Tibet Facts-Tibet Overview
Get to know Tibet facts will familiarize travelers with one of the most unique corners of the world. Tibet’s culture has its roots that date back thousands of years. In the past, Tibetans were followers of the ancient Bon religion but now most are Tibetan Buddhist. These facts about Tibet and Tibet travel are a great place to start Tibet tour planning.
Short Tibet Introduction-basic facts
Tibet (TAR- Tibet Autonomous Region-TAR) is one of the five autonomous regions in the China and it was admitted on September 1, 1965. Read more. Name: "Xizang Zizhiqu" in Chinese name or Tibet, Nickname – Roof Top of the World
Etymological: the name Tibet is derived from the Sanskrit word Trivistapa which means "heaven." Tibetans called their homeland Bod.
Capital City of Tibet: Lhasa “Sunshine City”, Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA) is Tibet's Gateway, "sunshine City"
Famous cities or towns: Shigatse, Tsetang, Nyingchi, Nagqu, Zhangmu
Tibet Location: Asia, southwest of China, north of India, east of Nepal, located on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest region. Bordering provinces: Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan
Area: 1.2m sq km (471 700 sq miles), Bod: 2.5 million sq. km, the second largest region of China after Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, approximately the size of Western Europe
Terrain: 70% Grassland; from high plateau to tropical forest
Highest Point: Mt. Everest, 8,844.43 meters
Main Rivers: Brahmaputra River, Nujiang River, Jinshajiang River, and Lancang River
Industries: Mining, wool spinning, carpets, forestry, food processing, printing, building materials and machinery, tourism.
Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY-RMB)
Time Zone: Local Time = GMT +8
Tibetan Government:
Type: Communist party-led state (People's Republic of China), folow the link China tour facts to check out more details.
Geography & Average Altitude: Bounded by the Himalayan Mountains to the south, the region sits on a high plateau at 4,000-5,000 meters (13,000-16,400 feet), resulting in its nickname "the roof of the world."
Tibet History Facts
Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. Tibet's history can be divided into four period: The Tsanpo's Period, The period of Decentralization, The period of Sakya, Pagdu, and Karmapa's Rule, and The period of the Ganden Podrang's Administration.
Tibet Natural Resources
The diversity of geographic features makes Tibet not only a natural park rich with various kinds of fauna and flora, but blessed by vast mineral, hydro, solar and geothermal resources. Read more about Tibet natural resources.
Agriculture products: Livestock and livestock products.
Tibet facts-info for Tibet travel
Weather and Climate in Tibet
Average temperature 28 degrees Celsius (Summer) -15 degrees Celsius (in Winter), extremely dry except during rainy season (July-August). Click here to know the best time to visit Tibet. The sun in Tibet is extremely strong. It's not for nothing that Lhasa is called the Sunlight City. Because of the thinness of the air, heat and sunlight are not retained, and the temperature can vary very quickly between extremes. However, it is still very possible to visit Tibet, with May, June and September being the primary tourist season in eastern Tibet.
Most annual rainfall in Tibet comes in the rainy season from June to September. During this time it will usually rain at night in Lhasa, Shigatse and Chamdo areas. The rainfall may block roads and make travel difficult, but it is also one of the more beautiful seasons for sightseeing.
The General Climate in different regions of Tibet
Region-specific information: Lhasa - Shigatse - Lhatse - Tingri - Nyalan: The Friendship highway is in good condition year around. But from December to February, the thawed road could make some trouble. Try to avoid during August - landslides are frequent during the rainy season.
Mt. Everest Area: Early May and early October are the best times to visit Mt. Everest. Thanks to the clear weather, this period provides the best views of Mt. Everest. This area is best avoided in the period from December to February because of the extreme cold, except for the truly stout of heart.
Ali (Mt.Kailash): Even at the best of times this area is inhospitable. Heavy rain and snow only make things worse. However, for the determined tourist, the best times to visit are May, June, July, September and October.
Eastern Tibet: This area is to be avoided during July and August (the rainy season), as the roads will tend to get washed out, and there is potential for heavy landslides. Also in winter, the roads will be frozen.
Northern Tibet: With an average altitude of 4,500m, this area offers only a very limited window of time for tourism. Summer (July to August) is the prime season to enjoy the great plains of northern Tibet.
Learn more about Tibe weather and climate.
Tibetan Culture Facts
Festivals: Tibetan New Year, Saga Dawa Festival, Shoton Festival, Bathing Festival, Horse Race festival. Click this Tibet traditional festivals to see more about the festivals celebrated in Tibet.
Ethnic Groups: primarily ethnic Tibetans; Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, Hui and a growing number of Han Chinese.
Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Animism.
Culture: Wedding, Funeral, read more on Unique Tibetan culture
Languages: Tibetan language and Chinese.
Tibet Education: Education in Tibet is developing step by step (but quite basic)
Tibet tourists attractions: Potala Palace, Barkhor Steets, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kailash and read more Tibet tourists attractions. Reasons why travel to Tibet.
