Tibet is situated on the Qingzang (Qinghai-Tibet) Plateau. It has the world's highest mountains and several large, rushing rivers. Its unique culture, celebrated monasteries and magnificent scenery make it charming and mysterious.

Tibetans are either nomads or farmers raising barley, yak, and sheep. Different tribes wear dresses of distinctive style. In the seventh century, the king of Tubo, Songsten Gampo, married Wen Cheng, a Tang princess who introduced Chinese culture into the Tubo.

Religion is most important in the lives of Tibetans. They practice Lamaism, a sect of Buddhism that believes strongly in reincarnation and a torturous hell for sinners. When each incarnation dies, Chenrezi's spirit takes on the body of another Tibetan child at birth. If the child recognizes objects he used in the previous incarnation, he is chosen to be the successive Dalai Lama.

Among Tibetan customs is the giving of Hada, a long silk scarf that symbolizes esteem and good luck. Also well know is the burial, or lack of burial practice; the remains of the dead are cut up by funeral workers at dawn to feed vultures. Tibetans believe these birds will take the spirits to heaven.

Today, Tibet has 50 monasteries open. The mountains, including Mount Qomolangma, are impressive in their height and snow covering.

The Potala Palace perches on a lofty cliff. It is 13 stories high, with 1000 rooms, 10,000 chapels and tombs of eight Dalai Lamas. It was built by Songsten Gampo, and was the official residence of Dalai Lama. From the 18th century, the palace was used only in the winter.

The Jokhang Temple, the most important Buddhist temple in Tibet, is located in the heart of Lhasa. Princess Wen Cheng brought with her the seated statue of the child Sakyamuni when she arrived. Tibetans believe that the statue was made by the Buddha himself. The Great Prayer Festival is held there annually in temples full of worshippers.

The Sera Monastery was built in 1419. It is one of the four major monasteries in Tibet. The Drepung Monastery, another one of the major four monasteries, was built in 1416. It has a white conch and a glides Buddha. Norbulingka Park, once the summer residence of Dalai Lama, is set in a 100-acre garden and has 370 rooms.

Zhangmu is a place on the Tibet side of the Nepal border. You can see a pastoral and forest areas and live in yak-hair tents.