Lhasa, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is the political, economic, cultural and transport center of the region. Situated in a high-altitude valley at 3,700 meters (11,100 feet) surrounded by even higher mountains and with the scenic Kyichu River flowing right through town, Lhasa can be wonderfully picturesque in spite of its rapidly modernizing skyline.