China is giving a facelift to Tibet's prestigious Jokhang lamasery, hoping that it will be accepted by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
The central government and Tibet Autonomous Region government have poured 11 million yuan (US$ 1.3 million) into dismantling 530 buildings and paving new roads around the historical site.
Illegal advertisement billboards and peddlers' stalls have also been removed.
Moreover, the government has built 24 state-of-the-art public toilets for tourists and renovated 27 ancient-style houses near the lamasery.
Located near the Potala Palace, Jokhang lamasery was established 1,000 years ago and is a major arena for holding Buddhist religious activities.
In 1961, the Chinese government named it a historical site receiving state-level protection.
Sources said that UNESCO experts expressed their appreciation in the renovation of the lamasery by the Lhasa Government.
(People’s Daily 10/22/2000)
