About Tibet

Tibet autonomous region is located in southwest china & boarders Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Qinghai, Sichuan & Yunnan provinces. In south and west, it boarders Myanmar, India, Bhutan Sikkim, Nepal and Kashmir area. It has an area of 1.22 million square k.m. and a population of 2.6163 million. Of it's more than 30 ethnic groups such as Han, Monda, Lhoba, Hui, Mongol, Naxi, and Nu, the Tibetan account for more than 92.2 percent.The main part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the region has an average elevation of more than 4,000meters and is famous as the “Roof of the world” and the “third pole of the earth”. The mount Qomolangma in the bordering area of the china and Nepal is 8,848.13 meters tall, the highest peak in the world.

 Agriculture and livestock are the economic pillars of Tibet, cultivating mainly sheep, goats and yaks, and growing mainly barley. Wheat, potato and rape. Also the region produces the famous medicininal materials such musk, pilose antler and snow lotus, which enjoy a good reputation at home and abroad. Tibet leads the country in the deposits of hydropower and thermal power and ranks second in the solar energy in the world. Tibet has a long history and beautiful landscape.  Its brilliant and ancient monasteries and unique local customs attract flocks of tourist. Lhasa, Xigaze, Shannan, Nyingchi, Nagqu. Ngari and Qamdo have different landform and fantastic customs. You are welcome to Tibet and to have a look of these rare wonders in the world.

Tibet, the mystic Shangri-La, the forbidden kingdom on the roof of the world has captured man's imagination for centuries. Great explorers & adventurers of the century have ventured into this holy land rendered inaccessible by the hostile natural conditions & bandits that way lead them on their journeys through the Himalayas . Despite untold ravages which occurred during the "Cultural Revolution". Tibet 's past grandeur, majesty, magic & mystery still remains undiminished. One can still see today nomads herding their yaks, pilgrims worshipping at sacred shrines & the expansive, striking & enduring Himalayan topography. Tibet is truly an adventurers paradise.

Tibet is a rich and beautiful land with an average altitude over 4,000m (13,120ft) above sea level. Possessing more than fifty peaks above 7,000m (22,960ft), Tibet is home to eleven Himalayan mountains over 8,000m (26,240ft). China, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Burma and Kashmir all border Tibet.Over two million people inhabit this land of rich natural resources and ancient cultures, temples and monasteries, lakes and rivers, and mighty snow clad peaks are just a few of the intoxicating wonders to be experienced by adventurous travelers who get the opportunity to visit this land. Buddhism, with a history of some 1,300 years is shaped into a unique form of "Lamaism". Tibetan history, culture and religion are mixed together and infiltrate every aspect of social life. Tibetan religious arts have a distinctive style with adoption of Indian and Chinese Buddhist influence, thus forming a pearl of Oriental Buddhist art. The various people who live on the Tibetan plateau, such as Tibetans, Bonpas, Lhopas and Moslems, each have their own unique of traditions of marriage, burial birth, and other ceremonies. Festivals in Tibet are numerous providing many opportunities for large and exciting celebrations. So come and visit a the land rich in mountains, monks, mystery and adventure.

Tibet is one of the world's most extraordinary destinations and there is adventure indeed lurking around almost each and every corner. Lhasa The capital lies high in the arid wilderness of the Tibetan mountains, it's name the "Roof of the World" is no idle statement. The valley bottoms of Tibet are higher than the highest mountains elsewhere. Its snow covered plateaus are the highest in the world, and apart from the Everest, which Tibetans see from 'the other side', many mountains are over 15000 feet.

The Tibet Autonomous Region is located on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau at the south western most tip of china, 4000 meters above sea level at an average.Tibet is known as the roof of the world because there are over 50 peaks more than 7000 meters above sea level. covering an area of 1.2 million square kilometers, Tibet has a population of more than 2.3 million.

Tibet is the birthplace of the Tibetan people. The earliest human activities were found in the late old stone Age. in the seventh century king songtsen gampo united Tibet and founded the Turpan regime. The relationship between the Tibetans and the hans were tightened through marriage.

Lhasa
Lhasa means “Holy-land” in Tibetan language. Lhasa is located along the northern bank of the lhasa river. A tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo river, sitting 3700 meters above sea level Lhasa is a cultural city with a history of more than 1300 years it is also known as the solar city because it has longer time of sunshine. It is the capital as well as the center for politics,economy and culture of the Tibet autonomous region with many world famous places of interest.

