Abstract We propose that topography can be used as a proxy for the eastward lateral “glacier-like flow” of the Tibetan crust in the Himalayan-Tibetan orogenic system. Geodetic observations across the Tibetan plateau indicate ∼22 mm/yr of crustal motion with respect to stable Eurasia by considering Newtonian channel flow model. Further, correlation between regional strain rate ( e ) and topographic elevation (h) is found to be statistically robust, with stress exponent (n) of 3.03 ± 0.1. Therefore, we suggest that the Tibetan crust follows well defined power-law relation that is consistent with the nonlinear deformation associated with dislocation-creep. Moreover, the predicted viscosity range of the Tibetan crust is consistent with the channel flow model proposed by previous investigators using different approaches in different time scales.