Along with China's Reform and Opening Up, the Parkhor Street in 1980's and 1990's saw a rise of commerce with increasing shops and abundant commodities. Tibetan artworks and craftworks gradually went popular in the market.

Thereafter, the opening of Qinghai-Tibet railway transportation in July 2006 boosted the tourism of Tibet to a new level. Tourists from all over the world flock here, rubbing shoulders with Tibetan pilgrims, which has become a typical scenery of Parkhor Street. In June 2009, Parkhor Street was selected as one of China's Renowned Historical Cultural Streets.

Tourists visit the Parkhor Street, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 6, 2011.(Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

Today, there are about 20,000 inhabitants of Tibetan, Han and Hui ethnic groups, 29 historical sites and 54 extant architectures of great historical, scientific and aesthetic value. A total of 1,500 shops and numerous stands are located in this block, as well as restaurants, bars, teahouses, hotels with Tibetan features. Everyday, thousands of tourists come to Parkhor Street for different purposes, such as worshipping, sightseeing, shopping, and picture-taking. The time-honored street will continue to inspire legend and impress tourists from various cultural backgrounds.

A shop owner sells craftworks to a customer at a shop on the Parkhor Street, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

People walk by Genbuxia Compound on the Parkhor Street, in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 31, 2011.(Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)