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Tibet receives first tour group since March 14 unrest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-25 09:52

Tibet received its first domestic tour group since the March 14 unrest on Thursday evening, another sign the region was returning to normal.

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The 15-member tour group from the eastern city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, arrived at the Lhasa Railway Station at about 9:50 pm. Each was presented with a hada -- a long white silk scarf used as a greeting gift in Tibet -- by staff from the travel agency.

But they were soon put on a bus headed for a downtown hotel, declining to answer questions raised by reporters.

The tour group, including three women and 12 men, was arranged by the Tibet Century International Travel Service. They came by train from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, which borders Tibet.

"The group was originally scheduled to come here before March 14, but was delayed due to the unrest," a tour guide surnamed Zhang said. "We were notified by the regional tourism bureau a few days ago that we could re-arrange the tour group."

He said the tour group would visit the Potala Palace and Norbu Lingka Palace in Lhasa on Friday, and the Yamdroktso Lake on Saturday morning, one of three holy lakes located about 100 kilometers southwest of the Tibetan capital.

"They will leave Tibet on Saturday afternoon," said Zhang, without providing further details.

"Tourists needn't worry about their trip in Tibet, and we can ensure good services for them, such as catering, hotel and transport," said Zhanor, deputy director of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Tourism Bureau.

"Tibet will keep its image as a safe, healthy and civilized tourist destination," he said.

Zhanor revealed that another three tour groups comprising 34 domestic tourists arranged by travel agencies will visit Tibet on Friday, Saturday and this coming Tuesday.

But he did not say when Tibet will reopen to overseas tourists.

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