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tibet landscape |
Author:sichuan Source:china-panda time:2006-3-28 |
Tibet, the Roof of the World with an average elevation of some 4,000 meters above sea level, covers over 1.2 million square km in southwest China. The region teems with snow-covered mountains, surging rivers, alpine lakes, pasturelands filled with grazing flocks of sheep and cows, and river valleys brimming with thriving fields of highland barley. Visitors to the region are also enchanted by the many majestic ancient monasteries and rather unsophisticated dances performed to undulating musical accompaniment.
Tibet is a land of mountains, with the Tanggula range to the north, the Himalayas to the south, the Henduan Mountains to the east, the Kunlun Mountains to the west, and the Nyainqentanglha and Kangdese ranges in the center. The Himalayas, geologically speaking the world's youngest and highest mountain range, snake 2,400 km from east to west, and extend between 200-300 km in breadth from north to south. The elongated range boasts 50-plus peaks rising to over 7,000 meter above sea level each, and an additional 11 peaks each reaching elevations of over 8,000 meters. The intense concentration of high mountain peaks is a phenomenon rarely found anywhere else in the world. Qomolangma, which rises 8,848.13 meters in the shape of a giant pyramid, is the world's highest mountain peak. Lozi, the world's fourth highest peak, rises some 8,501 meters in the south; Markalu, the world's fifth highest peak at 8,470 meters, lies to the east; Qowowuyag, the seventh highest peak at 8,153 meters, to the west; and Xixabangma, which lies still further to the west, soars to 8,012 meters. Nonetheless, the unique scenery of Qomolangma continues to lead the long list of majestic peaks in attracting worldwide attention.
Clouds, which often envelope Qomolangma like a shroud, sometimes appear to surge by like a tidal wave, at other times drift gently away like smoke from a chimney, or on still other occasions appear as mysterious as a veiled beauty. Visitors often sit patiently at the foot of Qomolangma for hours simply to catch a glimpse of the spectacular scenes.
Glaciers, natural treasures in varied shapes, constitute yet another aspect of the majestic scenery of Qomolangma. Rongbo, the longest and most extensive glacier, is found on the northern slopes of Qomolangma. Ice formations resembling mushrooms sits atop stems of ice rising as high as five meters; they are uniquely beautiful. Foreboding walls of ice appear to reach out to the Heavens, with ice pagodas pointing skyward like swords or bell towers found in ancient monasteries. The unique scenery also include ice tables, ice bridges, ice pillars, ice caves and various other formations. Many of them formed decades ago and still others have been in place for well over a century. Glaciologists agree that Qomolangma and Xixabangma are home to the world's most spectacular ice pagodas.
Well over 20 rivers in the Tibet Autonomous Region have drainage areas of 10,000 square km each, with an additional 100-odd rivers having drainage areas of over 2,000 square km each. The region is also home to some 1,500 lakes with a total surface area of 24,183 square km, or some one-third of the total lake surface area in China.
Tibetans refer to the Yarlung Zangbo River, the longest river in the region, as the "Cradle of Tibet" or the "Mother River." The Yarlung Zhangbo, words meaning "snow water from high mountains" in the Tibetan language, meanders some 2,091 km within the borders of China. The river, which finds its source on the Gyaimanezong Glacier in Zongba County in the northern foothills of the Himalayas, flows like a silver thread from west to east across the southern section of the Tibet Plateau. Tributaries found in the extensive river valley include the Nyang Qu, Lhasa and Nyang rivers. The Yarlung Zangbo River eventually reaches the border counties of Mainling and Medog where it is blocked by Namjagbarwa, the highest Himalayan peak in east Tibet. Over the millennia, the river has formed China's "Grand Canyon", a massive canyon in the shape of a horse's hoof. The canyon stretches 494.3 km from the entry to the exit. To its south is the 7,782-meter peak known as Namjagbarwa, and to its north is the Lagyabedi, another peak rising 7,234 meters above sea level. The two giant peaks sit at either end of the canyon much like massive gates. The widest span from the peaks to the lowest river water surface measures 5,382 meters, with the narrowest width of the river channel measuring a mere 74 meters. The faces of steep precipices drop straight to the river which continues its course by forming surging rapids. Chinese scientist contend that the canyon is the longest and largest of its kind in the world in terms of both length and depth. Just as Qomolangma, the canyon is fully expected to emerge as a new popular tourist site in Tibet.
