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:
HAT065. Nepal & Tibet Tour
- 7 days- Kathmandu, Lhasa
HAT066. Tibet overland Tour
- 12 days- Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Zhangmu
HAT067. Tibet overland
with Everest Base Camp-15days – Kathmandu, Lhasa,
Gyantse, Rongbuk, EBC
HAT068. Mt. Kailash
and Lake Mansarovar - 18days – Kathmandu, Zhangmu,
Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar
HAT069. Lhasa and Mt. Kailash
- 27days – Kathmandu, Lhasa, Gyantse, Napug, Darquen
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.
Top
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.
Top
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.
Top
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.
