The hot springs in Woka township once exclusively enjoyed by former Tibetan religious rulers are now serving as a herders' resort in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China.

The local government of Sangri county in Shannan prefecture Tuesday opened the seven hot springs in the township to the public for free, which, as the Dalai Lamas' personal resort in the past, were traditionally regarded as a forbidden place by local Tibetans.

According to living Buddha Lobsang at the Qulong Monastery, which is opposite to the hot springs, 13 Dalai Lamas bathed in the Zhuoluoka hot spring the most famous among the seven, on their worshipping trip to the holy lake Lamulacuo.

Another hot spring was said to have served Zongkaba, founder of Gelugba, or Yellow Lamaism, a major sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

County officials said that the hot springs whose water temperature ranges from 35 to 65 degrees centigrade, are rich in minerals, which are believed to be helpful in curing diseases.

The county will also further develop the hot spring area, making it a tourism destination, officials said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2003)