Name in Chinese: 西藏 Xī Zàng [ʃɪ:’dzæŋ]
Location: Southwestern China, GMT+8
Population: 3.4 million
Reputations: the Roof of the World, the Third Pole, the Holy Land of Buddhas
Overview:
Tibet Autonomous Region lies in Southwestern China. It is the home to over 3 million Tibetans. Nicknamed as the roof of the world, the average elevation of the land is over 4,000 meters(13,123 feet) above sea level. Its highest point is Mount Everest which is 8,848.86 meters(29,032 feet) above sea level. The land covers an area of 1.23 million square kilometers(474,287 sq.mi). It still remains unspoiled. The landscape of Tibet is amazingly gorgeous. It is a world of magnificent snow-capped mountains and beautiful mirror-like lakes. Locals maintain a strong cultural tradition. Most of them are devout Buddhists. Buddhism has spread among Tibetans for over 1,000 years. Tibet is divided into eight prefectures, namely, Lhasa, Nyingchi, Nagchu, Qamdo, Shigatse, Shannan, Gyantse and Ngari. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet. It is the biggest city and the aviation hub in Tibet. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in downtown Shigatse, is the place where Panchen Lama lives. Nyingchi is well-known as“the Land of Milk and Honey on the Roof of the World”, due to its relatively low altitude and warm climate. As one of the must-go holiday destinations in the world, Tibet attracts tourists with its absolutely unique landscape and splendid Tibetan culture.
Attractions:
Potala Palace
Potala Palace is a huge castle situated on the Red Hill. It was originally built in the seventh century by King Songtsan Gambo. The king built it for his two wives, namely Princess Wencheng from the Tang Empire and Princess Khridzun from Nepal. The castle was reconstructed in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Then, Potala Palace became Dalai Lamas’ official residence. It was added to the list of world cultural heritage sites by UNESCO in 1994.
Namtso Lake
Namtso Lake lies about 240 kilometers(149 miles) to the north of downtown Lhasa. It is the third largest salt lake in Mainland China, is a vast alpine lake with the highest altitude in the world. Its altitude is 4,718 meters(15,479 feet) above sea level. Visitors need to stay in Lhasa for a few days before heading for Namtso Lake, so that they would have acclimatized themselves to the high altitude. The lake measures 70 kilometers(43 miles) by 30 kilometers(19 miles), and covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers(741 sq.mi). It is 120 meters(394 feet) at its deepest point. Namtso Lake is considered as one of the most holy pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists. It is also one of the most beautiful lakes in Tibet.
Basum Lake
Basum Lake lies about 120 kilometers(75 miles) to the northwest of downtown Nyingchi. It is a five-star scenic area. Pagsum Lake measures about 27 square kilometers(10.4 sq.mi) and 120 meters(394 feet) in depth. It is the largest lake with lowest altitude in Tibet. Its altitude is 3,480 meters(11,417 feet) above sea level. The view of the lake is extremely beautiful.
Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake lies about 110 kilometers(68 miles) to the southwest of Lhasa. It is well-known as one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet. The three holiest lakes are Yamdrok Lake, Namtso Lake and Manasarovar Lake. Yamdrok Lake attracts visitors with its sapphire water and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. It is one of the most lovely lakes in Tibet. The lake measures 675 square kilometers(261 sq.mi) and 60 meters(197 feet) at its deepest point. Its altitude is 4,441 meters(14,570 feet) above sea level.
Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the six most famed Ge-lug-pa lamaseries in China. It was constructed in 1447 by Gedun Drup, one of Master Tsongkhapa’s disciples, the First Dalai Lama. The compound was expanded by the Fourth Panchen Lama in the year of 1601. Since then, Tashilhunpo Monastery has become the official residence of Panchen Lamas.
Everest Base Camp
Situated at the border between China and Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. It is the summit of Himalaya Mountain, is at an elevation of 8,848 meters(29,029 feet) above sea level. There are two base camps at the foot of Mount Everest, namely the Northern Everest Base Camp in China and the Southern Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Generally, the base camp in China is more easily accessible than the one in Nepal. It is set in a valley about 19 kilometers(11.8 miles) as the crow flies from Mount Everest.
How to Get to Tibet
Lhasa Kongga International Airport is located 65 kilometers(40 miles) to the southwest of downtown Lhasa. It takes about one and a half hours to get to Lhasa from the airport by car. Currently, Lhasa Kongga International Airport operates flights to 47 domestic cities, such as Chengdu, Xi’an, Chongqing, Xining, Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. There is only one international flight operating between Lhasa and Kathmandu(Nepal).
Tourists can also fly to Nyingchi from some major cities within Mainland China, such as Chengdu, Beijing, Kunming, Chongqing and Guangzhou.
Nowadays, more and more tourists choose to travel to Tibet by train from Xining, Xi’an and Chengdu.
Climate
Undoubtedly, Tibet is one of the harshest places for human existence in the world. It is cool in summer, but exceedingly cold in winter. The capital city, Lhasa is the mildest in Tibet. Its temperature may ascends to 28℃(82.4°F) in summer, but plummet to minus 15℃(5°F) in winter. The sun is blazing hot in the daytime in Lhasa. That is the reason why Lhasa is nicknamed as the City of Sunshine. On the high plateau, the sun radiation is terribly strong and harmful, but the air is too thin to block off or retain heat. It leads to the temperature extremes which occur respectfully in the daytime and the nighttime during twenty-four hours. The winter in Tibet usually lasts from December to March. The best time to visit Lhasa is between April and October. The north part of Tibet is always freezing chill in winter which starts in October and ends in the following May or June. The peak season of tourism in the east part of Tibet is between May and June, as well as September. In the south part of Tibet, it is balmy during the period between May and October. Hence the best time suggested for you to visit Lhasa, Shigatse and Nyingchi is between May and October.
Tibet Entry Permit
Tibet Entry Permit is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau. All foreigners who travel to Tibet need to apply the permit. According to the regulation, the permit should be issued minimal 20 days in advance of the arrival, and foreign tourists are not allowed to travel on an independent basis in Tibet.
How to Avoid Altitude Sickness
The average altitude of Tibet is over 4,000 meters(13,123 feet) above sea level. Some of the tourists will suffer from the Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS). Tips for you to prevent the AMS include keeping hydrated, avoiding a cold, acclimatizing to altitude gradually, avoiding rapid ascent, restraining from smoking and drinking alcohol.
Author: Tina Luo
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