In March 2009, China announced plans to make Lhasa, Tibet, into “a coordinated and distinctive modern metropolis by 2020,” with a target of 10 million visitors per year.

The plan includes the building of many parks, green spaces along the roadsides and renovation and expansion of seven urban roads. All buildings facing Beijing Road, the major road through the city, are to be renovated to “feature local ethnic characteristics.”

The State Council plans to cap the downtown...

Available for iPhone (OS 2.0 or later) or iPod touch (with version 3.0 or before), the application “1,000 Words” shows simple pictures on the phone screen to help people communicate overseas.

Topics are organized into 12 categories, like money, activities, help (SOS), dining, hotels, etc. Simply tap the category, scroll through the pictures and enlarge the one needed to show to another person.

The app can be downloaded for 99¢ from the App Store and does not need Internet...

National Geographic (888/225-5647, www.completenatgeo.com) is releasing all of its issues from October 1888 through December 2008 on either a 6-disc DVD set ($69.95) or a USB hard drive ($199.95). 

The set features an interactive browser that allows users to find articles by issue date or map location (map location browsing requires Internet access). Included are lists of articles on specific topics, a DVD feature on the magazine’s history, and a trivia quiz.