Taking exercise has become a key leisure mode for local residents in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

In 2011, nearly millions took part in the national fitness program and the mass sports cause gained all-round development, according to the regional Sports Department.

To enrich locals' sports life and develop distinctive sports culture, Tibet carried out various interesting sports activities during different festivals and on National Fitness Day, said Dekyi Drolkar, director-general of the department.

Tibet People's Government inscribed the "national fitness" into its 12th Five-Year (2011-2015) economic and social development plan as well as the regional financial budget.

In recent years, Tibet has conducted a total of 2,430 fit-keeping projects for rural Tibetans, over 1,430 national-fitness related projects and 35 other fitness projects. In addition, it has enlarged the free openness of some stadiums to the society, especially to the disabled.

With the increased construction of the infrastructure, Tibetan athletes have achieved good results in national mass sports competitions. In 2011, the Tibet team received altogether 49 awards at the 9th Traditional Minority National Games.

Besides, climbing mountains has highlighted its national fitness program. So far, Tibet has successfully hosted the 9th "Tibet Mountaineering Festival", Yangbajain Mountaineering Training Base and Himalayas Mountaineering Museum, greatly popularizing the mountaineering sport.