Travel to Tibet is a dream for many people from all over the world, as it always the top key attraction for tourists. Tibet lies on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the southwest border of China. The average height of the whole region is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, for which Tibet is known as “Roof of the World“. The highest peak of Tibet, also the highest in Himalayas and in the whole world, is Everest Peak, which is as high as 8,848 meters above sea level.
Geographically, Tibet can be divided into three major parts, the east, north and south. The eastern part is forest region, occupying approximately one-fourth of the land. Virgin forests run the entire breadth and length of this part of Tibet. The northern part is open grassland, where nomads and yak and sheep dwell here. This part occupies approximately half of Tibet. The southern and central part is agricultural region, occupying about one-fourth of Tibet’s land area. With all major Tibetan cities and towns such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse ad Tsetang located in this area, it is considered the cultural center of tibet. The total area of the Tibet Autonomous Region is 1,200,000 square kilometers and its population is 1,890,000. The region is administratively divided into one municipality and six prefectures. The municipality is Lhasa, while the six prefectures are Shigatse, Ngari, Lhaoka, Chamdo, Nakchu and Nyingtri (kongpo). The People’s Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region exercises the highest administrative authority in Tibet.
For travelers, Tibet is without doubt one of the most remarkable places to visit in Asia. This spectacular land offer fabulous monastery sights, natural landscape, glorious history and culture, breathtaking high-altitude treks, stunning views of the world’s highest mountains and one of the most likeable peoples you will ever meet! With all of which Tibet has attracted more and more tourists from all over the world.
Facts of Tibet
Official Name: Xizang Zizhiqu
Short form: Xizang
International long form: Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)
International short form: Tibet
Etymological: the name Tibet is derived from the Sanskrit word Trivistapa which means “heaven.” Tibetans called their homeland Bod.
Location: Asia, north of India, located on the Tibetan Plateau, the world’s highest region.
Area: 1.2m sq km (471 700 sq miles), Bod: 2.5 million sq. km, approximately the size of Western Europe.
Terrain: 70% Grassland; from high plateau to tropical forest
Climate: Average temperture 28 degrees Celsius (Summer) -15 degrees Celsius (in Winter), extremely dry except during rainy season (July-August). Click here to know the best time to visit.
History of Tibet: Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. Tibet’s history can be diveded into four period: The Tsanpo’s Period, The period of Decentrailzation, The period of Sakya, Pagdu, and Karmapa’s Rule, and The period of the gandan Podrang’s Administration.
Population: 2.62 million
Ethnic Groups: Primarily ethnic Tibetans; Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, Hui and a growing number of Han Chinese.
Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Animism.
Culture: Wedding, Funeral
Languages: Tibetan, Chinese.
Festivals: Tibetan New Year, Shoton Festival, Bathing Festival.. Click to see more Fesitivals celebrated in Tibet.
Natural resources: Forests, wildlife, mineral resources, uranium (world’s largest uranium reserve), hydro-, geothermal energy.
Agriculture products: Livestock and livestock products.
Industries: Mining, wool spinning, carpets, forestry, food processing, printing, building materials and machinery, tourism.
Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)
Local Time = UTC +8h
Actual Time: Thu-Aug-25 15:35
Type of Government: Communist party-led state (People’s Republic of China)
The Tibet Autonomous Region was founded on 9 September 1965.
What to see in Tibet?
See temples and monasteries: Tibet is noted for the ‘Buddhist Kingdom of snow land’ for its over 1700 temples or monasteries, where about 40% people of the provincial population live there and most believe in Buddhism or Bon (Black) religion.
See the pilgrims: Many pious devotees who prostrate themselves on the roads when journey to Lhasa; some people rotating the prayer wheels and walk around the holy lakes, holy mountains, temples or along the Circumambulations.
See the local people: how to spend the Tibetan festivals from the religious or traditional festivals; you will know something about the Tibetan songs, Tibetan dances, Tibetan traditions, and Tibetan religions and so on during your Lhasa and Tibet tour.
See Tibetan architecture: As one of the most famous China’s ethnic architecture, many traditional Tibetan buildings are hitherto mysterious.
See the stunning mountains: Nearly all Tibetan mountains are snow-clad, and most can be climbed on. You can trip to the base camp of Mount Qomolangma (Mt. Everest Base Camps) to admire the world’s highest peak.
See the extensive grasslands: under the azure dotted with yaks and Tibetan antelopes, vultures circling high overhead. Experience the real life of the Tibetan herders when traverse the grassland of the north Tibet.
See the ‘No man’s land‘: Few people reside in the stripe between Naqu and Ali, where is endowed with the most attractive primitive natural landscape in our planet. Many animals frequently haunt there.
See the historic ruins: Tibet is rich in historic ruins, of which the most famous one is the Ruin of Von Guge. Located in the Tibet of Tibet-Ali area, it was once the site of the mystic Guge Kingdom.
See the valley of north Tibet: It is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. According to Chinese history, the first Tibet’s Kingdom–Tubo Kingdom was built there, in which the first farmland and the first palace of Tibetan still remained.
Visit the Grand Canyon of east Tibet: Rich in rainfall, forests and the minorities’ customs, this area is considered the heaven of Tibet. In the Grand Canyon area, you can see the Menba and Luoba people’s unique ways of life.
See the most sensational lakes and rivers in the world: There are many sacred lakes and breathtaking rivers can be found in Tibet: Lake Namtso, Lake Manasarovar, Lake Yumutso, Lake Basong, Brahmaputra River, Lhasa River, and Niyang River.