Lhasa, a city comprising tradition and modernization

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

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It is very interesting that Lhasa is a city comprising tradition and modernization. In the morning, the young in a local Tibetan family might drive a car to work at 9:00 every work day; with rock music broadcasted in the car, but at the same time, his parents or grandparents are on their way to do daily ritual walk around the Jokhang temple. When you travel to Tibet, such a city may offer you a wonderful experience that you would never forget.

Around the Potala Palace Square, in front of the Jokhang Temple, the devout Tibetans repeat their worship day by day.

People sit in comfortable chairs, drink a cup of sweet tea in the sunshine with a newspaper in their hands: such scenes are commonly seen in Lhasa's street. In a warm afternoon, many aged grandpas and grandmas sit against the wall, watching crowds coming and going.

As for the reasons why they like easygoing life, the high altitude of over 3,600 meters, oxygen-deficient atmosphere and strong ultraviolet rays are often mentioned as causes of the slow pace of Lhasa people.

Apart from this, there is also a kind of carefree attitude towards life. Slow life always leads to happiness. In the "CCTV 2010 Economy and Life Survey", Lhasa paled the other 104 cities to rank first. Residents there live with strong sense of happiness.

The slow Lhasa has her own temperament, and everyone coming here will love her because of the unprecedented quietness and unique charm.

However, all these just reveal Tibetans' view towards life. In fact, Lhasa has never slowed down its development and construction pace. Instead, it developed faster and faster. Life here is modern, filling with tall buildings, new automobiles and the latest mobile phones. Even in the monasteries, computers and digital cameras have been commonly used.

However, modernization does not damage the traditions of local people. The Tibetans still persist on their belief and preserve their traditional customs and festivals. During traditional festivals, like Losar Festival, Saga Dawa Festival and Shoton Festival, tourists can still feel strong festive atmosphere and watch traditional ritual ceremony, Tibetan performances, Tibetan people in traditional costumes, Tibetan Buddhists from far away, etc.

Recommended Tibet festival tours:

Saga Dawa Festival Tour 2013

Shoton Festival Tours 2013

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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