Tibet reopened to foreign tourists

China has reopened Tibet to foreign tourists, almost two months after imposing a ban ahead of politically sensitive anniversaries.

A group of 11 German travellers arrived in the capital Lhasa late on Saturday. The group was on a six-day tour, which would take them to a number of "key scenic spots" before leaving for Nepal.

China requires foreigners to obtain special permission to visit Tibet and routinely bars them from all Tibetan areas of the country during sensitive periods to keep news of unrest from leaking out.

The latest travel ban on foreigners came in February and March because of the Tibetan New Year and anniversaries of Tibetan uprisings against Chinese rule.

More than 500 foreign tourists were expected to visit Tibet this month.