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Tibet
(Xizang), the Roof of the World, remained unknown to the world
until the very beginning of the 20th century. The massive, snowy land
has exerted an awesome draw to travelers and adventurers ever since. Its
majestic and grand scenery, mysterious and exotic religious culture, and
wonderful people reward every tourist with an indelible life long memory!
Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region, TAR for short) borders India, Burma,
Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal. Covering a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers
(470, 920 square miles), the plateau is surrounded by the highest mountain
ranges, the Himalaya to the south, the Karakoram to the west,
and the Kunlun to the north. Smaller mountain ranges block it off in the
east with internal provinces of China. With an average height of 4,000
meters above sea level, Tibet encompasses some of the world's highest
mountains. Mt. Everest towers over the region. Four mountains
exceed altitudes of 8,000 meters (26,240 feet). Thirty-eight mountains
exceed altitudes of 7,000 meters (22,960 feet). This "Roof of the
World" is the dreamland of mountaineers and adventurers. The vast
land is also the cradle of great rivers like the Yangtze, Yellow River,
Nu River (Salween), Lancang River (Mekong), Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra),
Indus, and Ganges. Tibet also offers awe-inspiring scenery of heavenly
lakes and valleys.
Lhasa and Shigatse are the well trodden
areas which offer the most accessible religious monuments and tourist
attractions. As the most important cities of Tibet, Lhasa and Shigatse
feature most of the religious monuments including the Potala,
the Jokhang Temple, Tashilunpo Monastery,
and Kumbum, as well as natural wonders including Mt.
Everest and Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.
Western Tibet, Ngari, is a vast barren plateau and renowned as the Roof
of Tibet. As the place where the sacred lake (Lake Manasarova) joins the
sacred mountain (Mt. Kailash),
Ngari is a holy pilgrimage destination of both Tibetans and Hindus, as
well as a popular challenge to trekkers. The ancient Shang Shung
Kingdom and Guge Kingdom also exert a pull.
Southwestern Tibet has been a popular destination for mountaineers. More
than 40 snow capped peaks are open to mountain climbing enthusiasts. Southern
Tibet offers snow capped mountains, primeval forests, running waters,
and a relatively mild climate. The largest canyon in the world, Yarlong
Tsangpo Canyon, is the home of rare species, and remains unknown
to the foreigner.
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