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Although
Tibet may be visited easily year-round, Dec-Feb remain
the off season due to cold, dry weather. Coordinating
trips with festival dates is a popular practice so the
current information is provided below. These are just
a sampling of many local events.
Climate
Basically, the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many
people imagine it to be. The best time of year to be
in Tibet is from April to the beginning of November,
after which temperatures start to plummet.
The
central Tibet, including Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and
Tsedang, generally has very mild weather from April
to November, though July and August can be rainy - these
two months usually see around half of Tibet's annual
rainfall.
October
and November often bring some dazzling clear weather
and daytime temperatures can be quite comfortable at
Tibet's lower altitude.
The
coldest months are from December to February. It is
not impossible to visit Tibet in winter. The low altitude
valleys of Tibet (around Lhasa, Shigatse and Tsedang)
see very little snow.
Spring
does not really get under way until April, though March
can have warm sunny days and is not necessarily a bad
month to be in Tibet. More specific information in different
areas:
Lhasa
- the border of Nepal/China: The
Friendship highway is basically in good conditions year
around. But from December to February, the thawed road
could make some trouble Besides, try to avoid August
- landslide could happen in the rainy season.
Mt.
Everest Region:
Early May and early October are the best time to visit
Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great
chance to see Mt. Everest's true face. From December
to February, it's too cold to go to this region. But
the magnetism of Mt. Everest always attracts people
anytime of the year.
Ali
(Mt.Kailash):
Even without climate restrictions, this area is already
inhospitable. Big rain and snow could make the journey
worse. However, for those determined tourists, the appropriate
time is May, June, July, September and October.
Eastern
Tibet:
Don't touch this area in July or August, the
rain could ruin the road, and make terrible landslides.
While in winter, the road could be frozen.
Northern
Tibet: With
the average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers very
limited time for tourists. Summer is the prime time
to enjoy the great plain in northern Tibet.
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Festival
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2003
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2004
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Details
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| Tibetan
New Year |
Mar
03
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Feb
21
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The
greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times, when
the peach trees were in blossom, it was considered
the start of a new year. Since the systematization
of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 AD, the first day
of the first month became fixed as the new year.
On the New Year’s day, families unite, an "auspicious
dipper" is offered, and the auspicious words "tashi
delek" are greeted. |
| Great
Prayer Festival |
|
|
The
greatest religious festival in Tibet. Instituted
by Tsongkapa in 1409, the founder of the Gelukpa
Sect. Monks from the Three Great Monasteries of
Tibet assemble in Jorkhang for pray to Shakyamuni’s
image as if it were the living Buddha. Philosophical
debates are held among candidates for the Doctorate
of Metaphysics. Pilgrims come from every corner
of Tibet and donations are offered to monks. |
| Butter
Lamp Festival |
Mar
18
|
Mar
06
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The
last day of the Great Prayer Festival. In order
to celebrate Shakyamuni’s victory over non–Buddhist
opponents, the Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted patron
of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter–lamps
in 1409. The festival flourished since. |
| Gyantse
Horse Race and Archery |
June
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June
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Horse
race and archery are generally popular in Tibet,
and Gyantse enjoys prestige of being the earliest
in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early
times included horse races, archery, and shooting
on galloping horse-back followed by a few days’
entertainment or picnicking. Presently, ball games,
track and field events, folk songs and dances, and
barter trade are additions to the above. |
| The
World Incense Day(Saga Dawa) |
June
14
|
June
03
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Gods
in heaven are believed to descend to the mortal
world on this day. Incense is burnt in large scales
and picnicking is done in public parks. |
| Six—Four
Festival |
July
24
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July
24
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Believed
the day Buddha gave his first sermon. People celebrate
the festival by paying visits to holy mountains.
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| Shoton
Festival See Photo Above |
Aug
27-Sep 03
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Aug
15-22
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The
Opera Festival and the greatest of festivals in
Tibet. In ancient times, pious folks went into mountain
hermitages to do penance. The last day, yogurt was
served as meal followed by folk song and dance entertainment.
Since the 7th century, opera performances were held
for days in Norbulingka. Presently, opera contests
and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.
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| Bathing
Week |
Sep
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Sep
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Believed
when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky.
The water in the river becomes purest and can cure
diseases. During its appearance for one week in
the sky, all townspeople in Lhasa go into the river
for bathing. |
| Death
of Tsongkapa |
Dec
25
|
Dec25
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Tsongkapa,
the great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and founder
of the Gelugpa Sect, died on this day in 1419. In
memory of that day, every household burns countless
butter-lamps on roof–tops and chant prayers in his
honor. Late in the evening Tibetan dumplings are
served for supper. |
| Driving
Off Evil Spirits |
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At
the eve of Tibetan New Year, 29th of the twelfth
month, religious dances are performed in monasteries
for driving off of evil spirits of the past year.
At night, in every household, traditional means
of driving off evil spirits are carried out by burning
bundles of straw and throwing rubbish in the crossroads.
The Year–End Dumpling is served for supper. |
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