Lhasa to host tourism events amidst rising tourist numbers

Tourists pose for photos near the Jokhang Temple - part of a UNESCO cultural heritage site in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Lhasa, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, will run a series of cultural and tourism activities in the coming weeks to provide a cultural feast with traditional Tibetan cultures and unique plateau landscapes.

According to a news conference held in Lhasa on Friday, the city will host activities from May 17 to 26, including a cultural and tourism industrial development conference, ethnic art performances, traditional dances, folk customs experience activities, an investment promotion conference, and an exhibition and sales fair for cultural tourism products.

Lhasa is an ancient city with a history of over 1,300 years, surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the distance. It is home to famous cultural heritage sites such as the Potala Palace, the Norbulingka Park and the Jokhang Temple.

According to official statistics, the city received nearly 37.6 million tourists in 2023, up 60.87 percent compared to 2019. Tourism revenue reached 46.4 billion yuan ($6.4 billion), an increase of 33 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

In the first quarter of this year, the city received 3.5 million domestic and foreign tourists, an increase of 87.6 percent year-on-year, achieving a tourism revenue of 3.59 billion yuan with an increase of 132.64 percent year-on-year.