Tibet Quick Facts
Name: Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区; Xizang Zi Tai Qu /tai-bet/)
Meaning: "western storehouse"
Other names: Bod, Tufan, Tubo
Features
- Super-high mountains and valleys
- Old Buddhist temples and monasteries
- Tibetan culture
- Tibet's Sacred Mountains and Lakes
Most Popular Attractions
- The city of Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Gandan Monastery
- Outside Lhasa: Namtso Lake and Tashilhunpo Monastery.
- Tibetan festivals
- Most popular souvenirs and local products: Tibetan crafts and rugs
- Most popular food: tsampa (the staple composed of barley), balep (bread), thukpa (noodle soup), yak butter, yak cheese, yak yoghurt, raw yak meat
History
- 618 Songtsän Gampo (604–650) came to power and then unified parts of the Yarlung River Valley and founded the Tibetan Empire.
- 637 Songtsan Gampo raised the first structures for his capital of Lhasa for his empire.
- 763 Tibetan troops captured Changan (Xian).
- 1642 The Fifth Dalai Lama made Lhasa the capital of his kingdom.
- 1950 Communist troops captured the capital city of Lhasa.
Geography
- Capital city: Lhasa
- Tourism: ancient Buddhists sites, spectacular scenery, Tibetan culture and religion.
- Significance of the province: Tibet is the second largest province, and it has great potential for mineral and energy production. Domestic tourism may also grow rapidly in the future.
- Adjacent provinces and territories: Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Yunnan
- Terrain: Tibet is on the Tibetan Plateau that is the highest region on earth.
- Elevation: 4,500 m (14,763 ft)
- Main rivers: Yangtze and many tributaries, Yarlung Tsangpo River, Nyang River, Salween River, Mekong River, Yellow River.
- Province location: 27° 18' to 36° 29' N, 78° 55' to 99° 07' E; southwestern China.
- Population: (2010) at least 3,000,000
- Area: 1,288,400 sq km (474,300 sq mi)
- Population density: 2.2/sq km (5.7/sq mi)
Climate
The climate depends on the elevation and location. Tibet is impacted by the Southwest Indian Ocean Monsoon. Much of the province is arid, and the high-altitude creates diurnal temperature extremes and altitude sickness.
Economy
- Average annual income: 15,141 RMB (2,102 USD)
- Development: developing; the province one of the poorest and the climate is harsh, but its mineral and energy resources hold great industrial promise.
- Industry: 55.2% tertiary industry (services, administration, tourist industry), 28.7% secondary (industry), 16.1% primary (mining, animal husbandry, agriculture)
Transportation
- 4 regional airports
- 1 train line linking Lhasa with the rest of China
Tibet tours: If your goal is to go up to Tibet, we at China Highlights are here to help you get over all the peaks.
