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.