Lhasa

Tibet, historic region and autonomous region of China that is often called “the roof of the world.” It occupies a vast area of plateaus and mountains in Central Asia, including Mount Everest (Qomolangma [or Zhumulangma] Feng; Tibetan: Chomolungma). It is bordered by the Chinese provinces of Qinghai to the northeast, Sichuan to the east, and Yunnan to the southeast; by Myanmar (Burma), India, Bhutan, and Nepal to the south; by the disputed Kashmir region to the west; and by the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang to the northwest. Lhasa is the capital city. The name Tibet is derived from the Mongolian Thubet, the Chinese Tufan, the Tai Thibet, and the Arabic Tubbat. Tibet is one of the world’s best-known tourist destinations, renowned as a mecca for mountaineering and adventurism, cultural and scientific exploration, and religious pilgrimage. Considerable effort has been made to expand tourist services in Lhasa and other localities, and tourism has become a pillar of the Tibetan economy. Most notable is the historic Potala Palace complex in Lhasa, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Also popular with tourists are the Tsuglagkhang, or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple and the Norbuglingka (Nor-bu-gling-ka; Jewel Palace), both at Lhasa; the Tashihlungbo Monastery in Xigazê; and the Palcho (Baiju) Monastery in Gyangzê. Tibet is the staging area for mountaineering in the northern Himalayas, particularly for expeditions to the North Face of Mount Everest. Another popular scenic area is the “Grand Canyon” of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) River in southeastern Tibet, a gorge nearly 300 miles (500 km) long; in its deepest stretch, south of Namjagbarwa (Namcha Barwa) Peak, the gorge has an average depth of some 16,500 feet (5,000 metres).