Topography

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau was the latest to emerge on earth, but it is the largest in size and the highest in elevation, hence its name as "Roof of the World" or the "Third Pole of the Earth".

Descending from northwest to southeast, the plateau is full of with gullies, glaciers, rocks and Gobi. Under the impact of topography and atmospheric currents, Xizang's climate is varied and diversified. Generally speaking, the climate features frigid and dry air in the northwest and warm and humid air in the southeast. The climatic types from southeast to northwest include tropical, subtropical, plateau temperate, plateau sub-frigid and plateau frigid zones. And the climate undergoes a vertical change from tropical and sub-tropical to temperate, frigid temperate and frigid zones. There is a local saying that "there are four seasons within one mountain" and the "weather changes in a 5-km area" reflecting the diversity.

Himalayan Mountainous Area: Lying in southern Xizang, it is formed by several east-west mountains each with an elevation of 6,000 meters, including the Qomolangma which, located in Tingri County by the China-Nepal border and having an elevation of 8,843.43 meters, is the highest peak in the world. The Himalaya is capped by snow all the year round and climate in its southern and northern side, plus topography, is totally different. Southern Xizang Valley: Lying between the Kangdese and Himalayan mountains, the valley is drained by the Yarlung Zangbo River and its tributaries. This valley is composed of many small sub river and lake valleys. Blessed with flat land and fertile fields, this valley is the major agricultural area of Xizang.

Northern Xizang Plateau: Lying amng the Kunlun, Tanggula, Kangdese and Nyainqentanggula mountains, the plateau occupies two-third of the regional area. Dotted with many basins, this plateau is the major livestock breeding area of Xizang.

Eastern Xizang High Mountain Valley: This refers to the Henduan mountainous area located east of Nagqu. It is composed of a series of east-west and then south-north high mountains and deep ravines. The Nujiang, Lancangjiang and Jinshajiang rivers flow among these mountains. While the top of the mountains are buried under snow, the area on the lower part of the mountain slopes are covwered with trees and crops.