Potala Palace
Located on the western part of Lhasa city. which established in the 7 th century. It was damaged during the war and the new one was rebuilt by the 5 th Dalai Lama. The potala palace is 119 metres high divided in 13 stores.it famous by its history and the treasures, it is the sample of the Tibetan architecture and culture.

Samye Monastery
Samye monastery was built by 38 th king Trisong Detsen in the middle of the 8 th century with the help of Padmasambhaya and santarakshita the two renowned Indian masters, he invited from India as the first formal Tibetan monastery with the Buddha, the dharma and the Sangha , it was designed and created in the Shape of universe from the Buddhist viewpoint with the characteristics of Han,Tibetan and Indian architecture. Its centeral hall symbolizes Sumeru ,it is splendid and magnificent as “inconceivable Monastery” by encircling with four giant continents and eight lesserones,sun and moon chapels and four kinds of pagodas. It is listed as one of the key cultural relics under the special protection of the state.

If possible, try to time your visit to Lhasa with one of the city's festivals. Pilgrims often flock to Lhasa at these times and the city takes on a colorful party atmosphere. The following Tibetan festivals are calculated according to the lunar calendar. Check before for the precise dates.

Tibetan New Year
It is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach tree was in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., The first day of the first month became fixed as the New Year. On the New Year's the families unite “auspicious dinner" is offered and the auspicious words “tashi delek" are greeted. It is the most colorful festival of Lhasa.

Monlam (great prayer festival of Lhasa )
Known also as the great prayer festival, this is held midway through the first lunar month. An image of maitreya from the jokhang is borne around the barkhor, attracting enthusiastic crowds of locals and pilgrims.

Saga dawa festival (May or June)
It is the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day, buddha's birth and buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa join in circumambulations round the city and spend their late afternoon on picnic at "dzongyab lukahng" park at the foot of potala.

Gyantse horse race & archery (May or June)
Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and gyantse enjoys prestige of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse race, archery, and shooting on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking. Presently ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to the above.

Changtang chachen horse race festival - (10 August)
As the most important festival in north Tibet during the golden season on the grassland, thousand of herdsmen throng to nakchu riding fine horses, and carrying the local products. They form as city of tens south of nakchu town. There will be thrilling horse race, archery and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and dance troupes from all part of Tibet will add to the fun.

Shoton festival (August)
It is the opera festival and the greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times pious folks went into mountain hermitages of which yoghurt was served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and dances. Since 7th century, opera performances were held for days in norbu lingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.

Ganden festival
On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, 25 precious articles belonging to ganden monastery, which are normally locked in their treasure house, are displayed in the main shrine hall. A grand offering ceremony accompanies the display. These articles consist of the images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the secret assembly, the four great kings, the upasaka and hashang image.

Harvest festival (September)
The farmers in Lhasa, gyantse and shangnan to celebrating their bumeer harvest in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse racing games, costume fashion show, songs and dance archery and picnic etc.

Bathing week
It is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river becomes purest and cure diseases. During its appearance for one week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into the river for bathing.

Health Care for Traveling on Plateau
For the high altitude, thin air, cold and air dirty of Tibet, travelers usually will have altitude sickness of different degrees, such as headache .insomnia, feeling depressed and nervous. To cure this sickness, we would remind you to have enough rest and not necessary but just rest. While for the seriously sick, tours must be stopped immediately. The patients should lie down in bed and, if possible, they should inhale oxygen (Hotels can always provide oxygen bags and cylinders) inhaling oxygen is a convenient and effective way of curing altitude sickness. To ensure a happy trip and good health tourists are suggested to bring some common medicine for altitude sickness such as aminophyline, chlorpromazine, Asprir, Vitamin C.E.B2.B6 etc .

Season and Clothing
Because of its high altitude, climate in Tibet is somewhat cold and the difference between temperature in the day and at night is very great. But as for its long sunshine time, winter is not too bad. its annual rainfall is not much and mostly some in between July and September. In spring, autumn and winter it is a little bit dry. In the river valleys there is not much snow. Spring (March---may) : Cold, dry and windy. A jacket and a woolen sweater are necessary. Summer (June----August) Cool but hot at noon. Shirts, Pants or skirts will be fine. Autumn: Sep-Nov ) Cold dry jackets and woolen sweater are needed. Winter: (Dec--------Feb. next year) : frigid, very dry. Warm poolover, down coat, Jacket, Woolen sweater, scarves and gloves are necessary.