Where is Tibet? 90% of People are Wrong!
Are you still confused about the general term “Tibetan Area”? Is Tibet equal to Tibetan Area?
What exactly is “Amdo” “Kham” and “U-Tsang” that we often heard of?
Do you still only think of Potala Palace and Mt. everest when talking about Tibet? And thinking you'll only have to get a Tibet permit to visit Tibet?
Don't worry, today we will explain everything about Tibet to you in the most comprehensible way! And to introduce you the absolutely stunning side of Tibet you never knew about!
Is "Tibet" equal to "Tibetan Area"?
- No
To put it simply, Tibet belongs to Tibetan Area, but Tibetan Region is far more than just Tibet.
Usually, Tibet refers to “Tibet Autonomous Region” - TAR. TAR is regarded as what the item Tibet indicates by most people globally in the modern world.
However, Tibet Autonomous Region covers only 50% of the land mass of the Tibetan Plateau. Roughly 60% of the Tibetan people live outside of the TAR in other regions of Tibet.
The term “Tibetan Area” encompasses the entire Tibetan Plateau where the Tibetan people are native to. This includes all counties of TAR, 95% of the land area of Qinghai province, southwest Gansu, northern Sichuan, western Sichuan, and far northwest Yunnan.
Traditionally Tibet is divided into three specific regions - U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo.
*Useful info:
For foreigners making a tour to Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibet permits is required. But if you making a Tibet tour to other Tibetan areas, like Amdo Tibetan Area or Kham Tibetan Area, you do not need to apply for Tibet permits.
Where is “Amdo”“Kham” and “U-Tsang”?
According to various topographic features and the dialects distribution, Tibetan-populated area used to be divided into three proportions, namely U-tsang, Amdo, and Kham in Tibetan. Together they comprise the majority parts of Tibetan Plateau.
U-Tsang
land of faith
卫藏
Including-TAR: Lhasa/Shigatse/Shannan/Ngari
U-tsang is situated in the south-central Tibet in the old time and now, with the capital city Lhasa as the regional center. It indicates the area with Lhasa, Shigatse, Shannan, and Ngari and believed as the most fundamental part of Tibet in the history and now, with the religious and administrative significance. Beside the renowned Polata Palace and Mt. everest, there's so much more stunning natural and cultural sites to see!
Hidden gems of U-Tsang
Zhada Earth Forest
📍 Ngari, Tibet
札达土林，阿里，西藏
Ruins of Guge Kingdom
📍 Ngari, Tibet
古格王朝遗址，阿里，西藏
Qilin Gorge
📍 Shigatse, Tibet
奇林峡，日喀则，西藏
Yerpa
📍 Lhasa, Tibet
扎叶巴寺，拉萨，西藏
Kula Kangri
📍 Shannan, Tibet
库拉冈日，山南，西藏
Gyantse Fortress
📍 Shigatse, Tibet
宗山遗址，日喀则，西藏
Kham
thousand mountains
康巴
Including-
Sichuan: Garzê Prefecture
Yunnan: Diqing Prefecture
TAR: Chamdo/east Nyingchi
Situated in the Hengduan Mountain area of east Tibetan Plateau, Kham region is also considered as the "Greater Shangri-La Core Area" and renowned for it's magnificent nature, such as the world-famous Daocheng Yading and Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is also the transition zone between the habitants of Han Chinese and Tibetan and believed as the "corridor of culture"
Cuopugou
📍 Garze, Sichuan
措普沟，甘孜，四川
White Water Terrace · Baishuitai
📍Diqing, Yunnan
白水台，迪庆，云南
Laigu Glacier & Rakwa Tso
📍 Chamdo, Tibet
来古冰川 & 然乌湖，昌都，西藏
Zizhu Temple
📍Changdu, Tibet
孜珠寺，昌都，西藏
Mount Gongga
📍 Garze, Sichuan
贡嘎雪山，甘孜，四川
Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy
📍 Garze, Sichuan
色达五明佛学院，甘孜，四川
Tagong Grassland & Tagong Monastery
📍 Garze, Sichuan
塔公草原 & 塔公寺，甘孜，四川
Daocheng Yading
📍 Garze, Sichuan
稻城亚丁，甘孜，四川
Amdo
land of nomads
安多
Including-
Sichuan: Ngawa Prefecture
Gansu: Gannan
Qinghai: 95% of Qinghai province
TAR: Nagqu
Amdo covers most of Qinghai Province, part of northwest Sichuan Province, and southwest of Gansu Province. It has always contributed as the biggest pastureland in the Tibetan-populated area, breeding good horses. Influenced greatly by the two ethnic neighbors Han Chinese and Mongolians, the folk custom and culture here though still typically Tibetan, are very distinctive by the amalgamation.
Lianbaoyeze
📍 Ngawa, Sichuan
莲宝叶则，阿坝，四川
Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong
📍Ngawa, Sichuan
九寨沟 & 黄龙，阿坝，四川
Ganjia Grassland & Baishiya
📍Gannan, Gansu
甘加草原 & 白石崖，甘南，甘肃
Namtso
📍Nagqu, Tibet
纳木错，那曲，西藏
Tibetan Area is a vast and diverse region full of undiscovered natural wonders and cutural miracles. It takes Joseph Rock nearly 30 years to explore yet mystery still remain.
If you are fascinated by Tibetan culture, yet find it difficult to visit TAR right now, head for western Sichuan, Gannan Gansu, Diqing Yunnan would be the ideal choice. Trust us, these beautiful destinations will surprise you in every aspect!
Special Offers
OKDeal Travel offers a variety of Tibetan Regions Tour packages to suit all your traveling needs. Whether it’s going on a remote camping trip or relaxing at a luxurious resort, we could help you design exactly the vacation you want. Read through the list of specials and see if anything catches your eye. Get in touch to start planning your next getaway today.
【7-Day Tibet to Nepal】The Trans-Himalayan Escape
Multiple Dates Available
Starting From 6990rmb/person
Lhasa to Kathmandu in 7 days via Everest Base Camp! Cross 943km of Himalayan wonders, stand before mighty Everest (8,848m), and experience Tibet's raw beauty along the legendary Sino-Nepal Highway.
A soul-stirring adventure where every mile thrills. Ready for the journey of a lifetime?
【8-Day Classic Tibet】Lhasa - Shigaste
Multiple Dates Available
Starting from 6990rmb / person
A classic 8-day tour that includes all of the iconic Tibet destinations, offering fabulous monasteries, breathtaking high-altitude walks, stunning views of the world’s highest mountains and one of the warmest cultures you will ever encounter.
An ideal choice to fully experience the magnificient nature and fascinating culture of the sacred land of the Himalaya.