Tibet is generally defined as Tibet Autonomous Region located in western China. While this is true, Tibet, the cultural region, extends much further into China. One could visit Tibet in parts of Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan provinces. The Chinese government does not recognize these places as Tibet, but locals will speak as if you’re in another country and see themselves as distinct from China.
Traveling to the cultural regions of Tibet is advantageous for 3 reasons. One, you do not need to book a tour. Tourists in TAR (political Tibet) are required to travel with licensed tour guides the entire trip. In cultural Tibet, you can roam freely without a tour guide, which allows you to see what you want without restriction.
Second, some travelers argue TAR is a bit commercialized and lost its “Off the Beaten Track” essence that attracted many travelers in the past. There are way less tourist in the cultural regions of Tibet.
Third, traveling to the TAR is expensive. Travelers need to pay for their tour guides, and entry permits, which can be a hassle to prepare for.
I traveled to Gansu province to visit the city of Xiahe, which is located in a small autonomous Tibetan region. I highly recommend it!
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