Tibet autonomous region received a record number of 5.27 million tourists in the first 10 months of this year, according to a tourist official, Chinese state media reported.

Temperatures dipped low in India's northern Dharamsala, following snowfall in the upper reaches of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Now, mountains overlooking the town of Dharamsala are covered in a sheet of white. However, tourists visiting from the plains are waiting to experience snow in the town itself.

TAWANG (ARUNACHAL PRADESH): In a fitting prelude to the 14th H.H Dalai Lama’s first day of discourse in Tawang on Monday, thousands of his followers joined hands in a prayer for peace with China and a wish that someday they would be able to travel to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Forty-seven years after People’s Liberation Army overran the monastery town of Tawang, China today doesn’t excite the people as much as Lhasa does. Tawang, known as the Land of Monpas, and Tibet, are bound together by Buddhism. They speak different languages, dress differently, but have similar food habits.

About Tibet: Tibet is a rich and beautiful land with an average altitude over 4,000m (13,120ft) above sea level. Possessing more than fifty peaks above7,000m (22,960ft), Tibet is home to eleven Himalayan mountains over 8,000m (26,240ft). China, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Burma and Kashmir all border Tibet. Over two million people inhabit this land of rich natural resources and ancient cultures.

The Potala Palace dominates the city of Lhasa from its site atop the Red Mountain (Marpo Ri). It served as a fortress and as the residence of the Dalai Lamas, and so was the center of both political and religious power in Tibet. Today it is the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region and remains an immensely popular pilgrimage site.