Source: CCTV.com
11-13-2007 09:49
Special Report: China Tibet Development Forum
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Tibet is one of the remotest corners of China. However, since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibetan railway, the number of tourists in the isolated region has increased considerably.
As visitors get off the train, they are first impressed by Potala Palace, that has stood in the center of Lhasa for more than 13 centuries.
Qamba Gesang, head of Potala Palace Admin Office, said, "I lived in the old society for about 16 years. There were not so many modern buildings back then."
Qamba Gesang is referring to the three or four-floored buildings built with concrete and steel.
Looking out from the top of Potala Palace, new buildings certainly dot the city's expanding skyline.
Buildings of this kind constitute around 90 percent of architecture in modern Lhasa.
But just a few miles away, the village of Qushui is dramatically different. Here villagers are trying to retain some of the old ways.
Qamba, villager of Qushui County, said, "The flower carvings in my house are what we Tibetans like. It's one of the characteristics of Tibetans."
More than 10 million US dollars have been invested to maintain the Sagya Monastery, one of the most prestigious temples in Tibet, located in Xigaze prefecture.
Built over one thousand years ago in the Yuan Dynasty, the Sagya Monastery contains a large number of classic Buddhist scriptures.
Palden Dhonyu, chief monk of Sagya Monastery, said, "Our ancestors have left us such a great legacy, we have to maintain it and hand over to our decedents generations after generations."
With the advent of tourism, Tibetan handicrafts and costumes are now becoming more popular.
La Ba Qiong Da's handicraft workshop is a well-known producer of silver cups and bowls - an indispensable item in Tibetan daily life.
The owner is planning to increase the output of his small factory to meet increased demand.
And for those wanting to see authentic Tibetan dancing, the Himalaya Hotel hosts two such shows every day.
Editor:Liu Fang
