Tibet Winter Festival Photography Tours

Winter is the off-peak season for tourism in Tibet, making it an incredibly cost-effective destination as prices for scenic spot tickets, hotel accommodations, and transportation drop significantly. With fewer tourists around, you can leisurely explore popular attractions without the hassle of long queues, ensuring a more relaxed and immersive experience. This season also offers unparalleled views of snow-capped mountains, as clear visibility allows for unobstructed sightings; Mount Everest, for instance, reveals its majestic entirety against the crisp winter sky, providing perfect opportunities for capturing stunning panoramic photographs. Moreover, with over 70% of winter days featuring clear skies, Tibet enjoys abundant "golden hour" light—the optimal soft glow during sunrise and sunset that turns every photographer's dream into reality. Complemented by a rich array of traditional festivals, a winter journey to Tibet promises both breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultural encounters.

Winter Journey to the Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival

The Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival, held to commemorate the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Tsongkhapa, is a centuries-old tradition. Celebrated on the 25th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar, the festival falls on December 5th in 2025. On the evening of the festival, countless butter lamps are lit on the rooftops of monasteries and Tibetan people's homes. Every available step, windowsill, and rooftop around stupas and temple halls is adorned with a flickering butter lamp. Monks within the temples chant scriptures, paying their respects to Tsongkhapa. Outside, people cast large amounts of juniper branches and barley into the incense burners around the Jokhang Temple, filling the air with fragrant smoke to implore divine protection. The prayer paths bustle with pilgrims clutching prayer beads, while some carry butter lamps, embodying both reverence for the past and hope for the future. During Tibet's Butter Lamp Festival, monasteries of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism serve as the primary hubs for religious and cultural activities, which are are not mere architectural marvels but living classrooms where the essence of Tibetan spirituality unfolds right before your eyes.

Famous Gelug Sect Monasteries in Lhasa and Shigatse: Key Locations for the Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival

In Lhasa

Jokhang Temple

One of the core landmarks of Lhasa, the Jokhang Temple was founded in the 7th century and stands as a significant monastery of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Housing the revered statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, it is considered a sacred site for Tibetan Buddhists, drawing countless pilgrims and tourists annually.

Drepung Monastery

As one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug sect, Drepung Monastery was once the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the world, with over ten thousand monks at its peak.

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery, another jewel among the six great Gelug sect monasteries, has earned fame for its lively afternoon debates—where lamas passionately dissect Buddhist philosophy. Visitors can get up close and experience the scholarly atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery also holds a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures and cultural relics.

Ganden Monastery

Founded by the great Tsongkhapa himself, Ganden is the mother monastery of the Gelug sect. Located in the Dazha District of Lhasa, it preserves Tsongkhapa's stupa and many precious religious artifacts, holding an exalted position within the Gelug tradition.

In Shigatse

Tashilhunpo Monastery

A landmark monastery in Shigatse and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug sect, Tashilhunpo is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Its majestic architecture includes the world's largest copper Buddha statue, the 26.2-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship.

Kumbum Monastery

It's a unique Tibetan Buddhist monastery where the Sakya, Kadam, and Gelug sects coexist. Renowned for its "One Hundred Thousand Buddha Pagoda," the pagoda houses 100,000 Buddha statues within its structure.

Recommended Tibet Winter Tours for the Tibetan Butter Lamp Festival

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour

10 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and Namtso Lake Tour

6 Days Lhasa and Shigatse Tour

Winter Journey to the Tibetan New Year Festival

The Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar, falls on February 18th, 2026. This festive period is marked by a rich array of grand religious and cultural activities both before and after the main day. Losar is not only a time for Tibetan people to convey their New Year greetings and best wishes but also a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The celebrations reflect the Tibetan people's high expectations for the New Year and their passion for life. Tibetan people engage in a series of religious rituals, such as prayers for blessings and exorcism ceremonies, to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune. In addition to these spiritual practices, the festivities include traditional entertainment activities like horse racing, tug-of-war, and Guozhuang dance, which bring communities together in joy and celebration. These events not only showcase the unique charm of Tibetan culture but also demonstrate the vibrant spirit of modern Tibet.

Lhasa City: The Hottest and Most Festive Place for Tibetan New Year

If you're looking to experience the Tibetan New Year to the best, Lhasa is the place to be. The Jokhang Temple Square and surrounding Barkhor Street are the heart of the celebrations, where devotees holding prayer wheels circumambulate clockwise, creating a sacred atmosphere filled with the scent of juniper incense and the murmur of sutras. The Potala Palace hosts grand events like the display of a giant Thangka and a mesmerizing light show that illuminates the night sky. Norbulingka offers traditional Tibetan opera performances, while Longwangtan Park is the venue for lively Guozhuang dance gatherings.

Recommended Tibet Winter Tours for the Tibetan New Year Festival

4 Days Lhasa City Tour

5 Day Lhasa and Yamdrok Lake Tour

6 Days Lhasa and Lake Namtso Tour

Conclusion

Whether permits, flights, or local insights, our agency offers expert advice. Contact us for stress-free planning!