Mother Earth has so much raw beauty, and Tibet is no exception. This image evokes a feeling of mystery and magic; secrets the earth holds from a time beyond imagining. Such a stunningly beautiful land, with a rich spiritual background. Although the peoples of this region have had more than their fair share of trials and warfare, even to this day, the beauty of the landscape is breathtaking to behold. Sweeping views and mountainous ranges make this one of the worlds greatest natural wonders. A Shangri La to behold, my wild nature cannot resist the lure and temptation to explore.

With a population of slightly less than three million, spread over 1.2 million sq-km (0.5 million sq-mile), much of the Tibet Autonomous Region is wide open space. China has established 38 reserves to protect the region’s natural environment, which includes mountains, lakes and forests. But global warming is changing the landscape. Temperatures in Tibet are rising at more than twice the worldwide average, melting glaciers that feed some of Asia’s major rivers.

Tibetan Life and Tourism

Outside towns and cities, people mostly rely on farming to survive. Tibetans grow crops or herd animals, such as cows and yaks. Common crops include barley, potatoes and turnips. A few years ago, watermelons were introduced to the region and now seem to be the summer fruit of choice. Farmers sell them directly from roadside stalls.

China hopes to attract three million tourists to Tibet by 2020. But there are concerns that these tourists, who will need hotels, restaurants and shops, will destroy Tibet’s unique character. More visitors could lead to ugly developments around major tourist sites and damage to the region’s natural environment. Local officials maintain this will not happen, but bold statements and action are often two different things.

Buddhist tradition

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls. The monastery, formally called Taktshang Goemba, was built in 1692 and reconstructed in 1998 after a fire. Now, the monastery is restricted to practicing Buddhists on religious retreats and is off-limits to ordinary tourists.

Religion remains important for ordinary Tibetans, many of whom make pilgrimages to the region’s monasteries and temples. Pilgrims are as prominent as tourists on Lhasa’s streets, as they walk around sacred sites chanting and clutching prayer beads. Many sites have been restored after being destroyed in China’s Cultural Revolution, when the country was plunged into virtual civil war. China says there are now more than 1,700 places of worship in Tibet, and about 46,000 monks and nuns.

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