Cultural exchanges between Tibet and the outside world have been on the increase since the 1980s. Reciprocal visits, exchanges of books and other printed materials, and a wide variety of artistic and academic activities have proven effective means whereby Tibet has strengthened cooperation with foreign cultural circles and research institutions and international organizations. The Tibet Autonomous Region Association for Foreign Cultural Exchange has organized a number of performances by local song and dance ensembles and Tibetan opera troupes in the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Nepal, Singapore and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and exhibitions of Tibetan cultural relics, movies, photography and paintings and sculptures in Japan, Italy and countries and regions in Southeast Asia.

Local experts and scholars in religious and cultural circles have repeatedly accepted invitations to lecture or join in academic exchanges in Austria, France, Thailand, Norway and Sri Lanka. In addition, the regional government has signed agreements to cooperate in Tibetological research and cultural and academic exchanges with academic groups from Hungary, Canada, Germany, Italy and Austria, and hosted over 130 scholars from 14 countries and regions visiting Tibet to conduct academic investigations and research or join in cooperative scientific research talks. Tibet sent six scholars to take part in the Gyoma International Tibetology Seminar held in Hungary in 1987.

The region is currently broadening research cooperation with relevant foreign academic institutions and international organizations in the natural sciences, Tibetology and peripheral subjects.