Nyingchi [Photo/Xinhua]

In September every year, Nyingchi, known as "Oriental Switzerland" will attract a large number of tourists.

According to the estimation of Nyingchi Tourism Administration, the Yarlung Zangbo River Ecological and Cultural Tourism Festival to be held during September 26 to 30 will attract more than 20,000 tourists.

Located in southeast Tibet Autonomous Region and the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, Nyingchi is one of China's largest virgin forest areas, with a forest coverage rate of over 50 percent. It has been known as "Oriental Switzerland" and "Kingdom of Animals and Plants". One important reason for visiting Nyingchi at this time is to appreciate its autumn scenery. The vegetations along the Yarlung Zangbo River and Nyang River start to yellow, forming a beautiful contrast with the limpid river.

The local cypress tourist spot boasts lots of cypresses over one thousand years old. The large cypress is thick enough for several persons to encircle it. Wang Quanwu comes from Hebei to Nyingchi, saying: "Nyingchi features thick forests, limpid water and blue sky, making people very relaxed. Such original scenery is rare in the hinterland."

Wang is also ready to join the activity of walking through the Basumtso Lake Tourist Area during the Yarlung Zangbo River Ecological and Cultural Tourism Festival.

"A new route is selected for the activity this year. I am looking forward to the ecological landscape along the route," said Wang.

Miss Ni from Sichuan said: "I like travel and photography. Traveling in Tibet now, to a certain extent, avoids the peak time of July and August here. Moreover, accommodation and travel is inexpensive now."

At present, some hotels in Nyingchi have an occupancy rate of some 50 percent. Ordinary hotel room is about 150 yuan per night. The tickets to many scenic spots have a discount. For example, the ticket to Nanyi Valley is over 200 yuan in the boom season but will have a discount of 50 percent at most in October.