nangchen (Nangqian), Sershu (Shiqu), Manigango, Derge (Dege) and Kandze (Ganzi). Most of this region is between 80-100% Tibetan and is an excellent route to take. Places above 4000m like Mado (4400) and Shiqu (4100) will be very cold at night (-20 to -25C). If the sun is out, it won't be too bad during the day. The bright sun will make it feel much warmer than what it actually is. The best time to visit Lhasa is in the winter (in my opinion), but these other regions will give you a much better opportunity to see authentic Tibetan culture.
4
soo-zee
Thanks Losang!
Actually the idea of going to Lhasa wintertime came from your website =)
How difficult is travelling independently on the Xining-Chengdu route? (Although I must admit that -20° scares me off....)
I love you all, but as soon as I can I LEAVE!!!!!!
5
losang
Soo-zee...It is not difficult traveling the route...as long as the weather is good. There are buses connecting the route from Xining to Chengdu, but in some areas heavy snow occurs and roads can be closed for several days or even weeks. Nearly every winter the road between Xining and Mado or Jyekundo is closed at least once or twice. Last December I was driving (personal 4WD) from Mado to Xining and just barely made it to Xining before the highway was closed. There were cars off the road everywhere. Two winters ago the road from Jyekundo to Xining was closed for nearly 2 weeks because of heavy snow. Roads can also be closed going from Jyekundo to Sershu in northwest Sichuan province and going from Manigango to Dege.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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