What is life like on the roof the world? Many people who have or haven’t been there might answer by saying it is harsh, bleak or even inhospitable. After living in China’s west, in the East of Tibet for nine years, my description of life on the Tibetan plateau would be to say it is pristine, beautiful and as for the people – some of the most hospitable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Three characteristics of life on the Tibetan plateau
Three things characterize the Tibetan plateau: the Tibetan wildlife, the Tibetan landscape and the Tibetan people. Tibetan wildlife is increasingly under threat due to illegal poaching fueled by Chinese and Tibetan medicine. The Tibetan plateau is known as the roof of the world due to the average elevation of the Tibetan plateau being 4,500 meters (14,760 feet). The Tibetan people are hospitable and I would imagine this becomes a necessity living in an inhospitable land.
Tibetan wildlife on the Tibetan plateau
The Tibetan antelope is one of the better-known animals of Tibetan wildlife. It is greatly endangered, with only 75,000 left in the wild. It is endangered due to illegal poaching for the soft white underbelly worth more than gold and is natural prey for the Himalayan black and brown bear.
Himalayan brown bears (also known as the red bear) are omnivores that eat small shrubs, plants and other small creatures such as the Himalayan pika and Himalayan marmot. The Himalayan marmot and pika are spread through the Tibetan plateau, living in holes in the ground. Other animals that live on the Tibetan plateau include yak, eagles, Himalayan Griffin, owls and deer. More information on Tibetan wildlife can be read here.
The landscape of the Tibetan plateau
Life on the Tibetan plateau can be very cold and dry. This can be alleviated by visiting one of the many hot springs located all over the Tibetan plateau. With a high mineral content and hot water, hot springs can be great for alleviating the pain associated with arthritis. Tibetan medicinal herbs are scattered through the Tibet plateau and are also sought after for various illnesses Tibetan people have to live with. One of the most sought-after Tibetan medicines is the Cordyceps.
Alpine lakes and Snow Mountains are also something characteristic of life on the Tibetan plateau. Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth and in addition to the highest mountain, there are 13 other peaks all higher than 8,000 meters (26,245 feet) and hundreds of other peaks over 7,000 meters (22,965 feet).
Life on the Tibetan plateau for Tibetan nomads
Tibetan people are some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet. They will open their doors to complete strangers, welcoming you with a warm bowl of yak butter tea. Most Tibetan people found in the countryside on the Tibetan plateau are Tibetan nomads. Life on the Tibetan plateau for these people is tough and they live one heavy snowfall away from disaster.
Life on the Tibetan plateau for the Tibetan nomads means living in a black yak-fibre tent, drinking butter tea, and moving their tents with the seasons. Yak dung is collected and dried for fire fuel. It is used for cooking and to keep warm in the freezing winters when the temperature drops well below zero. The resourcefulness of the nomads can be seen in their versatile use of their high altitude companion – the yak.
Marriages are arranged so life on the Tibetan plateau will continue. This is the traditional way and culture of Tibetan people. In some Tibetan areas, polyandry is practiced; one woman is married to two or more men at the same time. Tibetan food is very simple, roasted barley flour and yak butter tea being the staples. The routine life on the Tibetan plateau is interrupted with the welcomed and anticipated horse racing festival.
Life on the Tibetan plateau is no Shangri-La
Life on the Tibetan plateau can be harsh and eking out a living can be difficult. Before the development of health care systems and modern technology, life in other parts of the world looked similar to a Tibetan person’s life on the Tibetan plateau. The environment was still very pristine and untouched, but this offers little compensation when there’s the tragedy of high infant mortality rate and a life span of 45 years old.
Rhys Emmanuel - Living and doing development work as a medical professional in Asia has given me unique insight into many areas of life and work and a ...
Join the Conversation