The Tibet Autonomous Region, perched on the southwest Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a southwestern frontier region in China. At an average altitude of 4,000 metres, Tibet is the world's largest and highest plateau known as the 'Roof of the World'. The world's largest canyon the Yalung Zangbo Canyou, is in Tibet. In the mid-7th century, Songtsan Gambo established the unified Tubo dynasty and befriended the Tang Dynasty by marrying Princess Wencheng in 641 AD. In the mid-13th century, Tibet was incorporated as an administrative region of the Yuan Dynasty. Peaceful liberation came in 1951, and serfdom was abolished during the Democratic Reform of 1959. The Tibet Autonomous Region was officially established in 1965. Breathtaking is hardly an adequate word for Tibet's landscape, which consists of snow-capped mountains of astonishing heights, primitive forests, vast steppes, mighty rivers, the world's highest lakes, and exotic wildlife and plants. Tibetans, who make up upwards of 90 percent of the local population, are born singers and dancers with a splendid civilization. Buddhist art thrives, and among the region's 2,700 temples are such famous ones as the Potala Palace, the Norbulinka Palace, the Jokhong Temple, and the Tashilhunpo Monastery.

High Altitude Sickness

Most visitors to Tibet will suffer from at least some symptoms about High Altitude Sickness that will generally disappear through acclimatization in several hours to several days. The effect of HAS usually remains two days till the body acclimatizes. Headache, nausea, vomiting and short breath are the common symptoms. To avoid HAS take garlic soup, more water frequently. Diamox tabs are also recommended.

Symptoms tend to be worse at night and include headache, dizziness, and lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and irritability. Difficulty sleeping is another common symptom, and many travelers have trouble sleeping for the first few days after arriving in Lhasa.

How to prevent acute mountain sickness?

• Drink extra fluids. The mountain air is dry and cold and moisture is lost as you breathe. Evaporation of sweat may occur unnoticed and result in dehydration.
• Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy.
• Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke.
• Avoid sedatives.
• Don't push yourself when climbing up to passes, rather take plenty of breaks.
• Avoid catching cold before you entering Tibet.

Tibet at a Glance

Location: Asia

Area: 471,700 sq. miles border 2.5 million sq.km, approximately the size of Western Europe

Terrain: 70% Grassland, from high plateau to tropical forest

Climate: Average temperature 21-8 degrees Celsius (summer) 7-15 (in winter), extremely dry except during raining season (July-August)

Population: 2.62 million

Religions: Tibetan Buddhism, and Animism

Languages: Tibetan, Chinese

Currency: Chinese Yuan