Tibet Autonomous Region

Geography of Tibet
Situated in the southwest frontier of China, Tibet Autonomous Region covers a total area of 1,220,000 square kilometres with population of 2,620,000 (2006). Standing in the southern part of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the whole autonomous region overwhelmingly comprises mountain range with an average elevation of over 4,000 meters above sea level. With an average of over 4,500 meters above sea level the North Tibetan Plateau occupies two- thirds of the whole range. Basins Are surrounded by hills ranging from 300 to 500 metres high, south of the North Tibetan Plateau, lying between Mountain Kailash (Gangdise) and the Himalayas, stretches the valley of Tsangpo(Yarlung Zangbo) River and its tributaries, commonly known as South Tibetan Valley.

Tibet Location

This valley, 4,000 metres above sea level, slops down from west to
east with Lhasa River Valley plain as its widest section. From
southern edge to China-Nepal border where Mount Qomolangms stands upright,8848 meters above sea level, lies the Himalayas whose elevation average 6,000 meters above sea level. To the east is the north range of the famous Hengduan Mountains, known as East Tibetan Gully Area. Its north section, 5,200 metres above sea level, is flat on the top; whereas its south part, 4000 metres above sea level, abruptly falls down 2,500 meters from the top to the bottom.

The Tsangpo River, the largest in Tibet, whose upper reaches called Tachog Khabab (Maquan River), gets water from Jiema Yangzong glacier in the Himalayas, and stretches 2,057 kilometres before it flows into India, where it is called the Brahmaputra River. Other large rivers such as the Nujiang River, the Lancang River and the Jinsha River are all full of deep falls and rapids and Tibet abounds in water resources.

The Namtso (Namco) Lake in North Tibetan Plateau is the second largest salt water lake in China, covering an area of 1,920 square kilometres. The Kyiring Tso (Siling Co) Lake covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres. In addition, there are the Yardak Yumtso (Yarzhoyum Co) Lake, Puma Yumtso Lake and Mapham Yumtso Lake. These lakes all have a great influence on Tibetans' livelihood.

Tibet Climate
Tibet as a whole has plateau climate----low temperature, scanty
rainfall, thin air and plentiful sunshine. As a result of monsoon
blowing in from India, the southern Tibet is warmer and more humid. Its average annual temperature is between -3ºC and 12ºC (26.6 ºF and 53.6 ºF). In January, the temperature remains between -18ºC and 3.6ºC (-0.4 ºF and 38.48 ºF) and between 7ºC and 19ºC (44.6 ºF and 66.2 ºF) in July. Tibet is one of those areas in China that get longest time of sunshine everyday. Lhasa and Shigats (Xigatse) both enjoy the fame of the "City of Sunlight".

Brief History of Tibet
In ancient times, Tibet was known as Qiang or Rong and called Turpan in the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1280) Dynasties. In the Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties, Tibet was under the jurisdiction of the China central government. Tibet was divided into U, Tsang, Kham and Ngari in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The present name, Tibet, appeared in 1663. Tibet Autonomous Region was set up on September 9, 1956 after the Communist Party established People's Republic of China in 1949.

Tibet Native products
Agriculture is well-developed in south-eastern Tibet thanks to large
rainfall, warm weather and forests. Millet, wheat, peas are the main
produce. Rice, sugar cane and bananas are grown in Loyul district.
Vegetable production has become more spread-over and experiments of planting tobacco, tea business and sugar beets have shown remarkable results. In animal husbandry areas, flocks of yaks, sheep and goats look for their food everywhere. Snow leopards, bears and antelopes peer through thick foliages.

Such precious herbs as musk, deer antlers, caterpillars and bulb of
fritillary are produced. Deposits of coal, iron, copper, borax, and
placer, natural alkaline and salt have been opened up. In addition to
Tibet's traditional handicrafts is Tibetan tweed and incense. Tibet
has established industries such as electricity, wooden textile,
chemistry, paper making, matches and construction material. Tibet is rich in terrestrial heat. Fruits include peaches, pears, apricots and apples. Lake teem with fish of many kinds.
 

