The festival atmosphere in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is so hot that people can see red lanterns and color banners here and there as the New Year Festival draws near.

Businessmen are busy as the markets become hotter for the approaching festival.

In the Yaowang Mountain Farmers' Market, stalls full of cabbages, peppers, apples, peaches and etc. provide customers with enough goods to choose.

Supermarkets are holding promotional activities to attract more customers, who are busy shopping to celebrate for festival. "We feel happy as the new year approaches, so our family go shopping today together," said Miss Wei, who was selecting things in Baiyi Supermarket, which is located at the Beijing Middle Road in Lhasa.

In addition, rural people are selling their self-made products such as milk sediments for they are popular among customers.

Tea houses, coffee bars, bookshops and parks are full of people as well.

Not only the local people but also tourists enjoy the auspicious ambience. "I took a leave to visit Lhasa before the New Year in order to stay longer to enjoy the sunshine and the New Year Festival," said Mr. Li, a visitor from Shanxi Province, "We don't worry about our trip at all even though Lhasa suffered the March 14 Riots."

Source:China Tibet Information Center