Tibet
Tibet
The picturesque region of Tibet is located north of the Himalayas and annually plays host to various ethnic groups, religious pilgrims, and tourists. The Tibetan people live in the highest region on Earth, sometimes referred to as the “Roof of the World,” with an average elevation of 16,000 feet.
Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and served as the home of the Dalai Lama until 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama was forced to flee the area following the Tibetan Rebellion, a failed uprising against a Chinese invasion of the region. Today, Tibet is controlled by the People’s Republic of China, but many still call for independence from China, including monks at many of the largest and most prominent Tibetan monasteries.
Despite the ongoing call for political independence, Tibet still remains a spiritual place, with Buddhism as the dominant religion (although there are Christians and Muslims). Buddhism has had a significant influence on the people and their lifestyles, affecting everything from art to music and from architecture to cultural traditions.
