The number of tourist arrivals to southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region reached 1.3846 million during the first three months this year, up 30.1 percent from the same period last year.

According to the regional tourism development department, among the total number, over 1.37 million were made by domestic tourists, up 30.1 percent, while 5,217 were made by inbound tourists, up 30.9 percent.

The region registered tourism revenue of 1.544 billion yuan (230 million U. S. dollars) during the period, a growth of 22.3 percent year on year.

Tibet is a popular tourist destination with a rich ethnic culture, natural resources and beautiful scenery.

The region has 116 tourist areas with a continuously developing tourist industry and improving tourist facilities.

Its tourist arrivals exceeded 33.68 million in 2018, up 31.5 percent year on year, and it aims to receive a total of 40 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

Read more: Reporter's Diary: Travel in Tibet – more than Himalayas

(Cover: The Potala Palace in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. /VCG Photo)