The Tibetan Plateau is the largest and highest plateau in the world. Lying between the Himalayan mountain range and the Taklamakan Desert, this vast elevated carpet of land comprises one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet. Blessed with an astonishing array of flora and fauna, much of it endemic, the Tibetan Plateau is also home to a centuries-old nomadic culture enriched by Buddhist tradition. Climate change, however, coupled with increased urbanization, threatens the land they call the "roof of the world."
So, why is exploring this remote corner of the globe so rewarding? Click through and get to know the Tibetan Plateau.