| |
Tibet, mysterious in the eyes of the world for a prolonged period
of time, finally opened its doors to the outside world in the early
1980s when the People's Republic of China introduced the
reform and opening program. This was followed by huge influx of
foreign mountaineers and those who came for sightseeing visits or
scientific exploration.
After some 20 years, tourism in Tibet has become comparatively full
fledged, with good hotels and other tourist facilities, satisfactory
road conditions, and high quality of tour guides and managers.
Tourist Resources
At present, there are some 60 sites open to tourists. They center
on the city of Lhasa, and cover Xigaze, Shannan, Nagqu, Ngari and
Nyingchi.
Special Tours
 Tourist
programs in the Tibet Autonomous Region feature cultural visits
and sightseeing. But, special tours related to mountaineering, hiking,
scientific survey, and enjoyment of folklore and religious activities
are gaining momentum.
Major special tour routes include: Lhasa-Camping Ground at the Qomolangmo;
Lhasa-Xigaze-Ngari (holy mountains and holy lakes); Gandain Monastery-Samye
Monastery; Gyama Gully-Qingpo-Samye Monastery.
Cultural and sightseeing tours: Major terminals
of this tour program include Lhasa, Xigaze and Shannan.
Hiking: This refers to walking along rural paths, traditional
trade routes, or pilgrimage roads. At present, such travel takes
place mainly in the areas with the Qomolangmo, Xixabangma, and holy
lakes and holy mountains in Ngari.
 Scientific
survey: Tibet is known as the Òthird pole
of the earth.ÕÕ Young ranges of the Himalayas, unique
topography, climate, rivers, lakes, glaciers, permafrost, plants
and animals are targets of scientific surveys by Chinese and foreign
scientists.
Mountaineering: Beginning in 1980, China opened
21 high peaks including the Qomolangmo and Xixabangma. In 1993,
China opened another batch of 22 peaks located totally or partly
in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Thus far, some 70 groups from a
dozen countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France,
Germany and Japan, have come to climb these high peaks.
Enjoyment of religion: In the Tibet Autonomous
Region, Mani stone mounds and colorful sutra streamers are found
at mountain mouths, lakesides, and villages, and even in the wilderness.
Walking in the urban and rural areas, one will easily come across
lamas draped in dark red kasaya who prostrate themselves in inching
forward toward the sought-after holy terminal. Tours of this part
of the world highlight such religious activities.
Folklore tour: The Tibetan race has developed
its own folklore. The festivals, wedding, funeral, celebration,
production and lifestyle are all different from other parts of China.
Tibetans have their own costumes, music, songs and dances.
Hotels
There are 50 hotels in the Tibet Autonomous Region to serve tourists.
They include 14 starred ones.
Travel Services
There are 36 travel services in the Tibet Autonomous Region. They
include five which are first-class ones specialized in organizing
overseas tourists to visit Tibet, and six which are second-class
ones responsible for receiving overseas tour groups. Third-class
travel services engaged in receiving tour groups and individual
visitors are on the rise.
|
|
