LHASA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Tibet expects to receive three million domestic and foreign tourists in 2009, said an official with the regional tourism administration here on Saturday.

    Tibet received 230 tourists from Macao and Zhuhai City in south China's Guangdong Province on late Saturday. The tour is the biggest ever since the first operation of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. They will have a nine-day-tour in Tibet, visiting many scenic spots including the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

Tibetan girls present highland barley wine to tourists from Macao and Zhuhai in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday, April 11, 2009. Tibet received 230 tourists from Macao and Zhuhai City in south China's Guangdong Province on late Saturday.   (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Qinghai-Tibet Railway had brought 7.6 million passengers to Tibet in two years and most of them were visitors, said Wang Songping, deputy director of Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Administration.

    The administration will mainly focus on attracting domestic tourists in 2009 and expects to receive about 2.9 million domestic tourists, Wang said.

    Tibet received 2.25 million tourists last year, among whom 2.17 million were domestic tourists.

Visitors from Macao and Zhuhai City pose for photos with Tibetans in a hotel in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 11, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Mexican tourist: comfortable to travel in Tibet

    BEIJING，April 9 -- Sergio Montano, a Mexican travel lover felt satisfied with his one-day visit in Lhasa. He said: "Traveling in Tibet is so impressive and comfortable."

    Sergio Montano and his wife flew from Chengdu to Lhasa to start their four-day Tibet tour on April 6. They visited the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkor Street, Drepung Monastery, Norbu Lingka and Sera Monastery on April 6 and 7.

Tibet receives 1st foreign tourist group after resuming tourism

    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.

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.