Tens of thousands of residents in Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region are busy stocking up on food and engaging in worship of the Buddha at temples in celebration of the advent of the Tibetan Lunar New Year, which falls on Mar. 3.
Dressed in brand-new Tibetan clothes, the worshipers, forming along line, moved slowly through each hall of the Johkang Temple in downtown Lhasa, paying homage to the Buddha and praying for blessings for their relatives, friends and for themselves.
The Potala Palace was also crowded with local worshipers and visitors from other parts of China.
Nearly every type of fresh fruit, vegetables, pastries, fish, beef and mutton can be found in Lhasa's markets, which has left behind the days of scarcity in the winter.
A number of modern department stores have emerged in the city in recent years. Everyday needs and fashionable garments are available in stores for local residents and for Tibetan farmers from other parts of Tibet.
Tibetan urban residents registered 2002 per capita disposable income of 7,760 yuan (US$900), while the average net income for farmers and herdsmen was 1,570 (US$140) in 2002, respective increases of 51.5 and 44.7 percent from 1997.
(People's Daily March 3, 2003)
