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Dialogue between Tradition, Modern in Tibet

 

On the snowy Tibet plateau, traditional elements have been mingled with modern life -- youths dressed in the latest fashion dancing "Guozhuang," office-ladies playing conventional Tibetan music while driving to work and Tibetan girls wearing superb folk costume displaying their nice figures.

"I used to go shopping or bar-hopping with my friends after work. But now I don't think it is advisable to continue following that living style," said Pasang, a young Tibetan girl who practices Yoga everyday at a fitness club in the eastern suburbs of Lhasa city.

Today, the conception to live in a healthy way has become more popular in Tibet's general public.

A Tibetan young man plays billiards in a club in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. More and more Lhasaers take part in various kinds of outdoor and indoor activities in winter such as walking, jogging and kicking shuttlecock.

When the night falls, crowds of aged citizens dancing "Guozhuang," a traditional Tibetan group dance, to vigorous folk music can be seen in many residential communities. Among them, Pasang's mother Tseden Wangmo, 63, is undoubtedly one of the enthusiasts in such an outdoor team activity: "I like dancing Guozhuang very much, for it can make my body strong, bring me good mood and carry forward Tibetan ethnic culture as well."

Different from their elder generations, a swarm of teenagers playing skateboard or roller-skating shuttle among groups of strollers on the squares in front of the Potala Palace and Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's permanent residence.

The stylish dress, colored hairs, an earring on a single ear or an obscure tattoo -- all these signals have highlighted Tibet's younger generation's personality and their view on fashion.

Lhakpa Tashi, 16, will become a high-school student in the second half year. This adolescent is a typical fan at various kinds of modern novelties, such as surfing the net, online shopping and foreign Rap music.

An off-road competition is held in Quxu County, Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 1, 2007.
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