Plan to boost tourism potential of Tibet autonomous region

Southwestern China's Tibet autonomous region showed what it has to offer to winter vacationers in Beijing at an event on Dec 18.

Warm weather, ethnic culture, snowy mountains and hot springs are some of the big draws for visitors.

Tibet offers sunny winter days and starry nights, and many who have visited Lhasa have seen more than 130 types of birds in the season, says the Tibet tourism authority. In addition, folk events and Buddhist celebrations mostly take place in winter.

Meanwhile, the Tibet tourism authority signed an agreement at the event with its Beijing counterpart, to boost the region's tourism development.

Tibet's tourism has grown significantly in recent years and the region has become one of the favorite destinations for Beijing residents, Xu Zhijun, the deputy secretary-general of the Beijing government, said at the event.