As one of the top three best-known carpets in the world, Tibetan carpet-making has a long history that spans more than 600 years. They are famous for fabric texture, traditional designs and vivid colors. Nowadays, the Tibetan carpet industry is growing rapidly, leading many locals to earn a good living. Our reporter in Lhasa has more.

Groups of workers are busy weaving carpets in a workshop of Pangyen Medo Industry and Trading Company in Lhasa. Among them is a Tibetan girl named Lazhen. She lost her legs in an accident. Lazhen used to only do some housework at home and knew nothing about carpet weaving. She said working here as a weaver helps her gain a skill and a stable income.

"I started to work here two years ago. At that time, I knew nothing about Tibetan carpet. Now besides free food and housing, I earn nearly 1,000 yuan every month."

Now Pangyen Medo has more than 200 weavers like Lazhen, most of whom were jobless or local herdsmen.

Some of them have physical disabilities. The company's general manager, Wei Yaping, explains.

"When recruiting weavers, we will give priority to the disadvantaged group. We will manage to give them opportunities. Lazhen lost her legs in an accident. But as long as she can use hands, we would help her."

In order to help more locals learn weaving skills, the enterprise and local government joint-launched a free training program.

Students involved in the training program will be able to master one or two Tibetan carpet weaving skills and get paid a monthly allowance during that time.

27 –year-old Tsering Luobu is a weaver from Shigaste, a city about 300 kilometers away from Lhasa. He had no other option but to herd sheep after finishing high school. He joined Panyen Medo Company in 2004 and now works as a painter, with monthly salary of 1,200 yuan or 175 US dollars, almost double his herding income. He still can't believe that he got paid during the training period.

"During the training period, the company provides good treatments, including free food and housing. They even paid me 300 yuan per month. My mum is very happy about that."

Now there are about fifty such Tibetan carpet factories in Tibet. The Tibetan carpet industry can partake in part of the surplus labor in depressed areas and help rural people to increase their incomes. Over 10,000 weavers benefits from the booming industry.

With increasing orders coming from overseas, the Pangyen Medo Company is planning to enlarge its scale and involve more local Tibetans move towards a better life. Here is Wei Yaping.

"We will help set up weaving spots in local counties. We will pick appropriate partners and begin to place orders. Once we have collected the semi finished products, we will finish processing steps. In this way, more Tibetans will be involved."

With such good treatments, Tsering says they are determined to work very hard and grow together with the company.

"I will continue to work here. Working as a painter has a promising future. And here Tibetan carpets are exported abroad. The company also has a very bright future."

To watch a video about carpet-making in Tibet, click here.