The Tibet Autonomous Region has continually developed and exploited its unique tourism resources, both human and natural. In terms of tourism, the region is currently perceived as four areas of Lhasa, the west, southwest and south.

The Lhasa Tourist Area

It includes Lhasa, Yangbajain, Damxung, Gyangze, Zetang, Xigaze and Yamzhog Yumco Lake. Lhasa itself is more than Tibet's political, economic, cultural and transportation centre; it is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Major tourist sites include the Jokhang Monastery, Ramoche Monastery. Potala palace, Barkor Street, Norbu Lingka Palace and the three major monasteries of Gandain, Zhaibung and Sera. The Jokhang Monastery, Potala Palace, Norbu Lingka Palace, and Gandain. Zhaibung and Sera monasteries are key cultural relics under State-level protection. The great Tibetan leader Songtsan Gambo built the first palace on the Red Hill, site of the Potala, in the 7th century. The palace runs 360 meters east to west and 140 meters north to south. The highest building atop the hill stands 115.4 meters high. Its layout is complex to say the least, but basically consists of multiple levels of abutting rectangular buildings. There are more than 600 chambers of varying size covering more than 90,000 square meters. The palace was where the Dalai Lama resided and administered political affairs. Its repository of a great wealth of historic and cultural relics include gold and jade certificates of appointment, and gold seals of authority belonging to the 5th, 12th and 13th Dalai Lamas. It houses a golden urn made by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty to determine the incarnation of the Dalai Lama, a rare sutra written on pattra leaves and a great number of sutras written in Tibetan, along with a great variety of tangka Buddhist paintings, brocades, ceramics, enamelware, jadeware and precious stones. The halls and chapels, vestibules and corridors are all painted with splendid murals. The best example is the mural corridor on the second floor of the Western Hall. There, 698 murals painted by more than 400 artists from all over Tibet depict the Buddha in various manifestations, Bodhisattvas, tutelary deities, founders and lineages of various orders including the Dalai Lamas, and scenes from the jataka and from other Buddhist stories and sutras. The UNESCO has included the Potala palace in theList of the World's Cultural Heritage.

Places of interest near Zetang include the Tombs of the Tubo Kings, Yombulhakang (site of the oldest building in Tibet), Chamzhub Monastery, Samye Monastery (the first monastery built in Tibet), and the Qonggyai Zong mountain castle. This area is considered the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The Tombs of the Tubo Kings and the Samye Monastery are key cultural relics under State-level protection.

The Xigaze area is sometimes referred to in China as "Posterior Tibet." Major tourist sites include Yamzhog Yumco Lake, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Xalhu Monastery, Sagya Monastery, Palkor Monastery and Mount Qomolangmo.

The Western Tibet Tourist Area

It is Ngari Prefecture, the so-called "roof of the roof of the world." The area draws visitors because of its great religious significance. Many tourists and pilgrims from Nepal and India come into Tibet through the Burang port of entry to visit the area's sacred mountains and lakes. In ancient times the kingdom of Shang-shung ruled here, followed in later years by a series of mutually independent kingdoms. The most splendid remains of this earlier era are castles of the Guge Kingdom, and Toding Monastery, both in Zada County. The former is a key cultural relic under State-level protection.

The pearl of the Kangdese Mountains, Mount Kangrinboqe, is located in Burang County. This strangely shaped, domed 6,656-meter-tall peak is snow-capped through the year. It is sacred to followers of many religions. Mapam Yumco Lake to the south, among the world's highest-elevation freshwater lakes, is also sacred to believers of certain religious faiths.

The Southwest Tibet Tourist Area

It is a place for mountaineers, many of whom are Nepalese who come to Tibet through Zam entry/exit port to enjoy the mountain scenery or do some climbing. Beginning in 1980, China opened 21 mountain peaks to foreign tourists including Qomolangmo and Xixabangma. In 1993 an additional 22 mountain peaks and climbing routes were opened to foreign tourists and mountain climbers. More than 70 groups from over 10 countries including the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Japan have come to Tibet to explore the mountains.

The South Tibet Tourist Area

In southern Tibet, centered around Nyingchi, one can pass through the four seasons of the year in a single day. There are snow-capped mountains, dense primeval forests, surging rivers and azalea-covered mountainsides. This beautiful scenery is easy to enjoy given the pleasantly humid and mild climate.