The largest Lama temple in China: Zhaibung Monastery in Lhasa, also the highest above sea level.

The highest highway in China: Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, which starts in Yecheng, Xinjiang and ends in Gar County in Ngari Prefecture, running through the Kunlun and Gangdise mountains, about 6,700 meters above sea level.

World's largest gilded copper seated Buddha: Qamba Buddha in Tashilhunpo Monastery, Xigaze.

The first Tibetan to conquer Mount Qomolangma (also known as Mt Everest): Gangbung who, together with Wang Fuzhou and Qu Yinhua, successfully climbed the highest mountain in the world on May 25, 1960.

The mammal living at the highest altitude in China: Tibetan yak.

World's largest ichthyosaur fossil: collected from Tingri County, Tibet.

The highest flying bird in China: a kind of vulture on Mount Qomolangma.

The highest altitude snake in China: hot spring snake in Yangbajain, Damxung County.  

The oldest cypress in China: growing in Nyingchi County, Tibet.

World's highest altitude tree fossil: discovered in the Mount Xixabangma area.

World's highest mountain: Mount Qomolangma (Mt Everest).

World's largest mountain range: the Himalayas.

China's highest plateau: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, also the highest and youngest plateau in the world.

World's highest altitude sand geomorphology: Barchan in the Mayuan River valley on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River.

The highest altitude river in China: Yarlung Zangbo River.

The highest altitude saltwater lake in China: Nam Co located between the counties of Damxung and Bainqoin.

World's highest altitude freshwater lake: Mapam Yumco.

The largest geothermal lake in China: located in the Yangbajain area.

The highest altitude hot springs in China: hot springs at the foot of the West Mountain in the area of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway.

Geographical region with the largest number of lakes in China: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are about 1,500 lakes there.

Geographical region with the largest number of saltwater lakes: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The city with richest resources of solar energy: Lhasa.

The area with the lowest average annual temperature in China: northern Tibet. It is winter there all year round.

The area with the lowest temperature in summer in China: Northern Tibetan Plateau.

World's largest glacier: Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau glacier. Its water reserve is equal to the total annual runoff of 75 Yellow Rivers. The thickest part of the glacier is 1,000-1,200 meters.

World's highest altitude coalmine: Moincer Coalmine.

World's longest epic poem: King Gesar, one of the three most famous epic poems of China's ethnic minorities.

The first picture scroll depicting exchanges between China's ethnic groups: Sedan Chair by Yan Liping, a Tang Dynasty painter. It shows Tang Emperor Taizong meeting the Tubo Kingdom envoy who came to take Princess Wencheng to Tibet.

The highest altitude palace in the world: Potala Place in Lhasa.

The highest altitude city in China: Lhasa, 3,650 meters above sea level.

The highest altitude monastery in the world: Rongbo Monastery in Tingri County, 5,100 meters above sea level.

The highest altitude ruins of an ancient kingdom in the world: the site of Guge Kingdom.

(China.org.cn July 26, 2005)