To promote development of Tibet's tourist industry, the region will build a north-south tourist belt and an east-west tourist belt based on the ancient Tang-Tibet and tea routes over the next several years, according to the Tourism Administration of Tibet Autonomous Region.

The tourist belt running north and south will be built along the historical and cultural Tang-Tibet route, with access to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and other roads. Another tourist belt running east to west will be established along the historical tea trade route, the holy mountains and lakes in the Ngari area, with access to the Sichuan-Tibet, Yunnan-Tibet and Xinjiang-Tibet highways.

The two tourist belts will cover many world-class tourist areas and scenic spots, including the Potala Palace, Qomolangma, Brahmaputra River, the holy mountains and lakes in the Ngari area and salt wells. Tibet will strengthen infrastructure construction and prioritize the perfection of tourist services and tourism facilities for the two belts. The autonomous region’s government will strive to build, popularize and promote tourist spots near the tourist belts, according to Yu Yungui, vice director of the Tourism Administration of Tibet Autonomous Region.