Published by: World Tibet Network News, 96/04/01 23;00 GMT
LHASA (April 2) XINHUA - It is the popular view that the best time to tour Tibet is May and October, but a local meteorologist said that tourists eager to see Tibet can set out now in April.
The highland area is taken as the "third pole of the earth", and the plateau scenery has been attracting flocks of tourists, who, however, hold the view that the weather there will not be fit for touring until May.
"In fact, there has long been a misunderstanding about this," said Deng Chuanyou, a senior engineer with the Tibet Autonomous Regional Meteorological Bureau.
Deng has been engaged in studying the relations between tourism and meteorology in Tibet for years.
"From the point of view of tourism, we should say that the best time starts in April," he said.
Deng's studies mainly focused on the so-called "golden tourism route from Nyalam (or Zham port)" bordering Nepal to this capital of the region, along which there are subtropical jungles and forests, snow-covered Qomolangma which is the highest peak in the world, the Zhaxi Lhunbo Temple in Xigaze City with solemn palaces and golden roofs, the lofty Potala Palace, among other scenic spots and ethnic attractions.
"When people decide to make a tour of Tibet they expect favorable weather. But tourism and meteorological experts did not conduct thorough researches about weather conditions along this route in the past," Deng said.
After years of study Deng found out that after a long winter, warm spring weather starts in April, and the highest temperatures are in July and August. Winter starts in Tibet in October.
Between April and October, the monthly average temperatures are good for travel. There is a slight wind most of the day, and precipitation is concentrated in July and August, he said.
At the same time, the meteorologist noted that most parts of Tibet are located some 4,000 m above sea level or higher, where it is cold and the winter months are long, featuring strong sunlight. Temperatures change moderately around the year but can change considerably in a single day.
