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Where is Tibet? Find Its Location on the Map

October 28, 2024 BY Master Kungga Dundruk 0 COMMENTS

Located on the highest plateau in the World, Tibet is home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, as well as vast snow-capped landscapes, crystal holy lakes, devoted pilgrims, and rich culture.

Understanding the location of Tibet is essential for planning your visit to this charming region. Here, we will provide a detailed overview of Tibet’s location, helping you easily find it on the map and effectively plan your journey to Tibet.

Where is Tibet in Asia?

Tibet is located in the heart of Asia, often known as the ‘Third Pole’ of the Earth due to its vast glaciers and high-altitude environment. Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the highest and largest plateau in the world, Tibet has an average altitude of over 4,500 meters above sea level. This unique geographical position makes Tibet an important source of water for many major rivers in Asia, including the Yangtse, Brahmaputra, Yellow, Indus, Mekong, and Ganges Rivers. That’s why Tibet is also praised as the ‘Water Tower of Asia’.

map of tibet location in asiaMap of Tibet Location in Asia

Where is Tibet on the Tibetan Plateau?

The Tibet Plateau, also known as the Qingahai-Tibet Plateau, is largely in China and also extends to parts of Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The Tibet Autonomous Region of China is smaller than the entire plateau, but it is the largest portion of the plateau, covering a broad section of the southwestern region.

Located on the southwest part of the Tibet Plateau, Tibet stretches from the southern edge of the Himalayas in the south to the Kunlun, Altyn-Tagh, and Qilian mountains in the north. To the west, it borders the Pamir Plateau and the Karakoram Mountains. In the east and northeast, Tibet connects with the western part of the Qinling Mountains and the Loess Plateau.

Where is Tibet located in the Himalayas?

Tibet is located on the northern edge of the Himalayas, which marks the southern and southwestern border with Bhutan, Nepal, and India. All of the Himalayan area in China is located in Tibet, and the vast mountain range has shaped local culture and history.

There are six mountains over 8,000 meters high in a broad arc from Nyingchi Prefecture in the southeast to Ngari Prefecture in the west. Mount Everest, the most famous mountain in the world, is shared with Nepal on the southern edge of Tibet. Everest Base Camp in Tibet, on the north side of the Mountain, is the best place for close-up views of the peak without actually climbing to the top.

Namcha Barwa (7,782m) is the highest peak in the eastern Himalayas. It’s in Nyinchi Prefecture along a great bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Mount Kailash is the most famous mountain in the western Himalayas in Tibet. Located in the remote Ngari Prefecture, it still managed to attract thousands of pilgrims and ttourists every year.

Where is Tibet in China?

Tibet covers an area of around 1.22 million square kilometers, which accounts for 12.8% of the total of China. You may find that Tibet lies in the southwest of China and it is whole inland. It has four neighboring provinces in China: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to its northwest and Qinghai province to its north, Sichuan province to its east and Yunnan province to its southeast.

tibet mountain rangesTibet Mountains in China

To the north is Kunlun Range where towering Tanggula Mountain dominates the Qinghai-Tibet Railway as the highest point (5,231m) it needs to pass. While to the east and southeast stand the Hengduan Mountains. You can enjoy the breathtaking views of snow-capped Mount Meili, as well as the stunning Nu River and Lancang River.

In the west of Tibet, the curve of the rugged Gangtise Range embraces it. In Ngari, the western Tibet, you can follow the ancient Kailash Manasarovar Yatra to the sacred mountain and holy lake. It is also one of the places in Tibet with few human presences. You can explore some of the ruins of ancient Tibetan civilization, like the Guge Kingdom, ruins of Donggar, etc. Further to the northwest is the Karakoram, linking Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan.

Insider Tips:
1.There is a range of flight, rail, and overland routes that connect the mainland of China and Tibet with unique travel experiences for reaching Tibet.
2.If you already live in China with a Chinese Visa, you still need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit in advance for your trip to Tibet.
3.If you plan to enter Tibet from the mainland of China, both a Chinese Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit are required for your trip.

What countries does the Tibet Autonomous Region border?

Tibet borders Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, and India from south to west. Although sharing long land borders, direct crossing into Tibet is only available through Nepal.

>map of tibet and surrounding countriesMap of Tibet and Surrounding Countries

A major part of the Himalayas is shared by China and Nepal, with the border running exactly through the peak of Mount Everest. Taking a Tibet Nepal tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the diverse Himalayan cultures.

The land border cross between Nepal and Tibet is at the Gyirong Border. The popular Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour takes 8 days. While crossing the Gyirong border, you will transfer from the southern side of the Himalayas to the northern side with totally different landscapes. Driving along the famous Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway to Lhasa, you will explore the best of Tibet in one go.

Insider Tips:
1.Nepal also has the only international flight to Tibet, which runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
2.No matter whether you travel by flight or overland, before entering Tibet from Nepal, you need to obtain a special Chinese Group Visa and the Tibet Travel Permit in advance. Based in Lhasa with a local office in Kathmandu, we guarantee smooth and hassle-free travel from Nepal to Tibet.

How to Get to Tibet? By Flight, Train, or Overland

There are flexible options for getting to Tibet. Flights, trains, and overland routes are available, and you can combine different ways to tailor a personal experience.

Non-stop flights to Lhasa depart from major cities in China daily. Among all these cities, Chengdu offers the most frequent direct flights to Lhasa within 2.5 hours. There is also an international flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa, which is the only international flight available to Tibet. At around 90 minutes, the Kathmandu to Lhasa flight is the fastest flight and passes directly over Mount Everest.

airlines to lhasa tibetAll airlines that fly to Tibet

Tibet trains running through the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, the highest railway in the world, is a popular way to reach Lhasa. Currently, direct trains to Tibet depart from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Xining and Lanzhou. On the final segment from Xining to Lhasa, you can see the beautiful scenery of the Tibetan Plateau just outside the window.

Overland routes to Tibet offer the most adventurous travel experience. Starting from Kathmandu, you can traverse the Himalayas and visit Everest Base Camp on the way to Lhasa. The Chengdu to Lhasa overland trip is the most popular route to Tibet from mainland China, renowned for its stunning scenery along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318 National Highway). This route takes you through the rolling hills of Sichuan and the beautiful landscapes of eastern Tibet.

Conclusion

The vast expanse of Tibet and its diverse geography make its location a fascinating topic. Located on the Tibetan Plateau in southwest China and bordering a number of Asian countries and provinces in China, Tibet has nevertheless retained a unique cultural identity shaped by the challenging terrain of the Himalayas and vast plains. With the developing transportation infrastructure, it’s surprisingly easy to explore Tibet nowadays.

Headquartered in Lhasa, with local offices in Chengdu and Kathmandu, we at Tibet Vita are here to offer you comprehensive support and guidance for your trip to Tibet. Feel free to share your travel ideas with us and find the best way to Tibet according to your interests.

Master Kungga Dundruk

About the Author - Master Kungga Dundruk

Kungga Dundruk, often respectfully referred to as “Manager Kunga”, is the most revered and legendary Tibetan guide in our team.

Currently working as a customer service manager in Lhasa, Kunga used to study business overseas and got his Bachelor of Business in Nepal and India before moving back to his homeland. With pure passion for life and unlimited love for Tibet, Kunga started his guide career as early as 1997.

As a legendary Tibetan guide with 22 years of guide experience, Kunga was awarded the Gold Medalist of China’s Best Tour Guide in 2019, marking the pinnacle of his career. Today, Kunga loves sharing his wealth of Tibetan knowledge through travel articles and stands ready to offer prompt support whenever our guests need help in Lhasa.

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