Abstract: The integrated scientific expeditions to the Tibetan Plateau which started in the 1950s have attracted worldwide attention. Since then China has made remarkable achievements in the field. Therefore it has had its own position in the history of natural scientific expeditions in the world. The paradigm of scientific research on the Tibetan Plateau is characterized by the following aspects: a longterm platform of basic scientific research, and a process of knowledge dissemination, as well as a complex consisting of achievements and novel thinking in scientific researches. The paradigm has produced obvious “Tibetan effects”, that is, condensation effect of exploring natural secrets, mutual penetration effect of different disciplines, catalytic effect of talents emerging and social effect of continuous spread. The paradigm has been developed under the cultural atmosphere, such as national support, reform of organization system, academic freedom, as well as international cooperation, etc. The spiritual connotation embodied in the “Tibetan effects” includes the following aspects, raising the awareness of innovation aiming at international advance, obtaining original information based on the Plateau, strengthening cooperation for synthetic integration, combining theory with practice to serve the construction of the Plateau, and persevering for the cause of Tibetan scientific researches.

Key words: The Tibetan Plateau, integrated scientific expedition, paradigm of scientific research, Tibetan effect