Tibet

Region · 🇨🇳 China

Population 3,648,100

Area 1,217,682 km²

Time zone Asia/Shanghai, Asia/Kolkata

Official website www.xizang.gov.cn

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Featured Lists

Leon Petrosyan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tibet Autonomous Region: The Absolute Essentials

This selection highlights the architectural and spiritual landmarks of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It features the Potala Palace, the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama, and the 7th-century Jokhang Monastery, the spiritual center of Lhasa. The list includes major monastic universities like Sera and Tashilhunpo, the seat of the State Oracle at Nechung, and the ancient Tradruk Temple in the Yarlung Valley. For natural significance, it encompasses Mount Kailash, a sacred pilgrimage site in the remote Ngari Prefecture.

8 places

Sarat Chandra Das / Public domain

Iconic Monasteries and Temples

This collection highlights the architectural and spiritual pillars of Tibetan Buddhism, centered around Lhasa and Shigatse. It includes the Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, and the Jokhang Temple, considered the region's most sacred site. The list features the 'great three' Gelug university monasteries alongside historic sites like Tashilhunpo, the seat of the Panchen Lama. These locations showcase unique Himalayan architecture, ancient murals, and the seat of the State Oracle at Nechung.

15 places

Moumine / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Majestic Mountains and Glaciers

This collection features high-altitude landmarks across the Tibetan Plateau, including the sacred Mount Kailash, a primary pilgrimage site for four religions. The list highlights strategic mountain passes like Semo La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, and Bum La on the border with India. It also covers remote summits of the Kunlun range and significant ice masses, such as the Purog Kangri glacier, the largest ice field outside the polar regions.

11 places

Defense Mapping Agency / Public domain

Tibetan Lakes and Reservoirs

This collection features the high-altitude endorheic lakes and reservoirs of the Tibetan Plateau. It includes Siling Lake, Tibet's largest body of water, and the sacred, deep waters of Tangra Yumco. These salt and freshwater basins, such as Zhari Namco and Ngangla Ring Tso, are vital to the region's delicate ecosystem and geological study. Located primarily within the Nagqu and Ngari prefectures, these sites showcase unique features like crenogenic meromictic formations and expansive saline flats characteristic of the world's highest plateau.

19 places

Natural Wonders and Artistry

Explore the diverse landscapes of Tibet, ranging from the high-altitude Semo La pass at 5,565 metres to the lush alpine forests of Lulang. This collection features significant natural sites like the sacred Tangra Yumco and Zhari Namco salt lakes, alongside dramatic waterfalls in the Yarlung Tsangpo region. The list also includes unique hillside geoglyphs and large-scale cobblestone artworks that mark the remote mountain slopes of the plateau.

16 places