For Konchog Drolma, a 5th grader from Lhasa, in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Beijing is no longer a faraway national capital.

As the 11-year-old Tibetan girl celebrates this year's International Children's Day, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Tsinghua and Peking universities, and even famed Peking Roast Duck have become vivid and unforgettable memories.

"I can't believe that my Beijing dream has been realized so soon. My two younger sisters are jealous of me as I am on my trip in Beijing to celebrate this day," she said joyfully.

Konchog Drolma is among a group of 13 Tibetan pupils selected as elite children representatives from Lhasa's 13 primary schools to join the Hand-in-Hand Programme along with 13 students from 13 Beijing schools as part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"The trip enables Tibetan students to step out the plateau to visit other places of the country. That will help broaden their horizons and stimulate thinking," said Phuntsog Namgyal, the team leader and an official with the Chengguan District in Lhasa.

Konchog Drolma believes this Beijing trip will be part of the pride she can share with her family and classmates.

She always feels proud of her parents' courage in climbing the Qomolangma, the world's highest peak.

Now she has something else to cherish.

Enjoying the performance of various "big fishes" in a Beijing aquatic park, seeing giant panda, spotted deer and hippos at the zoo, all impressed her very deeply.

"Beijing is really a wonderful place," she said.

Living with her hand-in-hand partner's family for two days has greatly enhanced her friendship with her little friend.

"I treated her to KFC food and other Beijing local snacks," said Tang Yang, Konchog Drolma's 11-year-old partner.

Tang, from the May First Primary School in Haidian District, said this is the most unusual June 1 day she has spent.

As a member of Beijing Yinhe Children's Art Troupe, a top dance performing group of its kind in China, Tang was supposed to showcase her dancing at China's largest TV station, China Central Television today, which has been a fixed part of her life in past years.

However, she gave it up.

"I still have many dancing opportunities in the days to come, but having a hand-in-hand Tibetan friend doesn't come everyday," Tang added.

What surprised Tang most is Konchog Drolma's fluent Putonghua.

"She greeted me first before I said 'hello' to her," said Tang.

After days of staying together, Tang found that there is little difference between them in terms of the living habits, style of dressing, and even the cartoon images they both love.

She spent two days in making a handicraft gift for Konchog Drolma, and, in turn, she is to get a secret Tibetan gift today.

(China Daily June 1, 2005)