Followers of Tibetan Buddhism worship outside Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. [Photo By Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily]

The autonomous region is home to about 3.1 million people and 92 percent are of ethnic minorities.

Buddhist images and Tibetan scriptures, including om mani padme hum, the mantra of the bodhisattva of compassion, can be seen and heard everywhere, carved in stones, murmured by pilgrims and written on prayer flags and wheels.

Lhasa resident Drolma Yangkyi walks around Jokhang Temple once a day and the Potala Palace once a week, but she doesn't feel like her devotional circles are enough.