The Sera Lamasery, one of the three leading lamaseries in Tibet, reopened to worshippers and tourists on Monday, a sign that major religious sites in Tibet Autonomous Region are returning to order over one month after the unrest in Lhasa. Other tourists attractions affected by the riot are scheduled to reopen soon. Our reporter Shuang Feng has more.

Reporter:

The Sera Lamasery was forced to close mid last month, following rioters pouring to major streets in Lhasa, leaving businessness looted, and residences, shops and vehicles torched. Now, as most suspects have surrendered to the police and the local government has granted permit to domestic travelers, the door reopens.

Gyaltsen Monlam is a monk at the lamasery.

"I am very happy, as our lamasery reopens today to welcome pilgrims and tourists."

One week after Buddhist services resumed, the lamasery received its first group of tourists. Zhang Jian is from the southern city of Guangzhou.

"I think this is a very good start. Tibet not only has breathtaking landscape, but also a long and bright history of civilization. I hope more temples and lamaseries will return to order soon."

Tenzin Namgyal is an official on the Tibet Autonomous Regional Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee.

"The Lamasery is as peaceful and quiet as usual. Normally, there are lots of people here. As the travel peak nears, we expect to see more tourists when other scenic spots reopen."

Built in 1419, the Sera Lamasery is one of the basic schools of Tibetan Buddhism, famous for monks' debates over Buddhist philosophy. "Sera" means "wild rose garden" in Tibetan.

Tibet's architectural icon, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, reopened to tourists on March 26.

Tibet received its first domestic tour group since the March 14 unrest last week, and a travel boom is expected for the upcoming Labor Day holiday.

Shuang Feng, CRI News.