Population: 2.7 million GDP: US$2 billion GDP per capita: US$2,800 Major Industries: Tourism, handicraft exports, agriculture and animal husbandry.
Tibet is surely a destination apart from most of the world. The rolling hills of the high plateau, the stunning Himalayas and mysterious Buddhist Kingdom have remained long closed to foreigners; exerting a strong hold on the imagination of the world. For centuries, it has fascinated all of mankind. It was hardly accessible to the outside world and has always been a challenge to human beings. Tibet, a "forbidden land," has attracted many explorers, scholars, pilgrims and adventure lovers; all in pursuit of the "Real Shangri-la". It is not only the geographical and natural enchantments but also a long historical culture and religion that attracts foreigners to visit Tibet at least once in a lifetime.
Tibet covers 1.2 million squares kilometers constituting one eighth of China's land mass, and nearly equal to the size of Germany and France. With an average elevation of 4,000 meters above sea level, and over 50 peaks above 7,000 meters, Tibet has become a real paradise for mountaineers and explorers.
Lhasa is the spiritual and political capital of Tibet. Lhasa in Tibetan translates to "the land of gods." There are numerous scenic spots and historical attractions including; Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, and the infamous Jokhang Temple. Shigatse is the second biggest town in Tibet. Shigatse in Tibetan translates to "the estate that fulfills one's wishes." Tashilhunpo Monastery is its major historic attraction. Mt. Kailash, the near-legendary mountain in western Tibet is holy to both Hinduism and Buddhism. People come from far away lands to perform a pilgrimage to this scared holy place. The mountain is also the source of four major Asian rivers.
The most popular time of the year to visit Tibet is May through October. To taste Tibet with its rich cultural heritage, incredibly dramatic landscapes and fascinating political history is a lifetime dream. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any details you might wish to enquire. We will be sure to find a solution for any holiday request in Tibet.
Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. However, the written history only dates back to the 7th century when Songtsan Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king, sent his minister Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit. Upon his return he invented the present Tibetan script based on Sanskrit.
Tibet's history can be divided into four periods:
1. The Tsanpo's Period: This period starts with Nyatri Tsanpo, the first of the Tsanpos, in 127BC (historians differ in view of the date, but this date is taken from the White Annales, a reliable book on Tibetan history) and ends in 842 AD at the death of Lang Dharma, the last of the Tsanpos. He was assassinated by a Buddhist monk because of Lang Dharma's ruthless persecution of Buddhism. During this period some 42 Tsanpos had ruled over Tibet among which Songtsan Gampo's rule was considered as the zenith. Songtsan Gampo was an outstanding ruler of the Tibet. He unified all of the country of Tibet, shifted the capital to Lhasa, sent Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit and promulgated a script for the Tibetan on the latter's arrival to Tibet, married Princess Wencheng of the tang Court and Princess Bhrikuti Debi of Nepal, built the Potala and the temple and the temple of Jokhang.
2. The period of Decentralization: This period began in 842AD, the year of Lang Dharma's assassination, and ended in about 1260AD when Pagpa, the Abbot of Sakya monastery, became a vassal of Kublai Khan, the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. During this period little is known in history except that Tibet became decentralized into a number of petty principalities.
3. The period of Sakya, Pagdu, and Karmapa's Rule: This period began with Sakya's rule over Tibet, followed first by Pagdu's rule in Lhaoka and then by Karmara's rule in the Tsang region (Shigatse). The sakya period was the time written Tibet officially became an inseparable part of China. This period lasted from 1260AD to 1642AD during which political powers centered in the three regions of Sakya, Pagdu, and tsang successively ruled over Tibet.
4. The period of the gandan Podrang's Administration: This is the period, in which the Dalai Lama ruled Tibet. It started in 1642AD when the 5th Dalai Lama overtook the ruling power from the Tsang ruler. It basically ended in 1951 when Tibet was liberated and came to a complete end in 1959 when a rebellion led by the Dalai Lama was pacified and the People's Government of the Tibet, Autonomous Region was set up.
