A corner of Nanshan Park in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. Before greening efforts began in 2012, this area was barren land. It is now a national 4A-level tourist attraction. [Photo by Zhu Lixin/chinadaily.com.cn]

Lhasa's Nanshan Park is seeking a soil and water conservation demonstration park designation after afforestation efforts that transformed a once-barren mountainside into one of the city's most popular public green spaces.

Nanshan Park sits across the Lhasa River from the Potala Palace. Afforestation in the area began in 2012 and accelerated after the Xizang autonomous region launched a large-scale greening campaign in 2021.

"We are working to develop the park into the only soil and water conservation demonstration park in the autonomous region," said Shilog Tsedan, head of Xizang Nanshan Park Management Service, which has managed the site since 2023.