Tourism and handicraft are just some of the main industries behind Tibet's economy.

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Before the 1950s Tibet had no modern industries. There were small handicraft centres that were owned either individually or collectively and that produced scroll paintings, metal images, wooden block prints, and religious images.

There were no banks before 1951. Small loans to be paid with interest could be obtained from local merchants, and the Tibetan government loaned public funds at interest as a means of collecting revenue. 

Before 1951 traveling in Tibet was done either on foot or on the backs of animals. Coracles (small boats made of wicker and hides) were used to cross the larger rivers.

Tibet's abundance of natural resources is one of the primary reasons of China's invasion of the country during the 50s.