After nightmare, Lhasa limps back to normalcy

LHASA: The 65-km bus drive from Gongga airport to downtown Lhasa is very pleasant - the Lhasa River flows quietly along the highway, with wild ducks swimming around leisurely.

However, as I set foot on the roof of the world, I found it hard to link the apparent tranquility with riots that left 19 people dead nearly two weeks ago.

I am a member of the first group of Chinese and foreign journalists allowed to visit the capital of the autonomous region after the March 14 violence, during which rioters killed and attacked people, and looted and destroyed property.