Tibet
Known as the “Roof of the World”, the Tibet Autonomous Region is located in the southwestern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, bordering Xinjiang, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan, with an average altitude of more than 4000 meters. As an important gateway to the southwestern border of China, Tibet has a vast territory, spectacular landforms, and rich resources, and is both famous for the magical and magnificent natural scenery and rich and splendid national culture.
ABC’s of Tibet
Area: 1 221 600 km2
Average annual temperature: 18 degrees
Geography: Agricultural region located at the extreme west of China and bordering Bhutan, Nepal, India and Pakistan
Population: 343820 0 inhabitants (2018)
Altitude: 4900 m
Ethnic minorities: Tibetan, Han
Economy: Mining, livestock, timber, tourism
Tibet Top Attractions
The climate in the south and north in Tibet is utterly different. The southern Tibetan valley is affected by the warm and humid airflow in the Indian Ocean, and it is mild and rainy. The northern Tibetan plateau has a typical continental climate with a freezing period of up to six months. In terms of climate, it is more appropriate to travel to Tibet from March to October, of which June to September is the best season but avoid the summer holiday of July and August.
Temperatures and precipitation of Tibet
“Mythical Age” of Tibetan History
The historical records at this stage were circulated in the form of myths and legends. It is said that NieChizanpu, who descended from the sky (the son of the god), is the first leader of the Tubo State. (It is estimated that its survival time is about 127 BC, about the same period as Emperor Wudi.)
Tubo Dynasty, the “era of empire” created by Songzanganbu
Songzanganbu was the founding king of the Tubo Dynasty. After moving to Lhasa, he carried out a series of political, military, and cultural reforms of the Tubo Dynasty such as imitated the Tang Dynasty to establish the rank of officials, unified measuring instruments, and created Tibetan. Since then, Tubo has truly become a powerful military empire.
The Product of the “Separatist Era” – the Sect of Tibetan Buddhism
Since the collapse of the Tubo Dynasty, Tibetan history has entered 400 years of separatism. The most important legacy left behind by this broken political structure is that in a very short period, there have been many religious factions. After Buddhism entered Tibet, there were no denominations for hundreds of years.
“The Age of Sect Domination” in Tibetan History
After Zhu established the Ming Dynasty, he changed the policy of the Domination of Sakya before the Yuan empire and began to implement the policy of “multiple conferring and multiple congregations”. Thus, the so-called “Tibet Eight Kings” is the ultimate embodiment of this policy.
After the establishment of the Qing dynasty in Tibet, the Gelug faction began to dominate the local affairs of Tibet and determined the four living Buddha systems-Dalai, Banchan, Zhangjia, and Zhebuzundanba.
In 1951, Tibet was peacefully liberated. In 1965, the Tibet Autonomous Region was formally announced. By the end of 2019, Tibet has eliminated absolute poverty, and the whole region has achieved overall poverty alleviation.
The religions in Tibet are mainly composed of Bonism, Tibetan Buddhism, and folk religions, and besides, there are Islam and Catholicism.
- Beef
- Mutton
- Tsampa: Tsampa is the staple food in Tibet
- Momo: stuffed ravioli
- Sweet rice with butter and dried fruit topped with yogurt
- Rice pudding with fresh yak or cow cheese, or yogurt
- Buttered tea
- The “Chang”: Beer made from barley
- The “Changkhoel”: Hot Chang which has been mixed with Tsampa and cheese
Trips and Tours Ideas in Tibet
Yunnan and Tibet Tour
17 days | Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Lhasa, and Shigatse
A travel plan includes the most stunning places of northern Yunnan and the religious and cultural highlights of mysterious Tibet.
Yunnan and Tibet Combined Tour
19 days | Kunming, Dali,Lijiang, Shangri-La, Lhasa, and Shigatse | Prices start from 1,833 $
A travel plan includes the famous historical places of northern Yunnan and the religious and cultural highlights of central Tibet.