The Booming Tourism in Tibet

Known as the “sun city”, Lhasa witnessed a tourism boom in the 1st 8 months of 2013, tourist current rising 19.6% year on year. 6.08 million travelers came to Lhasa in the duration of Jan. to Aug., bringing 5.6 billion CNY in. The tourism revenue has increased 23.4% by far.

Summer is the peak travel season for Tibet, with the kick-off of traditional festival like Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day and Shoton Festival. Visitors from home and abroad swarmed to Lhasa. Attractions like Potala Palace, Jokhing Temple and Namtso Lake were the major destinations of all these choices.

Shoton Festival, also known as the Yogurt Banquet Festival, would last for a week in early Aug.. Its origin dates back to the 11th century, ans was only a religious ceremony. Local people would offer sacrifice–yogurt to monks. However, since the 17th century, Shoton Festival transformed into a civil celebration. Now, it is considered one of the most important festivals on Tibetan calendar. This festival this year alone attracted 1.38 million tourist, breaking the record, and brought 285 million CNY income.

Lhasa now is preparing for the National Day on Oct. 1, the week-long holiday in China. It is also the last peak travel period of a year. Travel agencies are busying with booking tickets and hotels in advance.

source: Tibettravel.Org, 25 Sept 2013