Tibet, the Roof of the World, is the highest area on Earth with an average elevation of 4,900 meters. Located in the southwest of China, it is a mysterious and exotic place for many outsiders. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the massive and tranquil land with its majestic scenery and mysterious religious culture has exerted an awesome impact on travelers.

After entering autumn and as the 7-day National Day Holiday is just around the corner, Tibet is expected to greet the busiest travel season of the year. If your Tibet tour has been already planned, following must-visit tourists attractions we recommonded will make your travel plan more meaningful.

Must-visit tourist attractions in Tibet (I)

NO.6 Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon

The Yarlung Zangpo Grand Canyon [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is one of the deepest and longest canyons in the world. The Yarlung Zangpo River starts at the Mt.Kailash before reaching the juncture of Mainling and Medog counties, where it swerves around towering Mt.Namjagbarwa, the highest peak in the eastern section of the Himalayas, carving a U-shaped gorge. The canyon is home to many animals and plants barely explored and affected by human influence, while its climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic.

Admission: 150 yuan (April 21-Oct.19); 75 yuan (Oct 20- April 20)

NO.7 Ruins of Guge Kingdom

The ruins of the Guge Kingdom

Now in present-day Zanda County in western Tibet, Guge was an ancient kingdom founded by a branch of descendents of the last king of a unified Tibet in the 10th century. It flourished for more than 700 years before encountering civil strife and foreign attacks and falling into disrepair. Now, visitors can see its ruins of temples and palaces, whose inscriptions, statues and murals still remain intact. The city wall with fortresses at each corner is also still standing.

Admission: 105 yuan

NO.8 Barkhor Street

The bustle Barkhor Street [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Barkhor is a small neighborhood of ancient streets and a public square surrounding Jokhang Temple in the old area of Lhasa. The oldest street appeared about 1,300 years ago after Jokhang Temple was built in 647, attracting thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. The streets are full of religious atmosphere and show the original Lhasa. Shops offer prayer wheels, chubas (traditional Tibetan clothing), Tibetan knives and religious articles for sale.

Travel tips: Walking in a clockwise direction along the street is recommended.

NO.9 Yambajan  

Yambajian

Yambajan is famous for its wide range of hot springs, from ones with the highest temperatures in the country to boiling geysers. It sits in a basin at the foot of Nyainqentanglha Mountains about 90 kilometers northwest of Lhasa. In the early morning, the town is covered in a white and luminous vapor. The hot springs in Yambajan contain various minerals and are believed to be therapeutic.

Admission: 30 yuan (98 yuan for hot-spring bathing)

Travel tips: Bringing one's own bathing suit is recommended.

NO.10 Midui Glacier

Midui Glacier [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Midui Glacier, located in Yupu Township, is the lowest altitude above sea level in the world. It was ranked by China National Geography Magazine as one of the top six most beautiful glaciers in China and opened to tourists in 2007.

The glacier is passes through four distinct regions: snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and villages and temples coexist in harmony. It looks as if Nature's hand itself had taken up a brush to paint a splashed-ink landscape.

Admission: 50 yuan

Travel tips: It is about an hour's walk from the entrance to the glacier.