The Gregorian calendar date of Tibetan New Year varies each year and does not necessarily fall on the same day as the Lunar New Year. When planning your trip, please refer to the Tibetan calendar and local event announcements published for that year.
Why does the date of Tibetan New Year change?
The Tibetan calendar combines lunar phases, solar terms, and traditional calendrical calculations to determine dates. Therefore, in some years, the Tibetan New Year falls on the same day as the Lunar New Year, while in others it differs by a day or almost a month. This article originally documented the special case of the Tibetan New Year falling on the same day for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. This information has now been preserved as historical data, and the page layout has been changed to include a long-term date and cultural guide.
What to confirm before traveling
Opening hours, transportation, accommodation prices, and celebrations during festivals may vary from year to year. Before departure, check official announcements or local cultural and tourism department notices for the current year and plan accordingly for transportation and accommodation. When entering temples or participating in family or community activities, confirm the appropriate etiquette for photography and visiting.
Historical records of the same day in 2018 and 2019
In 2018, Tibetan New Year and Chinese New Year fell on the same day, and many people chose to spend the New Year in Tibet. However, in 2019, Tibetan New Year and Chinese New Year also fell on the same day. Tibetan New Year is a traditional festival for the Tibetan people, starting on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar and lasting for fifteen days. The Tibetan New Year and the Lunar New Year are generally separated by three dates: the same day, one day apart, or one month apart. Every year, people consult the Tibetan Astronomical and Meteorological Almanac to determine the date of Tibetan New Year. This almanac is used to plan agricultural activities, festival celebrations, weddings, funerals, and other daily affairs; it is an essential reference book for Tibetan households.
In fact, the annual almanac is compiled by experts from the Astronomical and Calendar Research Institute of the Tibetan Medicine Hospital of the Tibet Autonomous Region the year before. The 2019 almanac has been completed and is being printed. According to astronomical and calendar expert Danzeng, the Tibetan New Year and the Lunar New Year in 2019 happened to fall on the same day, which is February 5, 2019 in the Gregorian calendar. However, it is rare for two consecutive years for the same day to fall on the same day; 2018 and 2019 were exactly two years in a row. The Tibetan New Year was officially adopted in 1027 AD. "The determination of the Tibetan New Year is closely related to the use of the Tibetan calendar. The Tibetan New Year was officially adopted in 1027 AD and has been used ever since," said the astronomical and calendar expert.
