ROME, May 20 -- Italians in Rome now have a unique opportunity to discover China's enchanting Tibet without making the long trip there -- instead, they can tour the central music park here.

A series of exhibitions, artistic performances, traditional dances and seminars are being held at the music park to mark Tibetan Culture Week, which is part of the ongoing Chinese Culture Year in Italy.

The event, "Tibet, the Marvel Upon the World's Roof," is the first of its kind here and marks the 60th anniversary of Tibet's peaceful emancipation.

It showcases the very best of the Tibetan world with over a hundred startling photographs depicting Tibet's snowy plateaus, clear blue skies, farmers at work and joyful social life in the villages.

During the week, local people enjoyed typical festivities and traditions like the sacred Saga Dawa holiday marking the birth and Nirvana of Buddha, the colorful folk costumes of the Tibetan people, the beautiful Thangka painting on silk, and Tibet's many other art forms.

Yet there's much more for the Italian public to enjoy: the magical natural surroundings, the mystical atmosphere and the recent transformation of recent years.

Visitors leaving the exhibition were impressed.

"This is fascinating. I've always dreamed of going there, but somehow I always thought of Tibet as another world, too far for me to reach. I was scared of the cultural differences because I knew nothing of this land, but now my knowledge has widened, giving me the courage to finally book a holiday," Roberta Dini, 34, told Xinhua.

Her 12-year-old son, Marco, kept pointing at a picture of green rolling hills. "Mom, take me here this summer, please," he said, pulling Roberta's hand.

The aim of the exhibition is to bring Tibet closer to the Italian public. Admission is free.

"I had a tinge of paradise, seeing those colorful paintings, photos, and learning about the people's religion gave me a vivid idea of what Tibet is. So my appetite has been stimulated, and I'm looking foward to go there," Remo Tarquini, a 60-year-old retiree, said.

"Now I understand what it means when Tibet is called 'a place of the heart,'" he added. Enditem