The first China Tibet Tourism and Culture International Exposition began in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region on Sept.25.[Photo/China Tibet Online]

LHASA,Sept.26(China Tibet Online) The First China Tibet Tourism and Culture International Exposition began in Lhasa, which is the first expo of its kind held in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

At the opening ceremony, performers put on ethnic Tibetan dances such as the speedy Ralpa drum dance, the dynamic Dro dance the modern Tibetan dance as well as the traditional Tibetan Opera. The expo is divided into three parts, including the "Auspicious Tibet", "Inspirations to Tibet" and "Fulfilling Dream of Tibet".

Cai Wu, minister of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, and Director of the Organizing Committee of the Tibet Expo said: "Culture is the soul of tourism, and tourism is the carrier of culture. The Tibet expo will effectively promote the integration and development of the cultural and tourist industries, and march a step further toward the objective of developing Tibet into the important world tourist destination and the site for the protection of ethnic Chinese culture."

The dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the First China Tibet Tourism and Culture International Exposition[Photo/China Tibet Online]

"Tibet is a pearl on the Chinese tourist map. The Tibet Expo has not only set up a platform for its unique natural landscape, folk customs and ethnic culture, but also the one for trading of its various tourist products between Tibet’s tourist sector and its counterparts in other places of China and the world, which will advance Tibet’s economic development and social prosperity," said Du Jiang, deputy director-general of the China National Tourism Administration.

The expo, scheduled from Sept. 25 to 27, is jointly sponsored by China's Ministry of Culture, the China National Tourism Administration and the People’s Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region. With the theme of "Sacred Land, Heavenly Tibet", it aims to create a high end stage for tourism exchanges and cultural promotion between the Tibet Autonomous Region and the rest of China as well as the world at large.

During the expo, activities including the Tibet’s Thangka Masterpiece Exhibition,the Exhibition of Tibet’s Cultural Industry, Tibet’s Best Cultural Relics Exhibition, the promotion of the Top Scenic Spots Boulevard as well as the tourist products trade fair will be conducted. In the meantime, the First China Tibet Tourism and Culture Keynote Seminor will be held. Officials, Tibetologists and entrepreneurs from home and abroad will discuss about how to "develop key sites for the protection of Chinese ethnic culture" and "develop important world tourist destination".

Parmanand Jha, Vice President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and the leader of the World Tourism Orgnization as well as over 300 guests from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony.