China allows its Panchen Lama to visit home village in Tibet

The visit marked the first time Gyaincain Norbu has returned to his home county of Lhari since he was chosen by China in 1995 as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, after Beijing rejected the Dalai Lama's choice.

The boy has been under strict tutelage in Beijing since his ordination, but since he turned 16 in February China has allowed him greater exposure, apparently believing he has come of age.

Xinhua news agency said thousands of Buddhists and horsemen dotted roads to greet the boy, now 16, as he arrived in Lhari, Nagqu prefecture in northern Tibet, for the three-day visit that began Sunday.

During the visit, he presided over a blessing ritual for nearly 4,000 local people and urged young Tibetans to get a good education to build a more prosperous Tibet.

He also donated money and goods to a local school, a hospital and 43 poor families, Xinhua said.

The teenager stopped his car more than a dozen times on his journey to give blessings to followers who braved the rain and came long distances for a chance to see the 11th Panchen Lama, Xinhua said.