27 May: Tibet

On this date in 1951, Tibet was incorporated into China. Here are 10 things you might not know about Tibet:

1. These days, it's a part of China officially known as Xizang Autonomous Region, although it was once a country in its own right with a king, an empire and a national Flag. Today, it's a crime there to fly the national flag of Tibet.
2. The capital of the region is Lhasa. Other major cities include Shigatse Gyantse and Qamdo.
3. The English word Tibet dates back to the 18th century. It is thought to ultimately derive from a Turkish word which literally meant "The Heights".
4. Which is a pretty appropriate name, since it is pretty high up. The average height of a mountain here is 20,000ft. Even the lower parts of the region are so far above sea level that altitude sickness is an issue for visitors. When Tibet was a country, Lhasa was the highest capital city in the world (Now, that's La Paz, Bolivia). Tibet can still boast, however, that it has the world's highest mountain (Mount Everest), the world's highest road, the highest town (Whenzuan), the highest monastery, (Rongbuk), the highest railway (which travels so high so fast that passengers are given an Oxygen supply and there must be a doctor on board) and the world's highest Toilet.
5. One thing you won't find in Tibet is the world's highest KFC. Even though the Dalai Lama is living in exile in India, he wrote to KFC advising them against opening any outlets in Tibet because the mass slaughter of Chickens would not be acceptable to the people there.
6. Potala Palace in Tibet has been the official residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century until 1959. It's the highest palace in the world and now, a tourist attraction. However, it's not a place to visit on your first day in Tibet. It's so high up that unacclimatised people may well need oxygen and oxygen supplies aren't allowed because of the Fire risk.
7. Tourism may be an important part of the economy now, but foreigners weren't allowed to visit at all before the 1980s. Even now at least two different permits are required and tourists must be accompanied by a local guide.
8. 47% of the world’s population depends on fresh Water from Tibet. Tibet has the third largest store of water and ice in the world after the Arctic and Antarctic, and is sometimes nicknamed the ‘third pole’. Six of Asia’s major rivers originate here, including the Mekong, the Yangtze, and the Indus.
9. The Dog breeds pug and Lhasa Apso both originate from Tibet. Pugs were often brought home by sailors as gifts for their lady friends who would refer to them as “Little Turks.” Lhasa Apsos were initially bred as indoor monastery sentinel dogs. A pair found their way to America in 1933 as a gift from the 13th Dalai Lama.
10. In the 1800s the British weren't allowed to go in and explore Tibet, so they sent Indian men disguised as pilgrims to map the area for them. As part of their disguise, these men had to train themselves to walk at precisely 2,000 steps per mile.

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