The hot springs in Woka township in Tibet, once exclusively enjoyed by former Tibetan religious rulers, are now serving as a herders' resort.

The government of Sangri County in Shannan prefecture yesterday opened the seven hot springs free to the public.

The springs, once the Dalai Lamas' personal resort, were traditionally regarded as a forbidden place by Tibetans.

According to living Buddha Lobsang at the Qulong Monastery, which is opposite to the hot springs, 13 Dalai Lamas bathed in the Zhuoluoka hot spring, the most famous among the seven, on their worshipping trip to the holy lake Lamulacuo. Another hot spring was said to have served Zongkaba, founder of Gelugba, or Yellow Lamaism, a major sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

(eastday.com October 22, 2003)