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Around Tibet
Lhasa, the capital of the
Tibet Autonomous Region, is located at the north bank of the Kyichu River, a
tributary of the Yarlong Tsangpo river, at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea
level. It has been the center of politic, culture and religion in Tibet
for more than 1,300 years. Its name--"Lhasa" means "the land of Gods" in
Tibetan. Palace and temples abound!
It snows only once or twice
a year in Lhasa and due to the perpetual bright sunshine, daytime temperatures
are not harsh even in the coldest winters.
Buddhism was influenced by
local religion, called Bon, and developed into a form called Lamaism. By
the 10th century, the religious movement began to assert political leadership as
well. In 1573, a reincarnation of Tsongkapa, the founder of the 'yellow
hat' sect devoted to religious reform, became the first Dalai Lama.
With a long history and
unique natural environment, Tibet boasts of rich ethnic folklore and magnificent
highland scenery. However, long ago, the land now known as Tibet was just
a vast expanse of sea. Only at the time of the Himalayan orogenic movement
did Tibet evolve to become the highest plateau on the earth.
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