The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet (China.org.cn/Photo by Zheng Yongbo)

Home to about 3.2 million people, Tibet can be called the mosaic of Chinese ethnic diversity as it is inhabited by 45 of the 56 ethnic groups throughout China, and has a unique tradition of cultural and religious practices.

Among the historical assets of Tibet is the ages old but still influential practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Introduced from India around the 7th century AD, Tibetan Buddhism has its own features and holds a significant place in the life of the Tibetan people. On the days dedicated for ritual ceremonies, followers of the religion amass in the temples and stand in long lines to salute the sacred palace monastery and relics.

Located on the hilly area of Lhasa City, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Potala Palace is a big architectural structure that was used as an office of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders called the the Dalai Lamas.

Every day about 4,000 people visit this historical Palace. While Lhasa City itself is located at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level, the Potala Palace is located on a hill, its main tower is 117 meters high.

The beautiful and unique architecture of the building as seen from outside speaks volumes about its spiritual and social status. The interior of the building is also beautifully designed and painted with pictures of ancient architectural heritage. It consists of many sections that served as both areas of worship as well as the office of the spiritual leader Dalai Lamas. It contains a lot of religious equipment, scriptures and paintings.

While the Potala Palace served as the administrative office of the Dalai Lamas, the Jokhang Temple Monastery which is located a walking distance from it is the largest and historically important temple in Tibetan Buddhism. It contains most of the important statues of Buddha in the history of Tibet

One of them and the largest one is the Buddha which Princess Wencheng brought with her when she was married off to the Tibetan prince. Princess Wencheng is daughter of the Han emperor of Tang Dynasty in the mid 7th century.

he summer season is the favorite time for Tibetan farmers to come to the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple and worship as they take a break from their agricultural work. They usually make offerings of money, elephant tusks and porcelain vases among others. Prayer usually involves burning incense, reading holy scriptures and a unique form of prostration in which the laity lie flat on the floor of the temple or the compound. In spite of some differences in basic religious tenets, the ritual ceremonies, construction and decoration of temples and the dress code of the Buddhist monks are amazingly identical to the traditions of Ethiopian Orthodox Church that I belong to. The feeling of proximity made me bless my presence in Tibet.

Buddhism was the earliest religion in Tibet. Later, in the 17th century, Islam and Christianity were also introduced. About 10,000 Muslims and 500 Christians live harmoniously in various cities of Tibet. According to Yixi Ping Cuo, the head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Office of Tibet, followers of both Christianity and Islam have now blended with Tibetan society and live together harmoniously.

Both the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are registered by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. In addition to the sites, the practices of the followers and the culture are also likely to become World Heritage and attract many people from across the world.

Tibet has the highest plateau of the Earth which is over 4,000 meters high. As a result it is nicknamed the roof of the world or the third pole (after the North Pole and South Pole). All these wonders are found atop this strange place, which adds to the uniqueness of a trip to Tibet.

The government of China is playing a key role in conserving the rich culture, language and religion of Tibetan people. One of the important and direct interventions is maintaining the social and physical wellbeing of monks and nuns of the religion. The Tibet Autonomous Region Foreign Affairs Office Director Liu Zheqiang says the government of China provides social security schemes for monks and nuns, free medical treatment and living allowances.

Prior to 1949 Tibet used to be a backward and feudal region where the resources of 95 percent of the people were controlled by 5 percent of the feudal lords. People also had no right to property and rather used to be considered property themselves. During the period a popular saying went: "When slaves die, they do not take anything except their own shadows, but leave behind their labor."

Tibet remained backward in the manufacturing industry, road, electricity and related infrastructure. With the support of the central government of China, Tibet is now changing its image and progressing well in infrastructure and urban development.

All its progress has ushered in a bright future for Tibet, the Regional Foreign Affairs Office indicates. This is because Tibet has many unique wonders, and the development in infrastructure facilities and hospitality industry will promote its accessibility and popularity.