Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Autonomous Region is located in the southwest of China between the east longitude 78'25 - 90'06 and the north latitude 26'50 - 36'53, bordering Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan internally, while neighboring India, Burma, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal meeting its external borders. Tibet covers a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers (470,920 square miles), which is about 12.8 % of the whole of China. With an average elevation of 4,000 meters, Tibet is known as the “Roof of the World”.
Surrounded by the Himalayas, the Kunlun Mountains and the Tanggula Range, the Tibet Autonomous Region forms the main part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The vast land is also the cradle of several great rivers such as the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Nu River (Salween), the Lancang River (Mekong), the Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Indus, and the Ganges. Tibet also offers awe-inspiring scenery of beautiful lakes and valleys. Over 1,500 lakes including Heavenly Lake Namtso and the holy Lake Manasarova make Tibet the plateau with largest amount of lakes.
Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. However, the written history only dates back to the 7th century when Songtsan Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king, sent his minister Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit who on his return invented the present Tibetan script based on Sanskrit.
Basically, the Tibetan climate is not as harsh as many people imagine it to be. The best time of year to be in Tibet is from April to the beginning of November. The central Tibet, including Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsedang, generally has very mild weather from April to November, though July and August can be rainy. Mt. Everest Region: Early May and early October are the best time to visit Mt. Everest. Due to the clear weather, you have great chance to see Mt. Everest's true face. From December to February, it's too cold to go to this region. But the magnetism of Mt. Everest always attracts people anytime of the year.
Tibet is the largest resident place in China for the Tibetan which accounts for 96% of the region's population. Other groups are Han, Hui, Mongolian, Monba, Lhoba, etc.
Tibet is rich in mineral resources such as chromium, borax, iron, lithium, gold, copper, gypsum, etc. Reserves of borax are the largest in China. Also, the region is one of the largest forest zones in China and its timber reserve is among the highest in the country.
Besides, the region's main crops include highland barley, wheat, broad beans, peas and rapeseed. Some Chinese medicinal herbs such as fritillary bulb and fungus are also famous.
The regional capital is Lhasa.
Lhasa is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is situated in the South Central part of the region, on the North bank of the Kyichu River in a mountain-fringed valley.
The city at an elevation of 3650 meters above sea level is the highest in the world. It is the region’s political, economic and cultural center as a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism.
Differing from the inland cities and other places in Tibet, Lhasa is unique with an allure all of its own. In the Tibetan language, Lhasa means the Holy Land or the Buddha Land. The city has also been appointed as one of the 24 historical and cultural cities of China.
There are many historic sites and famous relics in the city proper and its suburbs among which the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and Gandan Monastery are world famous. Most of the historical sights here date back to the 1600s when the magnificent Potala Palace was built. The Potala dominates the skyline but Jokhang is considered to be the spiritual center of the city and there are numerous other small active temples dotted about. Pilgrims still flock to Lhasa to see and experience the remaining enclaves of tradition that remain.
Generally the period from March to October is the best time to visit Tibet. Since Lhasa is located at such a high altitude it is wise to be prepared before starting your journey. Its unique scenery, long history, exotic culture, mystical religion and spectacular monuments will ensure your stay is unforgettable.
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Tibet Autonomous Region
