Tibet, China the very
name evokes feelings of awe and mystery. Tibet is surely
a destination apart from most in
the world, the rolling hills of the high plateau and
the stunning Himalayas are none to any. But, Tibet is
an exception. Refereed as Shangri La, The Forbidden
Land, The Roof of the World and by many more, the mysterious
Buddhist Kingdom remained long closed to foreigners,
exerting a strong hold on the imagination of the world.
For centuries, it has fascinated mankind. It was hardly
accessible to the outside world and has been always
a challenge to human beings. Tibet, a "forbidden
land" not only by man but also by nature, attracted
many explorers, scholars, and pilgrims and adventure
lovers, all in pursuit of "Real Shangrila".
It is not only the geographical and natural enchants
but also a long historical culture and religion that
appeal the foreigners to visit Tibet at least once in
a lifetime.
Tibet covers 1.2 million sq.kms constituting one eighth
of China's land mass, nearly as large as the total territories
of Germany and France. With an average elevation of
4,000 meters above sea level, and over 50 peaks above
7,000 meters, Tibet has become a real paradise for mountaineers
and explorers.
Lhasa
is the spiritual and political capital of Tibet. Lhasa
means in Tibetan " The land of gods". There
are numerous scenic spots and historical attractions,
among which Potala Palace, Nobulingka, Drepung Monastery,
Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Jokhang Temple
being the most famous. Shigatse is the second biggest
town in Tibet. Shigatse means in Tibetan "The Estate
that fulfills one's Wishes ". Tashilhunpo Monastery
is its major historic attraction. Mt. Kailash, the near-legendary
mountain in western Tibet is holy to both Hinduism and
Buddhism. People come from far away lands to perform
a pilgrimage, one even circle the mountain on the stomach.
The mountain is the source of four major Asian rivers.
