The Xizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China has demonstrated remarkable tourism resilience, welcoming over 70.73 million visitors throughout 2025 according to official data released by the regional culture and tourism department. This represents a substantial 10.71 percent increase compared to the previous year’s figures, with international tourism showing particularly vigorous growth at 36.5 percent, totaling 437,400 inbound travelers.
The region’s tourism sector has flourished through strategic development of diverse cultural offerings. The cultural industry achieved an output value of 15.01 billion yuan (approximately $2.15 billion), marking an impressive 35.29 percent year-on-year growth. Total tourism revenue reached 81.68 billion yuan, reflecting a healthy 9.51 percent increase.
This sustainable growth trajectory stems from comprehensive preservation and innovative utilization of Xizang’s rich cultural heritage. The fourth national cultural relics census identified 3,346 newly documented heritage sites across the region, positioning Xizang among China’s top regions for archaeological discoveries.
Since initiating a systematic tourism resource survey in 2023, authorities have cataloged more than 31,000 previously unregistered tourist attractions and experiences. Traditional cultural practices including the Guozhuang Tibetan dance and ancient bull-hide boat competitions have gained popularity as immersive cultural experiences for visitors.
Regional authorities are implementing advanced digital preservation strategies to safeguard ancient architecture, cultural relics, and intangible cultural heritage. Digital platforms featuring iconic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Potala Palace have attracted over 2.5 million virtual visits, demonstrating successful integration of technology with cultural conservation efforts.