New city to be established in China's Tibet

Peach trees have blossomed to welcome the spring season and tourists from all over the world in Nyingchi, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, March 30, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

LHASA - China's State Council, or the cabinet, approved the application of Nyingchi, Tibet autonomous region, to become the fourth prefecture-level city in the region, local authorities announced on Friday.

As part of the status upgrade, the city committee of the Communist Party of China, people's congress standing committee, government and political advisory body will be established.

Located in southeastern Tibet with an average altitude of 3,100 meters, Nyingchi is now the fourth prefecture-level city in Tibet after the regional capital Lhasa, Qamdo and Xigaze.

No new government buildings will be built and no extra personnel will be added on the government payroll after the inauguration of the new city, according to the State Council.

Nyingchi is a top tourist destination in Tibet with the Yarlung Zangbo River passing through. It has the lowest altitude in Tibet and has a warm and temperate climate.

Nyingchi received 2.8 million tourists in 2014 and created a tourism revenues of 2.8 billion yuan ($455 million).