Great efforts have been made in Lhasa to build a national model city in cultural and ideological progress for 12 years. Now this dream is realized! On December 20, 2011, Lhasa City, together with other 26 cities, was awarded the title of "National Model City in Cultural and Ideological Progress" under the authorization of the National Steering Committee of Cultural and Ideological Progress Development.

The selection of "National Model City in Cultural and Ideological Progress" covers every aspect of urban development. It is said that the title of "National Model City in Cultural and Ideological Progress" is equal to the all-around championship in the highest level sports games. In 2009 and 2010, Lhasa ranked 23rd and 20th respectively among provincial capital cities and deputy provincial cities in terms of urban public civilization index; in 2010, Lhasa ranked 16th among provincial capital cities and deputy provincial cities in terms of ideological and moral construction of under-age children, which laid a solid fundation for its application for the title of "National Model City in Cultural and Ideological Progress" this year. In September this year, Lhasa's comprehensive strength ranked 7th among provincial capital cities and deputy provincial cities in terms of the construction of national model city in cultural and ideological progress, according to the Civilization Office of the Central Communist Party Committee.

At the commendation conference for the construction of cultural and ideological progress in Beijing on December 20, 2011, 27 cities were awarded the title of "National Model City in Cultural and Ideological Progress"; 899 villages and 1794 units were awarded the titles of "National Model Village in Cultural and Ideological Progress" and "National Model Unit in Cultural and Ideological Progress" respectively.