Plateau a timeless tourist magnet

Dressed in vibrant outfits, Li Xiaochao and her daughter beamed at the camera, joyfully exclaiming, "We're at Namtso, and we're so excited!" The dazzling blue lake shimmered behind them, framed by the snow-capped Mount Nyainqentanglha.

Located in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Namtso Lake is regarded by Tibetans as the "heavenly lake". Standing at an elevation of 4,718 meters, it is the highest saltwater lake in the world.

Traveling all the way from Cangzhou, Hebei province, Li and her group spent the past week exploring some of Xizang's most famous landmarks, including the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon and the scenic area around Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest.

"This is actually my second time in Xizang; my first visit was back in 2008," Li said.

"The changes over the past 17 years have been incredible. The development here has been rapid, the locals are as warm and welcoming as ever, and the infrastructure has improved tremendously. Even after all these years, my experience this time has been just as wonderful," she added.

Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, Namtso Lake attracted 5.11 million domestic and international visitors between 2014 and 2024.

"As of mid-July this year, we have welcomed about 150,000 tourists," said Zhang Longquan, chairman of the Namtso Lake scenic area protection and development company, noting that the company's revenue has boosted local livelihoods by creating jobs such as hiring herdsmen to provide horses and yaks for tourists, and by distributing dividends to them.

"I earn about 9,000 yuan ($1,259) per month without having to work far from home," said Sigya, 26, a resident of a nearby village.

To better protect the lake's ecosystem, the company has upgraded the surrounding infrastructure, including introducing eco-friendly public toilets and electric sightseeing buses.

"Wildlife diversity in the area has significantly increased in recent years," Zhang said.

About 500 kilometers away, the Sapukonglagabo Mountain scenic area in Biru county, Nagqu city, is famous for its magnificent snowcapped mountains, spectacular glaciers and abundant wildlife. Its main peak soars to nearly 7,000 meters above sea level.

Wang Liming and her family, who have been on a road trip through several provinces, arrived at the scenic area on Saturday.

"Despite the challenges of altitude sickness, the stunning landscapes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau always leave us in awe. The climate here is wonderful, and the intangible cultural heritage performances by Tibetan artists are truly unique," said Wang, who hails from Liaoning province in Northeast China. "The exhaustion of the long drive was absolutely worth it."

Drolma, a local resident of Biru county, spent her weekend picnicking with family in the scenic area.

"We are so happy to see more tourists from home and abroad visiting Xizang," she said. "Many locals have jumped on the tourism bandwagon, increasing their incomes as the industry grows."

"The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as 'world's third pole', spans vast regions including Xizang and Qinghai province, boasting unique natural resources and magnificent landscapes that have long captivated global travelers," said Luo Hui, an associate researcher of the China Tibetology Research Center.

"In recent years, the central government and local authorities in Xizang have vigorously promoted the high-quality development of the tourism industry. Through measures such as introducing supportive policies, creating distinctive tourism brands and optimizing diverse travel routes, they are striving to make the region a world-class tourist destination," Luo added.

In the first half of this year, Xizang saw 31.28 million tourist visits, up 11.67 percent year-on-year, according to the regional culture and tourism department. Of the total, inbound tourist arrivals surged 31.2 percent to 196,400.

Tourism revenue in the region totaled 31.55 billion yuan in the same period, marking a 10.18 percent year-on-year increase.

Xinhua