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January weather in Tibet:
January is the coldest month in Tibet, with nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing in most areas. Lhasa and surrounding areas, such as Yamdrok Lake, are generally dry and cold during the day, but sunny. As the city with the most tourists in Tibet, Lhasa has a relatively low altitude. The average daytime high temperature in January is around 8°C. Nighttime temperatures plummet, with an average nighttime low of -9°C in January. In Shigatse, the average daytime high temperature in January is around 6°C, and the average nighttime low is -13°C. At Everest Base Camp, the nighttime low in January can reach -10 to -12°C, while the daytime high rarely exceeds 10°C. The Nagqu region north of Lhasa and the Ngari region (Mount Khun Pa-) in the west become extremely cold in winter and are not suitable for winter travel.
January Tibet Travel Guide:
In January, due to snowfall, roads from Lhasa to the north and west of Lhasa are sometimes closed. Namtso Lake is almost completely frozen in January. The Everest Base Camp has already closed this year and will reopen in the spring. These two places are popular tourist destinations, hence the special mention. In addition, Ngari and Nagqu are not suitable for tourism. Winter temperatures in Nagqu and Ngari are low, especially the mornings and evenings. Namtso Lake will be closed due to snowfall at the end of October, making it inaccessible. In winter, tourists generally visit Lhasa, Nyingchi, and Shannan, places suitable for tourism year-round. Nyingchi and Everest are popular winter tourist routes in Tibet, but winter in Tibet is sunny and warmer than many other parts of China, with many clear days, making it a good season to see glaciers and snow-capped mountains, such as the full view of Namcha Barwa, which is more easily seen in winter. Train tickets to Tibet in winter are not as scarce as during peak season, and the price of Potala Palace tickets drops back to 100 yuan in November. Moreover, no reservation is required, and you can enter and visit on the same day you buy a ticket.
What to wear in January:
Winter temperatures in Tibet are low in the mornings and evenings, and the climate is cold. It's essential to dress warmly when traveling to Tibet in winter; down jackets, windproof jackets, sweaters, and thermal underwear are recommended. The temperature difference between day and night in Tibet is significant. While the days are sunny and comfortable, the nights are bitterly cold, so bundled up is essential. Catching a cold in Tibet is relatively easy and can be quite troublesome, so please take good care of yourself.
Things to note when traveling to Tibet in January:
Winters in Tibet are quite dry, so it's essential to moisturize your skin. We recommend bringing lip balm, hand cream, body oil, and face cream. While in Tibet, drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruit. Unlike in other parts of China, you don't need to shower every day in Tibet during winter. Showering daily can easily lead to colds and also make your skin drier. So, apply moisturizer immediately after showering. In fact, even if you don't shower for several days, you'll still feel quite dry in Tibet.
One of the main reasons to visit Tibet in winter is to soak up the sun. However, while enjoying the warm sunshine, it's important to take precautions against sunburn. Before heading to Tibet, it's recommended to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and other sun protection items so you can confidently enjoy the warm Tibetan sun.
The oxygen content in Tibet is lower in winter than in summer, and the probability of altitude sickness is actually higher in winter than in summer. We need to take precautions against altitude sickness (in fact, altitude sickness prevention is important no matter when you travel to Tibet). Ten to fifteen days before traveling to Tibet, you can drink some Rhodiola rosea. If altitude sickness occurs, you can take Gao Yuan An (a traditional Chinese medicine for altitude sickness). Rhodiola rosea is mainly used to prevent altitude sickness, while Gao Yuan An is mainly used to treat it.
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