Tibet is an area already blessed with beautiful valleys, mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and forests. The natural scenery of Tibet is breathtaking, but a Tibet tour without culture is a tour without soul. Now, Tibetan culture gets helping hand from local authority.
The tourism authority in Nyingchi prefecture in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region is focusing on long-neglected local culture.
More than 10 ethnic groups and an ancient tribe live in the prefecture, from where the indigenous Bon religion and Tibetan medical science originate.
"As tourists expect more out of their journeys, we need to focus our efforts on exploring local cultures to develop cultural products."
Wang said the development of cultural products is no match for the natural beauty on offer in the area and that Nyingchi "has benefited too much" from nature's gifts.
Adjoining India and Myanmar and situated on the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, Nyingchi lies on a plateau.
The monthly magazine Chinese National Geography awarded its "most beautiful in China" accolade to five areas of natural beauty in Nyingchi. These include the most beautiful valley - the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, the most beautiful mountain - the summit of Namjagbarwa, and the most beautiful glacier - the Midui Glacier.
This year, the prefecture has welcomed 2.27 million tourists, with tourism contributing 24 percent of local GDP in 2011.
However, Wang is worried that Nyingchi does not provide sufficient cultural attractions for visitors, saying, "Nyingchi has more to offer culturally than natural beauty".
According to official documents, Nyingchi has 49 monasteries and 96 sites for religious activities. Local kingdoms fought wars in ancient times, and relics of manors, castles and tombs remain.
The region is also home to more than 10 ethnic groups and its last ancient tribe, the Deng people, on the Sino-Indian border.
"Introducing the lesser-known traditions and religions of local tribes and ethnic groups to tourists could protect the culture," Wang said.
For example, Wang said the bureau recorded the dance moves of the Lhoba ethnic group, then composed music and dances and asked elders to direct the performance.
It also engaged experts from Beijing to develop local intangible heritage assets into souvenirs, and has renovated 17 collapsed houses built by a former chief of the Deng people's tribe for his 17 wives.
"We combine culture with tourism. The principle for the exploration work is not damaging culture but presenting it," Wang said.
Zhu Jingjing, 22, a tourist from Beijing, said she supports government moves to develop tourism to improve local people's lives, but any development should be managed carefully.
"No one wants locals' lives being spoiled by outsiders. It is governments' responsibility as well as tourists' responsibility to protect."
Tang Hao, Zhu's friend, said he enjoyed spending the past five days in a villager's house instead of in hotels.
"I long for Tibet, not only because of the blue sky or snowy mountains. I want to retreat from city life by living with local people and especially learning their philosophies." (from chinadaily)
.jpg "Tibetan Local Travel Agency")
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