Tibet Autonomous Region is located in southwest China and borders Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces.

In south and west, it borders Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Kashmir area. It has an area of 1.22 million square kilometers and a population of 2.6163 million. Of its more than 30 ethnic groups such as Han, Monba, 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 4,000 meters and is famous as the "Roof of the world" and the "Third pole of the earth." The Mt. Qomolangma in the bordering area of China and Nepal is 8,848.13 meters tall, the highest peak in the world.

Tibet has a plateau climate featuring a remarkable change vertically and a big temperature change during the daytime and the night. The North Tibet Plateau is dry and cold. It has a low temperature, a long sunshine time, a strong radiation, less rainfalls and a small density of air.

Agriculture and Livestork 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 medicinal such as 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.

As early as in the late Paleolithic Age the people were found here. In the seventh century, King Songtsan Gambo united Tibet and established the Tubo kingdom. During the seventh and eight centuries, the kingdom established marriage relations twice with the Tang imperial court. In the 13th century, Tibet became an administrative area under the Yuan Dynasty. In the 17th century, the Fifth Dalai Lama established the Kadam Potrang government. The Qing government accepted this local government and sent a minister to the region. After the Revolution of 1911, the Repulican government established a representative office in Tibet in order to strengthen its management of the local goverenment. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 , the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded on September 1, 1965.

Tibet has a long history and beautiful landscape. Its brillint and ancient monasteries and unique local customs attract flocks of tourists. Lhasa, Xigaze, Shannan, Nyingchi, Nagqu, Ngari and Qamdo have different land-forms and fantastic customs. You are welcome to Tibet and to have a look of these rare wonders in the world.

At an elevation of 3,700 metres, Lhasa (meaning: "Holy Place") is capital of Tibet Autonomou Region and a famous cultural city with a 1,300-year history. Bathed in sunshine for more than 3,000 hours a year, it is also a "Sunshine City". Major landmarks: Potala Palace, Jokhong Monastery, Sera Monastery, Drepung Temple, Gaindain Monastery, Norbulinka Palace. Lhasa's original look and old lifestyle are largely intact at Barhkor Street in the old part of Lhasa, where all sorts of arts and crafts are on sale. Lhasa is linked with Beijing, Chonqing, Chengdu, Xi'an and Kathmandu by airlines. The Xining Lhasa and Chengdu-Lhasa highways also provide major accesses to Lhasa.

Xigaze is a famous cultural city with a history of more than 500 years. Some 3,800 meters above sea level, it has been a place in which Bainqen Erdini Lamas of various historical stages were authenticated. Later it has become a political and religious center in rear Tibet.

To its south stands the world known Qomolangma Peak. Around the city there are the Sakya, Palkor and Xalu monasteries.

On the Mure Mountain opposite to Qonggyai County seat in Sharman Prefecture, this burial ground of the 29th-40th Tsanpos of the Turbo kingdom is the only group of the tombs of the Tibetan kings in Tibet and has a history of more than 1,300 years. Today nine are visible, but only those of Songtsan Gambo and Trisong Detsen can be verified. Others have to be verified later.

(Tourists can take a coach from Zelang to Qonggyai County seat and then change for a taxi.)

In Nagarze County in Sharman Prefecture, the lake is 4,400 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 800 square kilometers and is 30-40 meters deep. Yamzho means upper pasture and Yum means green jade in Tibetan. In a bird's-eye view, the lake is like a big piece of sapphire inlaid in the mountains and is very beautiful.

The lake is rich in hydropower resources. Its surface is more than 800 meters higher than the Yarlung Zangbo River at the foot of the mountain. Also here stands the Yamzho Yumco Power Station well known for its high elevation in the world. To its south stands the magnificent Samding Monastery where Doje Pamo, the only woman Living Buddha in Tibet, stayed and presided.

Having an elevation of more than 4,500 meters, Nagqu is located on the famous North Tibet Plateau. It is 338 kilometers from Lhasa and at the juncture of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, northern section of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway and Heihe Highway.

Nagqu has good transport facilities and a unique landscape. The ancient Yamtung (or Zhangzhung) cultural site, the Bon monasteries, the Holy Lake Nam Co and the life of the highland herdsmen are unique tourist attractions.