Urbanization has been accelerating in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, formerly a region dominated by agriculture and animal husbandry.
Officials with the regional government said that Tibet now has two cities, 72 counties and prefectures and 112 towns. Townships currently cover an area of 147 square km.
According to the latest national census, Tibet's urban population numbers 495,300, accounting for 18.9 percent of its total population.
Half a century ago, no cities existed in Tibet, and the urban area of Lhasa, Tibet's capital, only covered a total area of 3 square km and was home to an urban population of some 30,000.
Lhasa now is considered a modern city on the "roof of the world" with a host of new buildings, luxury hotels, restaurants and stores.
With the comprehensive development of Tibet's economy, the quality of life and incomes of urban citizens have improved dramatically.
The picture shows that a Tibetan motorcyclist with kids stops for photographer in his way to the local town in Shuanghu of far north Tibet Autonomous Region.
(China Daily November 20, 2001)
