Tibet is a region of Central Asia located on the Tibetan Plateau. It is a cultural and religious community whose distinguishing features are the Tibetan language and Tibetan Buddhism. The indigenous population is Tibetan.
Since 1950, Tibet has been part of the PRC as the Tibet Autonomous Region and autonomous prefectures in Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu, between which the historical regions of U-Tsang, Kham, and Amdo are divided. Lhasa is the historical capital of Tibet and the administrative center of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Lhasa is the main sacred city of Tibet. It has been the capital of Tibet since the second half of the 6th century. From that time until 1951, this city was the spiritual and secular center of the Buddhist kingdom; today it is the administrative and religious center of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Sera Monastery was founded in 1419 and is one of the six great monasteries (the second largest in Tibet). Several hundred Buddhist monks live here. It also hosts a religious college where, in earlier times, up to 5,000 monks from all over Tibet studied.
Jokhang is the oldest monastery in Tibet, built in Lhasa between 639 and 647 under King Songtsen Gampo. Believers from all over Tibet come here to venerate the sacred statue of Jowo Shakyamuni depicting the Buddha.
Potala is the pinnacle of Tibetan architecture. Construction of palace buildings on Red Hill began in the 7th century. In its modern form, the palace was created by the best Tibetan architects of the 17th century as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. It offers a panorama of the sacred city of Lhasa. The palace is both a historical and architectural monument and the political and religious center of Tibet. The magnificent halls of the Red and White Palaces, numerous chapels, covered terraces of the Dalai Lama’s residence, and the vast Deyang Shar courtyard are especially impressive.
Norbulingka (Jewel Park) was founded in 1755 and from the 18th to the mid-20th century served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Its grounds include parks and gardens, ponds, palaces and pavilions, an open-air theater, and healing springs. It consists of four palace complexes. The palaces include about 400 rooms, chapels, and residential quarters. Drepung is located 8 km west of Lhasa. It is the largest monastery in Tibet, founded in 1416. Today, about 500 monks live there.
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, whose main attraction is Tashilhunpo Monastery, the historical residence of the Panchen Lamas, where about 800 monks study. In the temple complex are the tombs of all Panchen Lamas and the 15th Dalai Lama. In the main temple there is an ancient statue of Maitreya Buddha (26 m high).
Gyantse is the third city and an important transit point, strategically located at the junction of several major trade routes. The city’s main attractions are Pango Monastery (13th century), Palkhor Chode Monastery, and Kumbum Chorten Temple. They preserve some of the finest works of art in Tibet.
Kailash is a sacred mountain (6,714 m). This peak in Western Tibet is a holy mountain for Buddhists and Hindus.