Tibet the very name evokes feelings of awe and mystery in extremely remote and
isolated by the most formidable Himalayan ranges. A land of ancient Buddhist
culture, awesome landscapes, artistic monasteries and centuries-old caravan
trails; Tibet is a destination out of the ordinary.
Famed as the roof of the world, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China lies
on a plateau at an average elevation of 4000m. It is bounded by the Kunlun
Mountains to the north and the Himalaya to the south. Tibet covers an area
of 1.2 million sq. km, and has a population of 2.3 millions.
Himalayan Asia group specialist in Tibet tours make so adventurous journey
to the world of Shangri-La-Tibet. So easy and so affordable through its various
fascinating packages tours to any part of Tibet.
You are most welcome to join some one of our tours package and experience
it.
Package programs:
Tibet Tour
Durations - 7 days
Destinations - Kathmandu, Lhasa
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Tibet overland Tour
Durations - 12 days
Destinations - Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Zhangmu
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Tibet Tour Travel
Durations -15days
Destinations – Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Rongbuk, EBC
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Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar
Durations - 18days
Destinations – Kathmandu, Zhangmu, Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar
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Lhasa and Mt. Kailash
Durations - 27days
Destinations – Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Napug, Darquen
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Geography of Tibet
Festivals of Tibet
Rivers & Lakes in Tibet
Religion of Tibet
Geography of Tibet
Area : 1.2 million sq.km
Capital : Lhasa
Temperatures : 23C/73F in summer -15C/5F in winter
Population : 2.2 million
with an average elevation of over 4,000 m, Tibet is considered to be the highest
region in the world and is often called the "
Roof of the World."
This comes as no surprise, especially since southern Tibet is located in the
Himalayas, which contains many of the world's highest summits. In addition to
its incredible heights, Tibet is also one of the most isolated areas on earth,
with most of the people living in elevations ranging from 1200 m to 5100 m.
One of the most famous peaks found in Tibet is Mount Everest (8848 m), the highest
mountain in the world.
Tibet with it's mountains is the source and dividing line of the Asian continent's
major rivers, with the Brahmaputra being the most important. Many of the rivers
in Tibet can be used for hydroelectricity, but this potential hasn't been
developed as of yet.
The Festivals of Tibet
New Year (February or March)
It is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach tree was
in blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new year. Since the systematization
of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., the first day of the first month became
fixed as the new year. On the New Year's day, families unite "
auspicious
dipper" is offered and the auspicious words "
tashi
delek" are greeted.
Saga Dawa Festival (May or June)
It is the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day,
Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa
join in circum ambulating round the city and spend there late afternoon on
picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at the foot of Potala.
Gyantse Horse Race (May or June)
Horse race and archer are generally popular in Tibet, and Gyantse enjoys prestige
of being the earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times
included horse race, archery, and Shooting on gallop followed by a few days'
entertainment or picnicking. Presently,ball games, track and field events,
folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to the above.
Changtang Chachen Horse Race Festival (10 August)
As the most important festival in North Tibet during the golden season on
the grassland, thousand of herdsmen throng to Nakchu riding fine horses, and
carrying the local products. They form as city of tens south of Nakchu town.
There will be thrilling horse race, archery and demonstrations of horsemanship.
Songs and dance troupes from all part of Tibet will add to the fun.
Harvest Festival (September)
The farmers in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shangnan to celebrating their bumper harvest
in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse racing games, costume
fashion show, songs and dance Archery and picnic etc.
Kungbu Traditional Festival (November of December)
Long long ago, when Tibet was in danger of large-scale invasion, the Kongpo
people sent out an army to defend their homeland. It was in September and
the soldiers worried that they might miss the New Year, highland barley wine
and other good things. So people had the Tibetan New Year on 1st October ahead
of time. To memorize those brave soldiers Kongpo people present three sacrifices
and stay up at night from then on. And now it has become the Kongpo Festival
for entertainment like Kongpo dancing, horse race, archery and shooting.
Rivers and Lakes in Tibet
Tibet is full of rivers and lakes, which provides abundance of hydroelectric
power and aquatic products. Bushy banks of the rivers and lakes are the homes
of swans and geese.If you do not watch your step,you might stride on their
eggs.On the banks of the salt water lakes,there are great heaps of alkali
which also contains niters and borax.
The Yaluzangbu River.As long as 2,057 km, the Yaluzangbu River turns and
twists like a silver dragon from the west to the east into the valleys of
South Tibet.It runs through Muotuo county.After a 90-degree turn,it empties
into the Indian Ocean.People could have a good time with their yak hide boats
on canoes in the upper level of the River with going down to the lower level
is quite exciting and challenging.
The Manasarovar Lake-A Holy Lake the lake is situated 30km southeast of Mt.Holy.It
has an area of 400 square km. The Buddhists believe that the lake is the bestow
from the heaven. The holy water can cure all kinds of diseases; wash people
clean and get rid of people's worries. After walking around the lake and taking
baths at the four bathing Gates, the pilgrims can be free from sins and can
be bestow happiness. The great monk Juan Zhuang praised it " the Holy
Lake in the West Heaven". Not far from the lake stands Mt.Holy.It does
not only attracts pilgrims but also many tourists from home and abroad.
Fish Store-the Yangzongyong Lake: The Yangzongyong Lake is
within Langkamu county, with an area of 638 square km and a coastal line of
250 km. The deepest point is 60 meters. There is plenty of natural fodder for
the fish in the lake. The lakes have a fish reserve of about 300 million kg.
That is why it is called "the Fish Store of Tibet". A lot of colorful
ducks and geese are swimming on the surface of the lake. The coast of the lake
is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture.
The Namu Lake: With an area of 1940 square km,the Namu Lake
is the 2nd largest salt water lake. In the lake there are 3 islands, which is
an ideal habitat for all kinds of aquatic life.One of the islands is made of
calcareous sandstone. It is characterized by the stone pillars,natural stone
bridges and the stalactite caves. The beaches of the lake are a beautiful natural
pasture. Wildlife is having a good time there.
Religion of Tibet
No other religion apart from Buddhism has been able to take root in Tibet.
Only a small population of about 2,000 throughout Tibet has faith in Islam,
while there is no trace of Christianity at all. The Bon, the aborigine religion
of Tibet, a sect of Shamanism which chiefly worshipped idols and the Nature
and practiced driving off of evil spirits, had at one time prevailed in Tibet
but lost round with the penetration of Buddhism.
Thus, Buddhism can as well be said to the sole religion of Tibet, and the
faith has taken so deep in root that it means almost everything to the Tibetans
as already mentioned. Well-to-do families even built in their compound their
private chapels of prayer-rooms. to begin with, the first Buddhist scripture
printed in Sanskrit was said to have been descended from Heaven in the 5th
century during the reign of 28th Tsanpo Tho-Tho-Ri Nyantsan. It was translated
into Tibet, and later in the 8th century after the visit the Indian Master
Padmasambhava, the spread of Buddhism got accelerated and religious sect started
taking shape. In the 11th century the visit of the Bengali Master, Atisha,
to Tibet greatly encouraged the study of Buddhism into Tibet and sowed the
seed for Gelugpa, the greatest sect that was to come. Finally, in the 15th
century, Tsongkapa, the great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism, came to Tibet
from Qinghai and founded the Gelugopa sect, the Order of Excellence, and here
after Buddhism went all-out spreading like a wild fire into Tibet and the
absolute ruler both of the claret and the state is another decisive victory
for Buddhism to rise to its paramount as the religion of the entire Tibetan
nationality.
