People in various parts of the Tibet Autonomous Region are immersed in a live festive mood as the Tibetan New Year is imminent.

Tibetans will ring in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey on Feb. 21,according to the Tibetan calendar, the most important festival in the autonomous region.

There is more cause than usual for bustling celebration this year among Tibetan families as their purses are bulging. Due to consecutive bumper harvests, the annual per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen rose to 1,690 yuan (more than US$200) last year, an increase of 11 percent over the previous year.

Shops in many streets in the regional capital Lhasa are selling festival decorations including highland barley, which symbolizes an abundant harvest of all food crops. According to local custom, Tibetans should place highland barley on cabinets at home during the New Year.

Shops to sell Tibetan-style costumes and garments are packed with customers all day long. Luxury ones each costing 3,000 yuan (over US$360) sell well on the market. Wang Li, a young lady of Han nationality working in Lhasa, said she would buy a Tibetan-style garment to celebrate her first year in Tibet.

Apart from special purchases for the coming Tibetan New Year, sales of household appliances, gold and silver ornaments, automobiles and hand tractors are very brisk.

The orphanage in the autonomous region has received books and gifts presented by the local women's federation.

The local TV station is very busy doing final rehearsals for the grand New Year's evening party.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2004)