Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) borders Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan internally while India, Burma, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal meet TAR’s external borders. It covers a massive 1,220,000 square kilometers (470,920 sq. miles), which is about 12.8 percent of China’s land area. With an average height of more than 4,000 meters above sea level, some of the world’s highest mountains encompass Tibet – the Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram to the west, and the Kunlun to the north are the dreamlands of all adventurers and mountaineers. 

The vast land is also the origins of several great rivers such as Yangtze River, Yellow River, Nu River (Salween River), Lancang River (Mekong River), Yarlong Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River), the Indus, and the Ganges. Tibet also offers awe-inspiring scenery of beautiful lakes and valleys. Over 1,500 lakes including Heavenly Lake Namtso and the holy Lake Manasarova make Tibet Plateau with largest amount of water. Without irrigation and nurturance of these rivers and lakes, the surrounding lands may not flourish. 

Western Tibet, Ngari (阿里, Ali in Chinese), is a vast barren highland and renowned as the Roof of Tibet. As the place where the Holy Lake Manasarova joins the Sacred Mountain Kailash, Ngari is a holy pilgrimage destination of Tibetans and Hindus, as well as a popular challenge to mountain trekkers. The ancient Shang Shung and Guge Kingdoms also exerted a pull. As the climate is so inclement, few people live in this region. Ngari is the home of wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, and many other rare animals as well. 

In Tibet, five mountains exceed the altitudes of 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) above sea level and many others altitudes over 7,000 meters (22,960 feet). Hence, southwestern Tibet has been a popular destination for daring mountaineers. Mt. Everest (Mt. Qomolongma) towers over the region. Besides, more than 40 snow-capped peaks are open to mountain climbing enthusiasts. Each year, thousands of adventurers and mountaineers come to Tibet to challenge both nature and themselves. Southern Tibet also offers primeval forests, running waters, and a relatively mild climate. Yarlong Tsangpo Canyon, the largest canyon in the world, is the home of rare plants and wild animals, and it remains unknown to anyone other than local people.