Tibet Tourist Attraction and Places of Interests

Potala Palace, Lhasa

THE JOKHANG TEMPLE 
The magnificent Jokhang Temple, founded more than 1,300 years ago, is situated in the center of Lhasa. In front of the gate stands a stone tablet from the Tang Dynasty, bearing both Chinese characters and Tibetan script. Nearby is the Tang willow tree planted by Princess Wen Cheng. 

DREPUNG MONASTERY 
Another famous building in Lhasa is the Drepung Monastery located six miles north of the city. Standing on a high cliff, its many tiers leaning into a steep mountain face, the monastery is built in traditional Tibetan style. Founded in 1416, it was one of the centers of the "yellow hat" sect, and in its time was the largest of the three great monasteries near Lhasa, housing 10,000 lamas. The temples of the monastery are lavishly decorated with statues of the Buddha, Zongkaba, and others of the Buddhist pantheon. The monastery is still open to worshippers. 

MOUNT QOMOLANGMA 
Mount Qomolangma, meaning "goddess the third" in the Tibetan language, or Mt. Everest as known in the West, is the world's highest peak, more than 39,000 feet high. 

It is everybody's wish to see the world's highest peak, of course, but it is best to admire it from afar, and leave the climbing to the mountaineers. 

NGARI REGION
Ngari (It has different ways of transliteration, such as mNgac-ris and Ali, etc) a miraculous district in the west of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, is called "the ridge on the roof of the world".  (Click for more about Ngari Region)

Tibet Related Reports and Links

• Tibet's Repa dance: Oriental Gypsy dance (Xinhua)
• China's Tibet sees record number of tourists this year: total included 152,077 travelers from abroad, a growth of 168.8 percent over the same period of last year, and 5.12 million domestic tourists, up 154 percent. (Xinhua, 2009-11)
• Tourism official dismisses ban on foreign tourists' travel to Tibet
• China shuts Tibet to foreigners before anniversary
• Lhasa to build 1st tourist information, service center
• Tibet photo exhibition opens in Montreal (April 27, 2009)
• Some tourist spots in Tibet's Shannan open for free during May Day holiday
• Foreigners make up ten percent of visitors to Tibet (Xinhua April 20, 2009)
• China Closes Tibet To Travelers - Feb. 21, 2009, Gadling.com
• Traveling in Tibet - Beijing Review
• Tibet to fund 25 mln yuan per year for culture industry - Xinhua News
• Tourism in Tibet canyon increases-Xinhua
• A face-lift for Potala Palace

19 US Army Generals Visit Tibet
Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2006 - A group of 19 US Army generals wound up a two-day visit in the Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China,and left on Monday aboard a special flight, heading for Beijing, the Chinese national capital. The delegation, which arrived in Lhasa, the autonomous regionalcapital, on Sunday afternoon, is headed by retired General Morgan Thomas, who is senior advisor of the National Defense University of the United States. These generals are attending an academic course at the US National Defense University. During their stay, the American visitors were informed of political, economic and cultural progress in Tibet, by local government officials and officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The visitors were surprised at what they witnessed in Tibet. Retired General Morgan Thomas said Tibet was not as poor as they had thought before the visit. Tibet had developed as fast as elsewhere in China and, meanwhile, its unique history and civilization are so attractive to them, said the retired general.

Qomolangma (Mount Everest) Remeasured: 8,844.43m
China Internet Info Center Oct. 9, 2005 - The State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (SBSM) announced in Beijing today its new measurement of Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, as 8,844.43 meters above sea level. China.org.cn, translated by Li Shen and Liu Yuming,  (Click for full story)

Tibet to Have One More Airport
Xinhua News, Aug. 17, 2005 - China will build an airport in Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, a regional government official said here Tuesday. The project is part of the nation's development plan for the next five years, said Yan Shijin, deputy director of the regional development and reform commission. (click for full story)

