China launches largest ever Tibet cultural relic preservation

Source: Xinhua | 04-19-2008 09:48

XIGAZE, Tibet, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday launched a 570 million yuan (81.43 million U.S. dollars) project to preserve 22 historical and cultural relics in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region.

The launching ceremony of a five-year Tibet Autonomous Region key cultural relics protection project and the Tashilumpo Monastery protection project is held at the Tashilumpo Monastery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on April 18, 2008. The region's overall protection project covers 22 key cultural relics at a planned cost of 570 million yuan (81 million U.S. dollars), nearly 200 million yuan (28 million dollars) more than the previous five-year protection project.  (Xinhua Photo)

The project, China's largest protection move in the region, will last until 2010. It included 15 monasteries under state-level protection and seven historical sites proving the rule over Tibet by central governments through history, said Yudawa, the Tibet Autonomous Regional Cultural Heritage Bureau director.

The preservation efforts were financed by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance.

Performers dance at the launching ceremony of a five-year Tibet Autonomous Region key cultural relics protection project and the Tashilumpo Monastery protection project held at the Tashilumpo Monastery in Xigaze of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on April 18, 2008.   (Xinhua Photo)

Of the funds, 118 million yuan will go to the preservation of the 237,000-square-meter Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in Xigaze. It consists of a main palace and six minor ones, 56 sutra halls, and more than 6,000 rooms for monks. It was built in 1447 and was the traditional residence of Panchen Lamas.

It is expected to take workers up to four years to seal cracks on the walls, fix windows and doors, repair water discharge channels, replace worn out electrical wires and install firefighting and lightning-proof facilities in the lamasery, the second largest cultural relic after the Potala Palace in Tibet.