The Qinghai-Tibet railway is an unrivalled achievement, becoming the first train in Chinese history to reach the roof of the world. And following in its tracks, tourism in Tibet has boomed by over 50 percent.
This phenomenon has led to high hotel occupancy rates in Tibetan capital Lhasa, giving a new life to an undeveloped territory.
Still, the province has remained fiercely Tibetan - culturally and religiously.
"We have launched a win-win scenario whereby tourism and the protection of the environment works hand-in-hand," said Januo, Tibet's director general of tourism.
Beijing authorities say the railroad link will open Tibet up for economic development and much needed tourism income to improve living conditions.
With a population of 2.7 million, the Tibetan Autonomous Region, as it is politically known, has the lowest gross domestic product (GDP) of all Chinese provinces at $2.6 billion in 2004.
It took innovative Chinese engineers five years to complete the last section of the 1,142-km railway from Golmud in Qinghai province to Lhasa.
"Tourism is a main pillar of the economy in Tibet," Januo said. "We started late, behind touristic development in other Chinese provinces, so there is a gap between Tibet and the others."
Januo said Tibet lacks professional planners and managers to develop tourism and meet the increasing demands of travelers - a situation that prevents the kind of year-round tourism seen in other countries.
Januo believes Tibet can handle many more tourists than the 4,000 daily arrivals. The province expects 2.6 million visitors in 2006, up from last year's 1.8 million, largely due to the train's daily run. Tourists also arrive in fully booked planes and buses from Sichuan province.
The Potala Palace in Lhasa stands as an imposing and majestic structure on the highest hill in the capital, defying politics and revolutions and receiving about 2,300 visitors a day who climb its spiralling stone pavement to reach the top.
"The palace is not a religious place," said Tantsin Namgyal, the palace's administrator. The palace had served as a winter retreat for past Dalai Lamas - eight of them are now buried in shrines on top floors.
Though the palace receives about 400,000 visitors a year, Namgyal said the top tourist season is only from June to September. "We hope tourists can visit all year round. We don't freeze in winter," he added.
Source:佚名