The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, wrapped up his 13-day visit to northwest China's Gansu Province Sunday, the local government said Monday.

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu.[File photo]?

The 21-year-old Panchen Lama, one of the two most revered living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, visited Gansu's provincial capital of Lanzhou, as well as the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gannan, during his visit, which lasted from Aug. 9 to 21.

From Aug. 11 to 20, the Panchen Lama performed religious rituals, including sutra interpretations and giving blessings, for more than 50,000 Tibetan Buddhists at five monasteries, including Labrang, an 18th-century monastery in Xiahe County, which is regarded as a top Tibetan Buddhism educational institution in China.

He also gave sermons to monks and called upon his teacher Jamyang Gyatso and other senior lamas in Xiahe County.

During a seminar with representatives of the religious circle in Gannan Prefecture, the Panchen Lama said he was impressed with religious freedom enjoyed by local people.

He reminded local Buddhists to abide by the law, uphold national unity and conduct themselves in accordance with Buddhist doctrines.

"I myself, in the meantime, will follow the examples of all of my predecessors, carry forward their patriotism and love of Buddhism and contribute to the prosperity of the country and Tibetan Buddhism," he said.

In Luchu County, the Panchen Lama visited new homes built by the local government for nomadic herders.

He also made cash donations to several families living in poverty in the nearby city of Hezuo.

In Lanzhou, the Panchen Lama visited PetroChina's Lanzhou refinery, the Modern Physics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Northwest University of Nationalities.

The 11th Panchen Lama was born in February 1990 in Lhari County, located in northern Tibet's Nagqu Prefecture. His secular name is Gyaincain Norbu.

He was approved by the central government as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama in November 1995 after a lot-drawing ceremony was conducted for three candidates at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region.