Locked away in its Himalayan fortress, Tibet can truly be described as the roof of the world and its capital, Lhasa, is the heart and soul of this fascinating place. Despite the Chinese influence, it remains a city of wonders, from the splendor of the Potala Palace, which dominates the skyline, to the bustle of the local markets. Then, of course there are the temples and monasteries such as the Jokhang and the Drepung Monastery where one can soak up the atmosphere of the rich Buddhist culture.
Tibet in Brief
Location: Asia Area: 471,700 sq.miles, border 2.5million sq.km, approx. the size of Western Europe Terrain: 70% Grassland, from high plateau to tropical forest. Climate: Average temperature 21(-8) degrees Celsius in summer 7(-15) in winter, extremely dry except during raining season (July-August) Population: 2.62 million Ethnic group: Ethnic Tibetans, Menba, Lhoba, Mongols, Hui and a growing number of Han Chinese. Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Animism Culture: Wedding, funeral Languages: Tibetan, Chinese Festivals: Tibetan New Year, Shoton festival, bathing festival Currency: Chinese Yuan Renmindi (CNY) Time: Local Time
