Tourism industry benefits locals living in this picturesque Tibetan region

More tourists are visiting Mount Namcha Barwa in Nyingchi, Tibet. — Pixabay

At 6am before the dawn broke, Lhapa Drolma, donning a beautiful Tibetan costume, started distilling highland barley liquor and making tsampa, a traditional food made of roasted barley flour.

As a festival tradition, the 38-year-old spared some tsampa, yak milk, beef and other food to feed dogs. “The dog drank the milk first, which is an auspicious sign indicating that we will have a good harvest of yak milk in the coming year,” she said with a smile, explaining the customs to the tourists curiously watching.