Lhasa´s tourism hit hard by riots

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-01-2008 09:25

Lhasa's tourism industry has been hit hard by the riots. The number of visitors is now gradually picking up, but is still far from normal.

Pilgrims praying at the magnificent Potala Palace, and walking around the holy site. This looks just like any other day in the center of Lhasa.

Normally packed with tourists from around the world, the Potola Palace now sees only a handful of guests.

But something is much different. Now you must pass through a beefed up security check to get inside the palace. Normally packed with tourists from around the world, the Potola Palace now sees only a handful of guests.

A tourist said, "I knew it’s off-season. But I didn't expect so few."

The only sound reverberating inside the Palace is a major renovation underway to enhance the structure.

Usually, a maximum of 2,300 tickets are sold every day. The day is already half over now, and they only sold 23 tickets.

Instead of being in good spirits to welcome tourists, 66-year-old Qamba Galsang is angry. Better known as Potola's guardian, Gamba is head of its management office. And he's not mad about the lack of tourists, but the riots two weeks ago.

Instead of being in good spirits to welcome tourists, 66-year-old Qamba Galsang is angry.

Qamba Galsang said, "I am very upset. I saw the news on TV. So many people were killed. This is not allowed. Tibetan Buddhism forbids killing or looting. Those doctrines are very strict."

Gamba has been Potala's caretaker for 20 years. He told us he is very proud of the salvation and protection work over the years to keep the palace's treasures in good shape. This latest endeavor will cost the equivalent of 25 million US dollars.

Qamba Galsang said, "The country has made huge investments in protecting the Palace. The separatists claimed that the classic Buddhist tomes are all gone. In recent years, they fell short of words, because all relics have been registered."

Gamba also says a better protected palace goes along with the fast growing city of Lhasa. Gamba says the Dalai Lama claimed that Tibet has not been developing, but he argues if the Dalai Lama does not see it, then he does not have the right to comment.

Editor:Zhang Ning