Tibet in winter[File photo/Baidu]

In 2011, Tibet’s tourism authorities officially launched a winter travel promotional campaign – its theme being "Enjoy Winter Sunshine in Tibet". From 2012 to date, tourists to Ngari Prefecture in Tibet totaled more than 80,000; in 2014 alone, the figure hit a historical high of 54,594, reported China Tibet News.

"Ngari Prefecture is home to a number of famous attractions such as Mount Kailas (or Gang Rinpoche), Mt. Nemonanyi, Lake Manasarovar and Pangong Tso Lake. These are major natural resources for winter travel in Ngari Prefecture. Next step we will work to attract more tourists to Ngari in winter," an official from Ngari Prefecture’s Tourism Bureau said.

The Tourism Bureau of Tibet launched the following seven tour routes and two special travel programs:

Route 1: Potala Palace → Norbulingka → Jokhang Temple → Barkor Street → Sera Monastery

Route 2: Lhasa → Nyemo → Shigatse (visit Tashilhunpo Monastery) → Sakya (visit Sakya Monastery) → View Mount Qomolangma→ Khangmar (visit anti-British historical sites – Shonang Monastery and Nenying Monastery) → Gyantse (visit Anti-British castle, Palkhor Chode Monastery and Pala Manor) → Kharola Glacier → Yardrok Yutso Lake → Lhasa

Route 3: Lhasa → Kala Mountain Tunnel → Mindroling Monastery → Langsailing Mansion → The widest point of Yarlung Tsangpo River → Yumbulagang → Lvzhu Monastery → Chongye → Samye Monastery →Chimpu → Samye Ferry → Mt. Drakyangzom →Dorjedrak Monastery → Lhasa

Route 4: Menling Airport → Bayi Township → Lulang → Pome →Galongla Tunnel → Metok

Route 5: The Seat of Markham County → Hongla Mountain → Lancangjiang River Grand Canyon → Chutsankha Hot Springs → Millennium-Old Salt Fields→ Catholic Church → Zhaguxi → Chidrong Township → Mangtso Lake →Bangdatsang → The Seat of Markham County

Route 6: Lhasa → Damxung → Koluk Town → Nagqu → Bangoin → Tsonyi → Nyima → Xainza → Nanmu Forest → Nyemo → Lhasa

Route 7: Sengye Khabap Town → Guge Kingdom Site → Khorchak Monastery → Mount Kailas (or Gang Rinpoche) → Mt. Nemonanyi → Lake Manasarovar → YLhanag-tso Lake → Pangong Tso Lake

Tibetan New Year Tour: the Tibetan New Year is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar. In the span of 15 days, you can join a local family to prepare and enjoy a big dinner and experience the warmth and hospitality of honest Tibetan people as well as their traditional festive atmosphere.

Honeymoon Tour: Tibet is a holy land for newlyweds.