LHASA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists have begun entering Tibet as the region lifted a month-long suspension.

    A total of 25 tourist groups will arrive in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, Sunday.

German tourists arrived at the railway station in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 4, 2009. It is estimated that some 200 foreign tour groups will visit Tibet in April. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    More than 500 foreign tourists traveling with more than 200 groups are expected to visit Tibet before April 20, according to the Tibet Autonomous Regional Tourism Bureau.

    The tourists are from the United States, Canada, France, Japan, Italy, Denmark and Australia- to name a few, according to the bureau.

    Long lines of tourists could be seen at the entrance of the grand Potala Palace Sunday morning. Many tourists were busy taking pictures.

    "We are receiving more foreign tourists now than any other time since March 14 last year," said Liu Mingzan, manager of the Tibet Qamdo International Travel Agency, referring to the date of the violence in the regional capital Lhasa last year.

    Liu said his travel agency will receive five foreign tourist groups in the next few days.

    "We are fully prepared for more tourists," he said.

A tour guide presents a Hada to a German tourist as he arrives at the railway station in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 4, 2009.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    A German group of 11 tourists arrived in Lhasa Saturday night and began its six-day visit in this southwest China region. It is the first foreign tourist group allowed in Tibet after the government announced it would reopen local tourism to foreign visitors a week ago.

    "I have been preparing for the trip since last year," said a German tourist named Nick. "The places I want to go most are the Potala Palace and Mount Qomolangma."

    "I have little worry about the safety here in Lhasa, where everything appears normal," he told Xinhua. "The Tibetans I have met are very hospitable, which makes me feel at ease."

    His tour group will visit scenic spots including the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, Mount Qomolangma, and the Norbu Lingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. It will leave Tibet for Nepal Thursday.

    Bachug, head of the tourism administration of Tibet Autonomous Region, said Tibet suspended visits by foreigners in March for the sake of travelers' safety.

    "Tibet is harmonious and safe now. Travel agencies, tourist resorts and hotels are prepared for tourists," he said.

Official: Tibet to reopen to foreign tourists 

    LHASA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists will be allowed to get into Tibet as of April 5, a tourism official said here Sunday.

    "Tibet will resume receiving foreign tourists as of April 5, and we warmly welcome them," Bachug, head of the tourism administration of Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, told Xinhua.

Tibet to see big increase in tourist population from April

    BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- As Tibet is entering the best season for traveling, the region, famous for its grand scenery and unique ethnic features, will see a big increase in tourism from next month.

    Tourism in Tibet has seen a boom since the launch of "tour Tibet in winter" by the region's Tourism Bureau last year. In the first two months this year, the region reported a sharp rise in the number of visitors as many went there to experience the traditional Chinese Spring Festival as well as the Tibetan New Year.

Lhasa to be built into international tourist city

    BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, will be built into an international tourist city highlighting its unique plateau and ethnic characteristics.

    According to the Overall Plan for Lhasa (2009-2020) approved by the State Council, it will become a cosmopolitan with the theme of "Holy Snow land, Bright Pearl on the Plateau."

Social stability boosts Tibet's tourism

    BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Tibet received 120,000 tourists from home and abroad in the first two months of this year, a 4.8 percent increase year-on-year, according to the Tibet Regional Tourism Bureau.

    The region thus had a tourism revenue of 99.24 million yuan, up 0.6 percent over the same period last year.