Most alpine lakes in the highlands are fed by water flowing from the melting snow on mountains. Nam Co, the largest holy lake in the region, lies tucked away in northern Tibet at an elevation of 4,718 meters above sea level. The lake covers 1,920 square km and features crystal clear blue water. The water clarity of Tibet's lakes most often reach depths of between 10-14 meters. The Mapam Yumco Lake in Ngari sits at the highest altitude of any lake in the world. The holy lake attracts an endless flow of pilgrims from Nepal and India, and is famous for its natural scenery which includes large flocks of sheep and herds of cows grazing on lush grass, as well as the untold number of ducks and swans living in their natural habitat on the numerous islets. Fishing boats ply the waters casting beautiful reflections on the rippling lake water.
The Northern Tibet Grasslands covers well over 400,000 square km and is one of the five major pastoral areas in China. The ancient word for the grasslands is Changtang meaning "highlands in the north." This vast, but sparsely populated, part of the world is the natural habitat to numerous wildlife species, including wild long-horned Tibetan antelope capable of running at speeds as high as 100 km/hr. Hundreds of antelopes are often found together, with tens of thousands sometimes congregating in one particular area. Wild yaks, sometimes weighing as much as 1,000 kg, are considered to be the strongest wildlife species living in the Northern Tibet Grasslands. Yaks have long thick hair, especially on their bellies, and move deliberately much like a general clad in heavy battle regalia. Wild Tibetan donkeys are often seen stampeding across the grasslands. Northern Tibet, which is also home to an additional 100-odd species, such as the black-neck crane, snow leopard, argalis and brown panda, is one of the world's few remaining pristine ecological environments.
River valleys in southeastern Tibet rise to elevations of a mere 1,000 meters above sea level. Bome, Zayu and Lhoyu are richly endowed with plant resources, including dragon spruce, which are often over 200 years old. Trees have diameters of between 92 cm-2.5 meters and rise to heights of between 57-80 meters much like giant forest monoliths. Archeologists consider a vast grove of ancient cypress trees in the Nyingchi area as living fossils, with the estimated age of the oldest tree being an amazing 2,500 years. In fact, available statistics indicate that Tibet is home to over 5,000 species of higher grade plant species.
Other major tourist attractions in Tibet include the Tombs of Tibetan Kings, Yungbolhakang, the Jokhang Monastery, the Potala Palace, the city ruins of the Guge Kingdom, and the castle at the summit of Zongshan Mountain. The latter gained fame as the site where the Tibetans bravely battled invading British forces.
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2009 Tibet Tour
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Classical tibet tour |
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These tours cover the World Heritage Sites of the Potala and Jokhang Temple and the Barkhor Pilgrimage circuit, the huge monastic institution of Drepung and Sera Monastery, and also the holy lake - Namtso lake, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse, shigatse Tashilhunpo Monastery, Nyingchi, E.B.C...
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Kham overland tour |
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These route are two main routes of Sichuan-Tibet Highway which links the Tibetan areas of Western Sichuan with mainland Tibet. The journey goes through the wild, mountainous and remote Tibetan areas of Western Sichuan, you will be amazed to see that Tibetan culture is in many ways better preserved here. The route offers an insight to the culture, custume and tradition of Khama people.
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All the way from Lhasa to Mt.Kailash, you will visit Gyantse, Shigatse, Sakya, Lake Monasarovar. Make a 3-day trek around holy Mt.Kailash...
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Tibet is a land of rich cultual and ecological contrasts. The most popular trekking is in the centre of the region, around the major towns and highways. In our tibet trekking tour, we have recommended 5 popular trekking routes in Tibet, with a fantastic walking, superb scenery.
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