Tech-savvy monks embrace new age

Becoming a member of a Tibetan Buddhist order doesn't mean becoming totally divorced from the outside world, and today's devotees are using cellphones and tablets to stay in touch, report Chen Bei in Qamdo and Luo Wangshu in Xigaze in the Tibet autonomous region.

Editor's note: China is marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet autonomous region. In the coming weeks, China Daily will bring you in-depth reports about developments in the region in the past half-century, focusing on culture and religion, environmental protection and eco-tourism.

If you spend 30 minutes checking Tenzin Yontan's social networking posts, you'll quickly get a good idea of his three main interests: Tibetan Buddhism; his family; and social engagement.