China will reopen the restive mountainous region of Tibet to foreign tourists "soon" and temples will also resume religious activities, state media said on Saturday, in the wake of pro-independence protests last month.

"The Tibet tourism bureau is doing its utmost to prepare for the reopening of all tourist spots," the official China Daily cited a government statement as saying, though it did not provide an exact date.

Chinese media had reported that the region would reopen to foreign tourists from May 1, though officials have not confirmed this and a US-based rights group says Beijing does not plan to allow foreigners in until after this August's Olympics.

Tourism is a vital source of cash for the impoverished region, where 4 million tourists last year flocked to see historic temples, experience Tibetan culture and enjoy breathtaking natural scenery.

All foreigners visiting Tibet need special permits. The Xinhua news agency added that Lhasa temples affected by the unrest would also restart their religious activities soon.

It paraphrased Tibetan official Tubdain Cewang as saying "Lhasa's temples were recovering from the riot, with religious activities returning to order, and would reopen to tourists in the near future".

The Drepung Monastery "will soon hold activities including Buddhist services and debates on Buddhist doctrines five times every month, as before the March 14 riot hit the city", it quoted the temple's administrative director Ngawang Dongjue, as saying.

That report did not provide a date either. Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, of masterminding the unrest as part of a bid for independence and with an eye to spoiling the Beijing Games. The Dalai Lama rejects the accusations and says he does not seek independence for Tibet. - Reuters