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Tibet
Autonomous Region (Zang for short) is located on southwest China border
areas, encompassing 1.2 million square kilometers and with a population of
2.25 million.
The area north of Gangdisi Mountains and Nianqingtangula Mountain is
slightly rolling Northern Tibet plateau, while south of these mountains are
Southern Tibet valleys with a series of narrow and wide plains, among which
Lhasa Valley plain is the largest. Lying between the south of the valleys
and the border are the Himalayas. The eastern part of the Autonomous Region
is the northern section of the Hengduan Mountains, known as "Eastern Tibet
High Mountain and gorge Area". The Yaluzangbu River is the most important
river flowing out of Tibet. Tibet has the temperate highland climate, with
comparatively low temperature and little rainfall, thin air but plentiful
sunshine. Among its minerals, uranium, chromite, copper, borax and salt etc,
stand in the forefront in deposit in China. Tibet has rich resources of
hydraulic, geothermal, solar as well as wind energy, and abounds in forest
resources in eastern gorge area.
The Tibet Autonomous Region is populated principally by the Zang
Nationality and there are also the Han, Menba, Luoba, and Hui Nationalities.
As one of China's five major pastoral areas, Livestock breeding is the
backbone of its economy. Next come the growing of Qingke barley, peas, horse
beans, rape-seeds, jute, beet etc. Its industry is comparatively backward.
Highway plays the chief role in transport in Tibet. Air flights from
Lhasa to Chengdu and Xian have already been in operation.
Known as "The Roof of the World", Tibet has spectacular and fascinating
snow-capped Peaks, glaciers, high mountains, wide rivers, unique highland
lakes, geothermal springs, vast pastoral areas, magnificent monasteries,
brilliant religious arts and interesting ethnic customs. Main famous scenic
spots and historical sites are the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Norbulingka Park,
Jokang Monastery, Yalong River in Southern Tibet, Tombs of the Tibetan
Kings, Jashilumbu Monastery west of Shigatse city etc. Famous traditional
specialties include Tibetan carpets and boots, Qingke barley wine, roasted
Qingke barley flour, snow-lotus etc.
Tourism Development Along Qinghai-Tibet Railway China National Tourism Administration has just delivered a general plan for tourism development for regions along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway.
The plan has been sent to the Qinghai Provincial and Tibet Autonomous Region's tourism departments. The ...
Lhasa to build mini Potala Palace amid tourist boom Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, plans to build a miniature Potala Palace to divert the tourist floods to the Tibetan landmark after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway went into operation in July 2006.
With the help of high-tech ...
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Railroad to the top of the world
From
Beijing
it's a two-day, 4,000km journey across heat-seared deserts, over the
forbidding Kunlun mountains and the vertiginous, 5,072 metre high Tanggula
Pass, through the 5 km Fenghuoshan tunnel at 4,900 m, and finally to Tibet’s
holy city,
Lhasa, six kilometres high in the heart of the mighty Himalayas.
The five-year, US $3.68 billion rail project is one of the world’s
engineering marvels and a rare example of state central planning that
actually works.
The most challenging portion of the world’s highest railway runs 1,000 km
from China’s western Qinghai region to Lhasa at an average altitude of 4,000
metres. Five hundred kilometres of rail are built on permafrost, which
freezes in winter and turns to bog in summer. China proudly claims not a
single worker died in the project. |
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Tibet - The Forbidden Land
Tibet
remains one of the most interesting, remote and undeveloped regions of the
world. Surrounded by vast mountains, century old caravan trails cross the
mysterious landscape through hidden valleys to exotic cities. Also known
as 'The Roof of the World', this mysterious Buddhist kingdom remained long
closed to foreigners, exerting a stronghold on people's imaginations and
giving appeal to travellers to visit Tibet at least once in their
lifetime. Our journey starts with a spectacular flight over the Himalayas
from Kathmandu to Lhasa, where we visit the Potala Palace, once home to
the Dalai Lama, Sera and Drepung Monastaries, as well as the Summer Palace
of Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple and the bustling Barkor Market. Crossing
the arid Tibetan plateau we come to Gyantse and Shigatse, visiting the
Kumbum and Tahilumpo Monastery, and then over the Gyatmso La Pass, the
highest point in our journey at 5220m on our way to Shegar. Crossing the
Pang La Pass will give spectacular views of the Himalayas. From Rongbuk
Monastery, we walk to the Base Camp of the highest mountain in the world -
Everest or 'Quomolangma' as it is known in Tibetan, another highlight of
the trip. We then journey to Tingri and cross the spectacular Lalung La
Pass on our way to Nyalam. From there we head back to Kathmandu via the
Friendship Bridge. |