Revamped Potala Palace Square Opens in Mid-July
China.org.cn July 7, 2005 - The Potala Palace Square expansion and renovation project in Lhasa, Tibet, has entered its final stage. It should be completed by mid-July in time for celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region on September 1... (click for full coverage)

Walk on the Roof of the World
Shenzhen Daily, May 18, 2005 - Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region is a place where most travelers start their Tibet-trip since it is easier and more convenient to reach. The city sits at an altitude of 3,650 meters and has a history for more than 1,300 years. As 300 days out of 365 enjoy sunlight, Lhasa is referred to the "Sunshine City" and it is dry in most months. (full coverage)

Kekexili uninhabited zone to open to tourists
Chinanews.cn, June 1, 2005 - Kekexili uninhabited zone, a "forbidden zone for tourists" which is famous for its naturral view and primitive ecological environment, will be open to tourists for the first time soon.WIth this in-depth travel to Kekexili named "Enter Kekexili and Protect the Green River Source" tourists will have a change to go deep inside the Kekexili uninhabited zone by 4WD jeep and visit the rare and precious wildlife such as chiru... (full coverage)

Train to Link Tibet; Luxury Service, Butlers Aavailable

Shanghai Daily Dec. 13, 2005 - Local travelers will soon be able to take a pressurized train to Tibet, for about half the price of flying to the elevated region. The express line, which will take more than two days to travel from Shanghai to Lhasa, will go into operation next July. The train will stop at several famous sightseeing spots along the route, such as Qinghai Lake, Hol Xil, Kun Lun Mountain and the Potala Palace. When the line opens, it will link Tibet with Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xining and Lanzhou, according to Hu Yadong, vice director of the Ministry of Railway. The trip from Shanghai will take about 53 hours, and cost more than 1,000 yuan (US$123). The line will apply the most advanced trains in China, which are equipped with oxygen supply devices for the high altitude as about 960 kilometers of track along the Qinghai-Tibet section of the line are 4,000 meters above sea level. All of the carriages on the train will be pressurized, similar to an airplane's cabin, to prevent passengers from suffering headaches or rapid heart beats at the high altitude. It will only cost half as much to travel to Tibet by train, said You Yong of the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Shanghai. Currently, a six-day tour of Tibet costs about 7,000 yuan, with the return air fare costing 3,000 yuan alone. "Now the whole tour will only be around 3,000 yuan if tourists take the train," said You. Foreign travelers are welcome on the train, but they must first get a permit to enter Tibet, according to You. The permits cost US$500 each. Travelers from Tibet also need permits, while those from Hong Kong and Macau can enter Tibet by showing their passports. Some travel agencies in the city wonder if the amount of time needed to travel to Tibet and back by train will limit the number of people interested in the trip. "The entire trip will extend to about 10 days," said Qin Long, a spokesperson from China International Travel. "Tourists from Shanghai might not want to spend so much time on the train." In addition to the ordinary travel package, China's first luxury train service will start between Beijing and Tibet in the first half of 2007, the Shanghai-based service operator said yesterday. RailPartners, a unit of hospitality and leisure company TZG Partners, has signed an agreement with Qinghai-Tibet Railway Co, a company under the Ministry of Railways, to form a joint venture to operate the service. The trip, which costs US$1,000 a night on the train, includes a luxury suit, in-room dining, butler service, and massage, the company said. Each train will accommodate 100 passengers in suites featuring king-sized beds, baths and showers.

Tibetan Tourism Welcomes Its Golden Season
Chinanews.cn Aug. 4, 2005 - From August to October each year, Tibet has the most pleasant climate and the highest percentage of oxygen, making it the best season for travel.Reporter learned from Southwest Airlines that, in order to satisfy travelers' demand of traveling to Tibet, made a prompt new arrangement on the capacity, increasing sharply the capacity of routes to Lhasa.(Click for full coverage)

Revamped Potala Palace Square Opens in Mid-July
China.org.cn July 7, 2005 - The Potala Palace Square expansion and renovation project in Lhasa, Tibet, has entered its final stage. It should be completed by mid-July in time for celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region on September 1... (click for full coverage)