Tibet (known as Xizang in Chinese) lies on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau towards the southwest border of China. The average elevation of the this region is more than 4,000 meters above sea level, which gives Tibet the name as "Roof of the World". Part of Mt Everest lies on the Tibetan side and it is 8,846 meters above sea level.
Although a part of China, Tibet has a unique culture of its own. It is mainly inhabited by Tibetans, a minority nationality. Lhasa is the capital and it sits at an elevation of 3,700 meters. When you are up that high, oxygen level is really thin. Lhasa, Holy-Land in Tibetan, is the heart and soul of Tibet. The magnificent Potala Palace is the grandest sight in Lhasa followed by the Jokhang Temple, and a number of sacred Buddhist monasteries.
The population of slightly more than 2.5 million people comes from a variety of ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han, Monba and Lhota. Nearly all Tibetans follow Tibetan Buddhism, known as Lamaism.
The mystical Potala Palace at night
Courtyard of the Potala Palace
The Summer Palace of the 14th Dalai Lama
Downtown Lhasa
New culture?
Street scene in Lhasa
Fireworks at the Potala Square
The Thousand Buddha Stupa, Gyantse
Statue of Maitreya in the Thousand Buddha Stupa Temple
Prayers" Drums
Buddhist monks chanting
Guardian Deity in Samye Monastery
Buddha in a Cave shrine
Entrance to the Jokhang Monastery
Prostration at the Jokhang Monastery, one of Xizang's holiest shrine
Candles burning in Jokhang Monastery
Kumbum Monastery
Buddha in Kumbum's Monastery
Gyantse Fort
Barkhor
Barkhor Square
Gyantse, Tibet's third largest city.
Tibetan nuns chanting and seeking alms
A Tibetan cultural dancer
Tibetan monk talking with a Tibetan woman
Tibetan sisters
A Tibetan woman praying
The modern Lhasa Train Station
At 4,000 meter above sea level, the Xizang - Qinghai railway track is the world's highest.
Mt Everest from Rongbuk
Yamdruk Tso, The Turqoise lake
Train onto Qinghai
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