Tourism Brings Joy, Income to Herdsmen

A giant yak tent tourist service center in Tibet’s Damshung county can hold more than 100 guests. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Horse riding is not only a key aspect of traditional nomadic life, but also a major income source for herders in Tibet’s northern grassland county — thanks to the region’s efforts to turn itself into a world tourism destination.

“Damshung” literally means ”A chosen grassland” in the Tibetan language.

Known as the northern gate of Tibet, the county boasts genuine yak meat and nomadic dairy products.

Every year in August, the county holds the region’s grandest horse race festival, which is also an attraction for tourists.

Tibetan horse-riding businessman Dondrub Chosang with his beloved horse in Damshung county. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

All people on the grassland know how to ride horses, though riding is not as popular as before due to the increasing numbers of automobiles and motorbikes. It is, however, still practiced and preserved on the remote grassland.

The county’s horse race track is located in front of a giant yak tent in the suburb of the county town, where the tourists can ride a horse themselves.

Dondrub Chosang is one of 13 horse-riding businessmen near the giant tent, and also one of the members of the county’s equestrian team.

He has worked here for two years.

Raising and training horses is part of Dondrub Chosang’s lifestyle, a practice which provides him happiness and income. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Riding for 15 minutes costs 50 yuan ($7.5), and tourists come to experience horse riding every year from June to October.

As a skilled rider, Dondrub Chosang and his fellow herders can perform different tricks on horseback. He also teaches children of herders how to be a successful rider on the grassland.

Dondrub Chosang performs on horseback for an audience on July 4. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

“Horses are part of my life and I really love them. I spend a great amount of time raising and training horses. It gives me great joy,” Dondrub said.

Dondrub earns a monthly salary of 3,500 yuan from his horse business, contributing more than 70 percent of his family’s annual income.“

Thanks to the tourism industry, more and more people get to know our hometown,” the 26-year-old added. “An increasing number of tourists travel to our place every year to experience grassland culture, and tourism helps herders increase family income.”