The Tibet Autonomous Region lies in the southwestern part of China. Its location where is the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is the largest and highest plateau in the world.
As the average altitude of the Tibetan region is over 4,000 meters above sea level, it is regarded as one of the “Three poles on Earth” with the other two being South and North Poles. Tibet covers 1.2 million square kilometers constituting one eighth of China's land mass, nearly as large as the total territories of Germany and France. With over 50 peaks above 7,000 meters, it has become a real paradise for mountaineers and explorers.
The unique geological environment breeds the snowy landscape, and the snow-capped mountains, open fields, rivers, lakes and forests make up the amazing beauty of Tibet. It also breeds the unique culture of Tibet. The ancient traditional Tibetan Buddhism has formed a cultural system of its own, enduing the land with mystery and charm. Generous and unconstrained, the Tibetans are good at singing and dancing, so the land has been known as “the Ocean of Songs and Dances”.
Lhasa is the spiritual and political capital of Tibet. Lhasa means “The land of gods” in Tibetan. There are numerous scenic spots and historical attractions, among which Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Jokhang Temple being the most famous. Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet. Shigatse means “The Estate that fulfills one's Wishes” in Tibetan. Tashilhunpo Monastery is its major historic attraction. Mountain Kailas, the near-legendary mountain in western Tibet is holy to both Hinduism and Buddhism. People come from far away lands to perform a pilgrimage, one even circle the mountain on the stomach. The mountain is the source of four major Asian rivers.
The popular time of the year to visit Tibet is May through October. To taste Tibet with its rich cultural heritage, incredibly dramatic landscapes and fascinating political history is a lifetime dream.
Refereed as Shangri-La, The Forbidden Land, The Roof of the World and by many more, the mysterious Buddhist Kingdom remained long closed to foreigners, exerting a strong hold on the imagination of the world. For centuries, it has fascinated mankind. It was hardly accessible to the outside world and has been always a challenge to human beings. Tibet, a “forbidden land” not only by man but also by nature, attracted many explorers, scholars, and pilgrims and adventure lovers, all in pursuit of “Real Shangri-La”. It is not only the geographical and natural enchants but also a long historical culture and religion that appeal the foreigners to visit Tibet at least once in a lifetime. |
Asia Travel 
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