The Tibetan Plateau contains some of the most famous mountain ranges in the world - the Himalayas to the southwest, the Kunlun and Karakunlun to the northwest, the Gangdise, Tangula and Nyainqentanggula Ranges that cut across the middle and the Hengduan Mountains rising like a screen to its east. There are six mountain peaks that tower more than 8000 meters above sea level, 50 over 7000 meters and innumerable peaks of over 6000 meters. At the height of them all, of course, is Mount Qomolangma (Mt. Everest, as it's known in the West), the earth's summit, the Mecca of mountaineers throughout the world. These perennially snow-capped mountain peaks and the innumerable glaciers present a splendid panorama. Viewed from the air, Tibet resembles a sea of undulating waves.

Melted snow flows down the mountains, forming a web of rivers. The Yarlungzangbo River basin, which the Tibetans call Mother River, is where the earliest Tibetans were nurtured. The Jinsha, Lancang and Nu Rivers gave rise to the robust Khamba people. In the western and northern parts of the region are many inland and seasonal rivers which come together to form countless big and small lakes, shimmering like so many stars in the sky. Between these highland lakes lie vast expanses of green pastureland. Tibetans believe that making their homes at the foot of a mountain and by a river is the most ideal choice.

Here, in the midst of these magnificent mountains and beautiful rivers, the Tibetan people have created their own lifestyle and culture.