Tibet Autonomous Region

The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), often called Tibet, or known in Chinese as Xizang, and in Tibetan as Bod (Tibetan: བོད) is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It was created in 1965 to replace the Tibet Area, an older area of the Republic of China.

The current borders of the Tibet Autonomous Region were mostly set in the 18th century. They include about half of cultural Tibet, which was sometimes independent and sometimes under the rule of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty or the Qing dynasty. The TAR covers more than 1,200,000 km² (460,000 sq mi) and is the second-largest province-level division of China by size. Because the land is tough and rugged, it has only about 3.6 million people, or roughly 3 people for every square kilometre (7.8/sq mi).

Names

Main article: Etymology of Tibet

In Chinese, the region is called Zang, which refers to Tibetan culture, and Xizang, meaning "Western Zang". This name has been used in Chinese records since 1724. In the Western world, the name "Thibet" has been used since 1827.

History

Main article: History of Tibet

In the 6th century, the 39th Tibetan king, Namri Songtsen, started to bring nearby tribes together. After he died, his son Songtsen Gampo kept working on this, taking over many lands around Tibet.

The Yarlung kings made the Tibetan Empire in 618. By the late 700s, it was very big, but after a civil war in 842, it split into smaller parts. Later, the Mongols conquered Tibet and ruled it while letting local leaders keep some power.

In 1642, a new government was set up by a Mongol leader and the 5th Dalai Lama. Tibet stayed this way until 1717. After that, China’s Qing rulers took control. Tibet was mostly independent from 1912 to 1950, though China still said it was part of their country.

In 1950, the army of the new People’s Republic of China moved into Tibet. In 1951, Tibetan leaders agreed to join China. But by 1959, many Tibetans were unhappy, and a big protest happened in Lhasa. The 14th Dalai Lama left Tibet and went to India. The Tibet Autonomous Region was created in 1965, giving Tibet some special self-rule within China.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tibet

See also: Southwestern China

The Tibet Autonomous Region is on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest area. In northern Tibet, heights are over 4,572 metres (15,000 ft). Mount Everest is on Tibet's border with Nepal.

To the north, northeast, and east are China’s areas of Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Sichuan. To the southeast is Yunnan Province. The countries around it to the south and southwest are Nepal, Myanmar, India, and Bhutan.

The region has two main parts: a lakes area in the west and northwest, and a river area on three sides. Both get little rain because they are in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. The lakes area is a windy grassland called the Chang Tang or ‘Northern Plateau’. It is very dry, with many salt lakes and hot springs.

The river area has fertile valleys with rivers such as the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which becomes the Brahmaputra. The Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon is possibly the deepest canyon in the world. Valleys like those around Lhasa are well-watered and good for farming.

Politics

See also: People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region, List of modern political leaders of Tibet, and List of current Chinese provincial leaders

The Tibet Autonomous Region is part of the People's Republic of China. Chinese law says the region has some freedom in areas like education and language use. The region is run by a People's Government, led by a chairman. The chairman works under the guidance of the regional secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. The most important group making decisions in the region is the standing committee of the regional Communist Party Committee. The current chairman is Garma Cedain and the current party secretary is Wang Junzheng.^{[citation needed]} Leaders in Beijing decide policies about Tibet.

Administrative divisions

For a more comprehensive list, see List of administrative divisions of the Tibet Autonomous Region and List of township-level divisions of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Autonomous Region is divided into seven prefecture-level divisions: six prefecture-level cities and one prefecture.

These are further divided into 66 counties and 8 districts (Chengguan, Doilungdêqên, Dagzê, Samzhubzê, Karub, Bayi, Nêdong, and Seni).

Demographics

Further information: Chinese settlements in Tibet

Tibet has few people because the land is hard and rugged. Only about two people live in each square kilometer. In 2024, most people in Tibet lived in the countryside, and only about 40% lived in towns. In 2020, around three million people lived in Tibet.

Most people in Tibet are ethnic Tibetans. They mainly follow Tibetan Buddhism or Bon, an older religion. There are also smaller groups of other ethnicities, such as Hui, Salar, and Han Chinese. Many Han Chinese moved to Tibet more recently.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Tibet

Buddhism has been the main religion in Tibet since the 8th century. Before Buddhism arrived, many Tibetans followed Bon, an older religion. Today, most Tibetans are Buddhist, but some still follow Bon or other local beliefs.

Some Han Chinese living in Tibet follow their own Chinese folk religion. There are also a few mosques and a Catholic church in the region.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Tibet

From 1951 to 2003, life in Tibet got much better. People lived longer, from about 36 years to 67 years. Fewer babies died, and many families were happier.

Before 1951, Tibet had different rules. Because it was hard to know what was happening, it's difficult to say exactly what life was like.

In the 1980s, a leader named Hu Yaobang visited Tibet. He thought some rules were too strict and made changes to help people.

Towns and villages in Tibet

Further information: List of populated places in the Tibet Autonomous Region

Comfortable Housing Program

In 2006, about 280,000 people in Tibet who lived in old villages or moved with their animals were moved to new towns and villages. The government built new homes and improved old ones for around 2 million people. People with simple homes had to tear them down and rebuild following government rules. Many people paid for these changes themselves, sometimes using loans. This program, called "Comfortable Housing," started earlier in Qinghai, where 300,000 people who moved with their animals were settled. It is part of a bigger plan called "Build a New Socialist Countryside." Some groups felt this changed Tibetan culture in ways they did not like. People who moved sometimes had trouble finding new jobs because they were used to working the land. The government helps them with money during this time. In 2011, it was said that 20,000 government workers would be sent to these new towns.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tibet

The Tibet Autonomous Region gets money from the central government to help with services like health care and education. This support helps make life better and encourages growth.

Traditionally, Tibetans worked in farming. But since the 1980s, new jobs have appeared, like driving taxis and working in hotels. The service sector, with jobs in shops and hotels, is now very important. The region has also grown in building and infrastructure.

The collection of a special fungus called Cordyceps sinensis, known locally as Yartsa Gunbu, is an important source of income for many rural families. Policies like the China Western Development program aim to help the economy in western China, including Tibet.

Education

Tibet has several schools for higher learning, including Tibet University, Tibet University for Nationalities, and Tibet University of Traditional Tibetan Medicine. There are also colleges such as Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry College, Lhasa Teachers College, Tibet Police Officers Institute, and Tibet Vocational and Technical College.

The government has spent a lot of money on schools and learning in Tibet. This helps make sure that children and adults have good opportunities to study and learn.

Tourism

See also: Visa policy of mainland China § Tibet Autonomous Region

Foreign visitors were allowed to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region in the 1980s. The Potala Palace in Lhasa is the main place people go, but there are many other popular spots like the Jokhang Temple, Namtso Lake, and Tashilhunpo Monastery. Tourism is still limited for people who are not from China, and they need special permits to enter the region.

Transportation

A report from 2019 said that Tibet has many roads.

Airports

Tibet has several airports, including Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Qamdo Bangda Airport, Nyingchi Airport, and Gunsa Airport.

Gunsa Airport in Ngari Prefecture started working in 2010. The Peace Airport in Shigatse opened later that same year.

In 2010, plans were announced for Nagqu Dagring Airport, which would be the highest airport in the world.

Railway

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway from Golmud to Lhasa finished building in 2005 and started regular trips in 2006. This railway includes the Tanggula Pass, the highest railway in the world.

The Lhasa–Shigatse Railway from Lhasa to Shigatse was completed in 2014 and opened for regular use that same year. There are also plans for a railway from China to Nepal that will connect Shigatse to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Building started on the Sichuan–Tibet Railway in 2015.