Tibet offers winter deals to visitors

The average occupancy rates of major hotels in places like Lhasa and Nyingchi exceeded 50 percent during the first four months of this year.

A new draw to the region is the Luxury Wild Tibet program that features plateau hiking, camping and rafting. The program is developed by China's biggest online travel agency, Ctrip, and Tibet's tourism commission. Routes cover Tibet's Basum Lake scenic area, the Himalayas and the region's southeastern swath.

The region hosts towering mountains, myriad lakes and magnificent glaciers, making it ideal for outdoorsy types. Its biodiversity also appeals to nature lovers.

Indeed, the new policies seem likely to encourage a growing number of visitors to discover Tibet's natural winter appeal.