Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
In the height of summer, Xizang welcomes a steady stream of tourists with cloudless, azure skies. On the shores of Namtso Lake, located more than 4,700 meters above sea level, a 26-year-old Xizang resident named Sga helps tourists take photos while riding yaks.
Namtso means "heavenly lake" in Tibetan. Sga is a resident of Namtso village, which is located in Damshung County, Lhasa. After graduating from university, he returned to his home village and now earns more than 9,000 yuan a month. "Working from home, I can take care of my family and contribute to the development of my hometown," Sga says happily.
There are many workers like Sga in the Namtso tourist area. Thanks to the professional training provided by the local government, they improve their service level and become "representatives" of Namtso.
July 16, landscape of Zhasi Island in Namtso tourist area (photo taken from drone).
As tourism booms in Xizang, more and more farmers and herders are finding work close to home.
"More than 85 percent of our staff are locals, including forest rangers, guides, drivers, etc.," said Zhang Longquan, chairman of the Namtso Tourism Zone Protection and Development Company in Lhasa. He said the tourism services have increased local income by about 20 million yuan this year.
Statistics show that the Namtso tourist area received a total of 5.11 million tourists from 2014 to 2024. The booming tourism industry is becoming a new engine for the revival of local villages and towns.
In recent years, the Zhaxie Island tourist area has upgraded eco-friendly public toilets, electric tour vehicles and other infrastructure, and set up an environmental monitoring station that monitors the lake's water quality and vegetation changes in real time.
Li Xiaochao, a tourist from Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, first visited Xizang in 2008. This year, he came back with his daughter. The two dressed up in colorful clothes and filmed short videos on the shore of Namtso Lake to capture the highlights. “Xizang has changed a lot in recent years, the infrastructure has become more advanced, and the tourism service has become more professional,” Li Xiaochao said.
In Biru County, Nagchu City, the tranquil Sapu Mountains have also become a popular tourist destination. The lakeside meadows are dotted with Xizang tents. Travelers enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains and lake, and watch dance performances by a local art troupe, which are part of the intangible cultural heritage. According to Wang Liming, a car tourist from Liaoning Province, the scenery here is unrivaled and a must-see.
Dantseng Dajie, head of Sapu Snow Mountain Tourism Area, is a native of Biru County. After graduating from Xizang Vocational College, he decided to return to his homeland and work as a tour guide. “When I tell stories about my homeland to many people, it gives me a sense of satisfaction,” he says.
Sapu Snow Mountain on July 19 (photo taken from a drone).
In recent years, with the support of policy measures and brand building, Xijiang's tourism industry has developed steadily and achieved high performance. Data show that from January to June 2025, Xijiang received 31.2848 million domestic and overseas tourists, up 11.67% year-on-year. The number of foreign tourists was 196.4 thousand, up 31.2% year-on-year, and the number of domestic tourists was 31.0884 million, up 11.57% year-on-year. The output value of the cultural industry exceeded 7.724 billion yuan, up 21.2% year-on-year, and more than 53 thousand various cultural events were held.
From Namtso Lake to Sapu Snow Mountain, from the Potala Palace to the Jokhang Monastery, Xizang attracts tourists from all over the world with its magnificent natural resources and unique cultural heritage. The tourism boom in Xizang has also attracted more farmers and herders, who demonstrate Xizang’s outstanding culture and hospitality, as well as gain employment opportunities close to home and benefit from the development of the region.
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