ABSTRACT
According to state official authorities, this is an economically successful Tibetan area in contrast to other Tibetan regions where there has been unrest, although several locations in Xianggelila are a facade of buildings 'under construction'. In the case of the People's Republic of China (PRC) the term was re-presented as a Tibetan term to detract from its foreign origins and to appear as a more indigenous concept. Although Tibetan medicine was standardized, the doctor also emphasized that these medicines were unique, traditional, and 'natural'. Stevan Harrell states in his study on ethnic frontiers, China's policy toward its ethnic peoples can be described as a domestic 'civilizing project', with the state viewing its ethnic minorities 'in need of civilization' and 'education', their ancient ways requiring 'advancement'. The main objectives of this campaign were expanding China's colonial prospects and solidifying its national identity to frontier areas under the guise of modernization and raising living standards through infrastructure building, environmental programs, and tourism.
