Tibet Autonomous Region

The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), often shortened to Tibet, or referred to in Chinese as Xizang, and in Tibetan as Bod (Tibetan: བོད) is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It was established in 1965 to replace the Tibet Area, a former administrative division of the Republic of China.

The current borders of the Tibet Autonomous Region were generally established in the 18th century and include about half of cultural Tibet, which was at times independent and at times either under the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty or Qing dynasty rule. The TAR spans more than 1,200,000 km² (460,000 sq mi) and is the second-largest province-level division of China by area. Due to its harsh and rugged terrain, it has a total population of only 3.6 million people or approximately 3 inhabitants per 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 and might come from older terms in other languages.

History

Main article: History of Tibet

In the 6th century, the 39th Tibetan king, Namri Songtsen, began to bring nearby tribes under control. After his death, his son Songtsen Gampo continued this work, taking over many lands and kingdoms around Tibet.

The Yarlung kings created the Tibetan Empire in 618. By the late 700s, it was very large, 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 claimed it as 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 found on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest area. In northern Tibet, heights average over 4,572 metres (15,000 ft). Mount Everest sits on Tibet's border with Nepal.

China’s areas of Xinjiang, Qinghai and Sichuan are to the north, northeast and east. It also borders Yunnan Province to the southeast. Countries surrounding 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 spreading out 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 a part of the People's Republic of China. Chinese law says that 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. This chairman has usually been a Tibetan person, except for a time during the Cultural Revolution. 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 using the Central Tibet Work Coordination Group, which is usually led by the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

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 very few people living there because the land is hard and rugged, with only about two people living in each square kilometer. In 2024, most people in Tibet still lived in the countryside, with only about 40% living in towns. In 2020, around three million people lived in Tibet.

Most people in Tibet are ethnic Tibetans, making up 86% of the population. They mainly follow Tibetan Buddhism or Bon, an older religion. There are also smaller groups of other ethnicities living in Tibet, 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 that mixed with Buddhism over time. 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 improved a lot. People lived longer, from about 36 years to 67 years. Fewer babies died, and many families were better off.

Before 1951, Tibet had different rules and ways of treating people. Because of strict control over news and information, it's hard to know exactly what happened back then.

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

Towns and villages in Tibet

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

Comfortable Housing Program

Starting in 2006, around 280,000 people from 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 about 2 million people. People living in simple homes had to tear them down and rebuild using government rules. Many people paid for these changes themselves, sometimes using loans. This program, called "Comfortable Housing," began 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 have said this changed Tibetan culture in ways they did not like. People who moved often found it hard to get 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 receives a lot of money from the central government to help provide services like health care and education. This support helps reduce differences between regions and encourages economic growth.

Traditionally, Tibetans relied on farming, but since the 1980s, new jobs in areas like driving taxis and working in hotels have appeared. By 2023, the region's economy was worth nearly 239.3 billion yuan (about 33.6 billion U.S. dollars). The service sector, including jobs in shops and hotels, has become very important for the economy. The region has also seen strong growth in building and infrastructure. In 2022, the economy of Tibet was worth over 213 billion yuan, with each person earning about CN¥58,438 (US$8,688).

The collection of a special fungus called Cordyceps sinensis, known locally as Yartsa Gunbu, is a key source of income for many rural families. Additionally, policies like the China Western Development program aim to boost 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.

Since at least 2019, the government has spent a lot of money on schools and learning in Tibet, more than in many other parts of China. 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 go to the Tibet Autonomous Region starting in the 1980s. The Potala Palace in Lhasa is the main place people visit, but there are many other popular spots like the Jokhang Temple, Namtso Lake, and Tashilhunpo Monastery. However, tourism is still limited for people who are not from China, and they need special permits to enter the region.

In 2024, over 63.89 million tourists from inside and outside China visited the area.

Transportation

A report from 2019 said that Tibet has many roads, covering a total of 118,800 kilometers.

Airports

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

Gunsa Airport in Ngari Prefecture started working on July 1, 2010, becoming the fourth airport in Tibet. The Peace Airport in Shigatse opened for public use on October 30, 2010.

In 2010, plans were announced for Nagqu Dagring Airport, which would be the highest airport in the world, but building it has taken more time than expected.

Railway

The Qinghai–Tibet Railway from Golmud to Lhasa finished building on October 12, 2005, and started regular trips on July 1, 2006. Trains go between Golmud and Lhasa, and connect to many big cities. 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 on August 15, 2014. There are also plans for a railway from China to Nepal that will connect Shigatse to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, around the year 2027.

Building started on the Sichuan–Tibet Railway in 2015, and it is expected to finish around 2030.