Tibet's capital of Lhasa received 57,093 tourists during the May Day holiday from May 1 to 3, up 22.79 percent year on year, the Lhasa City Bureau of Tourism said.

The city's tourism revenue totaled 28.11 million yuan($4.12 million), surging 20.38 percent over the same period of last year, according to Wang Ping, deputy director of the bureau.

Wang attributed the brisk tourism market to Lhasa's charming culture, unique ecological environment and trends of holiday tourism.

"Lhasa is expected to have a tourism peak next month as the tourist season is nearing," Wang said.

Self-drive tourism has been becoming increasingly popular among the visitors to Lhasa, according to a Lhasa Evening News report.

"I prefer self-drive tourism because I can travel without restrictions imposed by travel agencies and enjoy a contented journey with my friends," a male tourist surnamed Wang said.