Picnic camp sites boost incomes in Dagtse, Lhasa

Operating picnic camp sites has become one of the main income sources and a way of rural revitalization for villagers in Dagtse district of Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region in recent years.

Enriched with the plateau landscape and unique Tibetan traditional cultures, mountains, parks, lawns, and streams, Dagtse is an ideal place for picnics for both local residents and tourists.

Tibetans call having picnics as having lingka. At the Ying Lingka Site in Dagtse, people in groups gather in tents, play games, sing songs, dance, and play Tibetan dice.

The Ying Lingka Site of Dagtse is 20 kilometers from Lhasa and was operated by the Dagtse County Tourism Development Investment Company Ltd about three months ago. It offers camping sites, related services, and ethnic performances.

Tenzin Sonam, from the company, said the site provides jobs for 26 local residents, including four college graduates, and their salaries range from 4,000 yuan ($560) to 8,000 yuan.

Tsering Nadme is one of the local residents working here. She adds that she earns a stable salary, and her work includes cleaning the tents, washing dishes, and serving guests.

"I like to work here, the work is not that hard, and the company also provides us with food and accommodation," she said.