Impressions of Tibet (August 2011)

China Daily website reporter Song Wei spent 10 days in Tibet, Aug 20-Aug 30, 2011. This special coverage includes some of the stories and images she witnessed at the roof of the world. It portrays Tibet and its people, and highlights changes in the past six decades since its peaceful libration. 

XIGAZE, TIBET - It is 5:30 pm, the sun is still scorching the ground in Tibet. At Minhang Boarding Middle School, Gyangze, Tibet's Xigaze prefecture, some students are playing outside after school.

But a class has just begun. Thirty students, sitting on mats on the floor of a classroom elaborately decorated in the Tibetan style, are reading aloud in Tibetan. A teacher, sitting in the front, is leading the reading.

The school's principal, Tsering, introduced this as one of a few elective Tibetan classes, after school from Monday to Friday. The classes include Tibetan calligraphy, Tibetan poetry and other Tibetan cultural curriculum.

"I hope these classes will help those children to know more about Tibetan traditions and culture," said Tsering. "As I see it, it is a good way to preserve our Tibetan culture."

In the school, where 99 percent of students are Tibetan, the students have at least seven Tibetan classes every week, not counting elective classes.

"But the compulsory Tibetan classes do not seem enough," said Laro, who teaches an elective Tibetan class.

"For example, some students don't pay attention to Tibetan calligraphy even though they can speak it fluently, so our elective class can make up for that," explained Laro. [More]

 Click here to see more Yamdrok Tso photos

Makye Ame is one of the best known Tibetan restaurants in Lhasa. Located in the southwest corner of the Barkhor Bazaar, the restaurant serves contemporary interpretations of Himalayan dishes like curried potatoes, roasted lamb, grilled mushrooms, etc.

Makye Ame imeans "unmarried girl" in Tibetan language.