Actors prepare to go upon stage at the Snowland Gyaebo Langma Hall in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, early May 6, 2011. The word "Langma" in Tibetan language means courtly performance, which in the past was only an entertainment for Tibetan traditional aristocracy. However, the present langma hall eventually evolved into a place of part bar, part folk concert hall and part ballroom, where common Tibetan people go for relaxation and gathering. Over the past 60 years, Tibet has witnessed rapid development in its modernization course. More and more modern elements merged into local people's daily lives, and gradually turned into a new page of the Tibetan charm. Across the plateau region, icons of traditional Tibetan culture are seen side by side with Coca Cola and Budweiser billboards, designer clothing outlets and pop music albums by Chinese and international stars. At the countryside of Tibet, farmers and herders enjoy their new life in commodious houses. Since 2006 the government of Tibet Autonomous Region has relocated farmers and herders who lived in remote and barren areas to places with better natural environments and transport facilities. Over the past five years, about 275,000 households in Tibet received assistance from the government to build new houses. In the urban areas, Tibetan people are passionate about the modern life while maintaining their traditions. Increasing demand for commercial performances and entertainments led to a boom in private art troupes in the past decades, such as the hilarious langma halls, making life on the plateau more and more colorful. Tibet now has more than 500 private troupes, which fostered a large number of professional actors to inherit the old arts. Traditional Tibetan arts have been well preserved and further developed while more and more young people showed interests in modern art. Fashionable digital products, like Apple Inc.'s iPhone, soon became a craze for young Tibetans just like elsewhere in the world. With better living conditions, higher incomes, and closer connection to the world, the lifestyle of Tibetan people has undergone great progress within a short span of time, towards modernity and diversity. [Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng]