WALK ON: Over 100 hikers from China and abroad walk along the bank of Nam Co Lake, which is regarded as a holy place in Tibetan Buddhism       Photo by TU DENG

The region's major tourist sites such as Potala Palace and Norbu Lingka received a number of tour groups from other Chinese provinces.

The Tourism Administration of Tibet Autonomous Region said all travel agencies would be allowed to arrange tours, and independent travelers would also be welcome.

The first domestic tour group visiting Tibet since the March 14 riot arrived at Lhasa train station on April 24. The 15-member tour group was from the eastern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In mid-May, more than 500 tourists in groups are expected. The number of individual travelers is also expected to rise.

Tourism boom

With snow-covered towering mountains, unique culture and religion, Tibet is a popular tourist destination. In recent years, tourism has played an increasingly important role in the local economy, and it accounted for 14 percent of the region's gross domestic product in 2007.

In 2007, 4.03 million people visited Tibet, up from 1.8 million in 2005. Of the visitors coming to Tibet in 2007, 91.5 percent were from other parts of China, generating a total income of 4.85 billion yuan ($407 million), accounting for three-quarters of total tourism income. Foreign tourists brought an income of $135 million.

Tibet has many tourism programs to offer visitors ranging from skiing trips to hot springs and over 60 scenic spots and four tourist routes. They are Lhasa-Nyingchi-Shannan eco-tour, Lhasa-Xigaze-Ngari sightseeing and pilgrimage tour; Lhasa-Xigaze-Tingri-Zam sightseeing tour, and Lhasa-Nagqu-Qinghai Grassland tour.

To attract tourists, the local government has set up travel offices in major cities in China as well as in other countries such as Japan, Nepal and the United States, providing consulting services.

Easier access to the region has also significantly spurred the tourism boom in Tibet. The historical Qinghai-Tibet Railway went into official operation in July 2006, expanding the transportation capacity, and making the trip less expensive.

Tibet has expanded lodging facilities to accommodate the surge in tourists. By June 2006, Tibet boasted 71 starred tourist hotels and 535 non-starred ones. The local tourism industry was also armed with 1,139 tourist guides who speak foreign languages and a fleet of over 1,000 coaches shuttling tourists from place to place.

Natural beauty

Perching at the "Roof of the World," Tibet is richly endowed with tourism resources. Its landscape features grassland, lakes, river valleys, forests, highland glaciers, snow-capped peaks and geothermal fields. Its climate varies both horizontally and vertically, ranging from tropical to frigid zones, which adds diversity to the scenery.

The region boasts more than 50 peaks above 7,000 meters, a paradise for mountaineers. According to statistics, during the period 2001-05, Tibet received 530 mountaineering teams from home and abroad, consisting of 7,000 individuals.

Tibet has three world-class nature reserves. Qomolangma (Mount Everest) Nature Reserve is the highest among them. It has five peaks over 8,000 meters above sea level, including the highest peak in the world, Qomolangma. The reserve is the cradle of rare habitats and animal species including virgin forest, the snow leopard and Himalayan Tar Sheep. In 2007, more than 40,000 visitors visited the reserve.

Changtang Nature Reserve in northern Tibet is the second largest nature reserve in the world behind Greenland National Park beside the North Pole. It is a vast sweep of open land dotted with headstream lakes. At heights ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 meters, Changtang has a unique, highly frigid ecosystem.

Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon Nature Reserve in eastern Tibet features a spectacular U-shaped canyon carved by the Yarlung Zangbo River when it swerves around a 7,782-meter towering peak. The river is the highest in the world.

Religion has made a strong imprint on daily life, culture and customs in Tibet. At present, there some 1,700 monasteries and nunneries of Tibetan Buddhism in the region, with 46,000 resident monks and nuns; 88 monasteries of the Bon religion, with some 3,000 resident monks, 93 living Buddhas and over 130,000 religious followers; four mosques, with some 3,000 followers; and one Christian church, with over 700 worshippers.

Tibet has three world-class cultural heritage sites-the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Monastery and the Norbu Lingka; three State-class historical and cultural cities, including Lhasa, Xigaze and Gyangze. There are also a total of 35 cultural relics subject to national protection, 48 cultural relics subject to regional-level protection and 168 cultural relics subject to county or city level protection.

In the past two decades, the government has invested 6 billion yuan ($857 million) in preserving historical and cultural heritage in Tibet.

Modern cultural activities are flourishing too. By the end of 2007, the Tibet Autonomous Region had 28 professional performing groups, 203 cultural centers, four public libraries and two museums.

Tips for Travelers

The average altitude in Tibet is 1,500 meters above sea level, and many places are above 3,000 meters. Temperatures can vary wildly between day and night. Both the annual average temperature and the highest temperature in Lhasa and Xigaze are 10-15 degrees centigrade lower than that in other Chinese cities at similar latitude, such as Shanghai. Travelers to Tibet are advised to prepare for the trip physically, physiologically and financially:

l Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), also called Altitude Sickness, is common at high altitudes due to the decreasing availability of oxygen. Most people will experience differing degrees of symptoms at elevations above 2,000 meters. Take an oxygen bag in case of emergency.

- Rest before traveling to Tibet otherwise you may suffer from a headache.

- Bring sunglasses, sunscreen cream, sports clothing, a warm coat (even in summer), sweaters, hiking shoes, a flashlight, an umbrella or raincoat and medicines.

- If you do not travel with a group, bring calorie-rich food, such as cookies, chocolate and candies, as well as water.

- Foreign travelers or Chinese who do not hold a passport issued by the People's Republic of China should apply for a travel permit to visit Tibet.

- For more official travel information, visit the Tibetan Tourism Information website at www.xzta.gov.cn.

Local Customs Visitors Should Respect:

- When gesturing with your hand in front of Buddha statues, make sure that your palm does not face down. Holding your hand palm-up shows respect.

- Hold your voice down in public places, especially religious places. Do not use cameras or video recorders without permission.

- When driving to Tibetan families, follow the existing trails. At the residence of herdsmen, do not inquire about the number of animals they own. Do not stretch your legs toward Buddha statues or stoves.