Nature Resources and Pillar Industries Lhasa has discovered more than 30 minerals, such as iron, copper, lead, gold, coal, corundum, plaster stone, sulfur, and kaolin. The corundum and geothermal heat reserves rank first in the country, followed by the natural sulfur reserve (third), and the kaolin reserve (fifth). Lhasa is the growing ground for over 20 types of herbs, including Chinese caterpillar fungus, bulbs of fritillary, snow lotus, and rhubarb. As well, it specializes in animal husbandry and agricultural products. Some of Lhasa's pillar industries include mining, construction and building materials, tourism, ethnic handicrafts, and so on.

Xigaze City General Information Xigaze is the second largest city of the Tibet Autonomous Region, located in central-southern Tibet. Xigaze has been a colony of Tibet since the ancient times. It is an important political, economic and cultural centre and, at one point, the capital of Tibet. The existing architectures follow traditional Tibetan styles. The Tashihunbu Monastery, one of the three major lamaseries in Xigaze, is magnificent and grand. In the southeastern part of the city stands the Xialu Monastery, built during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Overall, Xigaze is still an underdeveloped city, but a popular tourist spot.