The windswept Ch'iang-t'ang is devoid of trees and larger forms of vegetation. Its arid climate supports little except grasses. The varied plant life of Tibet is found in the river valleys and in the lower, wetter regions of the south and southeast. Plant life includes willows, poplars, several types of conifers, teak, rhododendrons, oaks, birches, elms, bamboo, sugarcane, babul trees, thorn trees, tea bushes, gro-ba (a small white tree that grows mainly in hilly regions), 'om-bu (a bushlike tree with red flowers that grows near water), khres-pa (a strong durable forest tree used to make food containers), glang-ma (a willow tree used for basketry), and rtsi-shing (the seeds of which are used for making varnish). Fruit-bearing trees and certain roots are used for food, as are the leaves of the lca-wa, khumag, and sre-ral, all of which grow in the low, wet regions. Both wild and domestic flowers flourish in Tibet. Among the wildflowers are the blue poppy, lotus, wild pansy, oleander, orchid, tsi-tog (a light pink flower that grows at high altitudes), shang-dril (a bell-shaped flower, either white, yellow, or maroon, that also grows at high altitudes), and ogchu (a red flower that grows in sandy regions).

Animal life in the forest regions includes tiger, leopard, bear, wild boar, wild goat, stone marten (a kind of cat), langur (a long-tailed monkey), lynx, jackal, wild buffalo, pha-ra (a small member of the jackal family), and gsa' (a spotted cat that is smaller than a leopard).

In the high grasslands and dry bush areas there are brown bears, wild and bighorn sheep, mountain antelope, musk deer, wild asses, wild yaks, snakes, scorpions, lizards, and dre-tse (members of the wolf family). Water life includes various types of fish, frog, crab, otter, and turtle.

Undisturbed by aircraft or hunters, the bird reigns supreme in the Tibetan sky. Among the many kinds to be seen are the jungle fowl, ptarmigan, spotted tinamou, mynah, hawk, and hoopoe. Other kinds include the gull, crane, sheldrake, cinnamon teal, sing-bya (a tiny, owllike bird), khra (a crow-sized, hawklike bird), bya-long (a bird about the size of a duck), and skya-ka (a black-and-white, crow-sized bird). The rmos-'debs--a small, gray bird that inhabits agricultural regions--gives a call that signals the opening of the planting season.