The Tibetan Plateau, which lies in the rain shadows of the Himalayas, is aptly renowned as the “Roof of the World.” Located at the southwest frontier of China with a vase land of more than 1.2 million square kilometers, the Tibet autonomous region lies at an elevation of an average of 4,500 meters from the sea level. Due to the harsh and rugged terrain and a relatively hard way of life, the Autonomous Region of Tibet has the lowest population density among the Chinese provinces. The ethnic Tibetan comprises of 92.8% of the total population and the majority of the 2.91 million ethnic Tibetan follow Buddhism. The other religions practiced in Tibet are Bon, ethnic Tibetan or animalism and Islam among others.

The beautiful and rugged landscape, the lush green valleys, the glimpse of the civilization that dates back to antiquity, the still preserved unique culture, tradition, and religion of the people, the ancient trade routes and above all the hospitability of the simple Tibetan people make Tibet one of the most marvelous, and memorable travel destination in the world today. Though Tibet was closed to the world from 1950 after the invasion of China, tourists have been allowed back in since the 1980’s and today boasts as one of the hottest travel destinations.

Fact about Tibet

• Administration type: Autonomous region of China
• Traditional Capital of Tibet and biggest city : Lhasa
• Latitude: 27 degree 18 minute to 36 degree 29 minute North
• Longitude: 78 degree 55 minute to 99 degree 07 minute
• Area: 4,71,700 square miles (12,21,600 square kilometer)
• Highest Point: 8013m, Mt. Shisapangma (8,850m, Mt. Everest, Tibet shares the border with Nepal.)
• Population: approximately 29,47,692 (2011)
• Currency: Yuan (CNY)
• Language: Tibetan and Chinese. English (very little)
• Ruler: From 1912 to 1950 Tibet was ruled by Dalai Lama who fled to India in 1959 after the Chinese occupation. Now, Chairman of the government of Tibet Autonomous Region of China is Padma Choling.
• Exchange rate: American Dollar ( US $) 1 =Yuan (CNY) 6.5 (at current rate)
• UNESCO Heritage Sites:

The Autonomous Region of Tibet is divided in two parts:

1. The Lake Region
2. The River Region

1. The Lake Region

Lying in the arid and windswept desert the Lake Region of Tibet extends from the Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh, India to Lake Mansarowar, Lake Rakshastal and Lake Yamdrok in Tibet. The arid climate and high elevation sustained only nomadic culture and you can still see that old culture preserved to this day. The crystal clear glacial lakes in the region has sustained human civilizations in the region for thousands of years and are still considered a holy place among the many religions of the region.

2. The River Region

The upper courses of Brahmaputra and its major tributaries, the Nyang River, the Yangtse, the Salween, and the Mekong River commonly known as the Yellow River in China, creates the fertile mountain valleys of the River Region. Originating from the glacial lakes of the Lake Region, the rivers create the lush green fertile valleys that are the only cultivable land and a sharp contrast to the rugged and harsh landscape. The ancient city of Lhasa, Gyantse, and Shigatse were first established in these fertile river valleys which are devoid of permafrost and well irrigated and richly cultivated. The fast mountain river rapids cut the deepest and probably the longest canyon in the world, the Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon.

Tibet Tour Packages