Tens of thousands of residents of Lhasa, capital city of Tibet, are busy stocking up on food and engaging in worship of Buddha at temples in celebration of the Tibetan Lunar New Year, which falls on Mar. 3.
Dressed in brand-new Tibetan clothes, the worshipers, forming a long 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 (900 U.S. dollars), while the average net income for farmers and herdsmen was 1,570 (140 U.S. dollars) in 2002, respective increases of 51.5 and 44.7 percent from 1997.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)
