The 2008 Tibetan unrest was a series of protests and demonstrations against Chinese rule in Tibet that began in March of 2008 and continued into the following year. The protests were sparked by a number of factors, including long-standing grievances over Chinese suppression of Tibetan culture and religion, as well as frustration over economic and social marginalization.

The unrest began in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, with peaceful protests by monks and nuns calling for greater religious freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, who had been exiled from Tibet by the Chinese government in 1959. These initial protests were met with a heavy-handed response from the Chinese authorities, with thousands of troops being deployed to quell the unrest and dozens of protesters being arrested.

The protests quickly spread to other parts of Tibet and surrounding areas with significant Tibetan populations, including Sichuan, Qinghai, and Gansu provinces. Demonstrations and clashes between protesters and security forces grew increasingly violent, leading to a number of deaths and injuries.

In response to the unrest, the Chinese government imposed a strict curfew in Lhasa and other areas, and imposed a media blackout, preventing journalists and foreign observers from entering Tibet. The Chinese government also accused the Dalai Lama and his supporters of fomenting the unrest, and accused the protesters of being "rioters" and "criminals."

The 2008 Tibetan unrest was one of the most significant challenges to Chinese rule in Tibet in recent history. While the protests were eventually put down by the Chinese authorities, they highlighted the deep-seated grievances and resentment felt by many Tibetans towards Chinese rule, and have led to ongoing tensions between Tibetans and the Chinese government.