The Tibet Autonomous Region has promulgated and implemented a series of regulations on protecting cultural relics since its founding. The government has invested more than 300 million yuan renovating over 1,400 monasteries open to the public and repairing and preserving a large number of cultural relics. Particularly during 1989-94, the Central Government appropriated 55 million yuan and large amounts of gold, silver and other precious materials for the first phase of the Potala Palace renovation project. Beginning from 2001, the state earmarked 330 million yuan for the second phase of the Potala Palace renovation project and the maintenance of Norbu Lingka and the Sagya Monastery.

In May 1990, the Regulations of the Tibet Autonomous Region on the Protection of Cultural Relics were promulgated. In October 1997, the regional government issued the Measures for Protection and Management of the Potala Palace. These local regulations have contributed to better protection of cultural relics in the region.

Tibet boasts 18 cultural relics units subject to national protection. In 2000, the Potala Palace was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. In 2001, the Jokhang Monastery and the Norbu Lingka were listed as extensions of the Potala Palace. The Rampoche Monastery, built under the aegis of Princess Wencheng, has been made a candidate among the fifth group of nationally key cultural relics units subject to special protection.

China's 18 conservation units of important cultural relics in Tibet

No.	Title	Age	Location	Remark
1	Jokhang Monastery	Tang Dynasty (618—907)	Lhasa	Well preserved
2	Potala Palace	From Tang (618—907) to Qing (1616—1911)	Lhasa	Well preserved
3	Gandain Monastery	Ming Dynasty (1368—1644)	Dagze County	Ruined in 1960s, but now restored.
4	Sagya Monastery	Song Dynasty (960—1279) to Yuan Dynasty (1206—1368)	Sagya County	The northern part was ruined but southern part is intact.
5	Tashilhungpo Monastery	Ming Dynasty (1368—1644)	Xigaze	Well preserved
6	Qamzhub Monastery	Tang Dynasty (618—907年)	Nedong County	Ruined in 1960s, but now restored.
7	Zongshan Resisting British Invasion Ruins	1904	Gyangze County	Fort barbette only remains
8	Tomb of Tibetan Kings	Tang Dynasty (618—907)	Qoingyi County	7~9th century Tubo tsang (king) tombs
9	Ruins of Guge Kingdom	The 11th Century	Zada County	Seriously eroded, but now restored.
10	Zhaibung Monastery	Ming Dynasty (1368—1644)	Lhasa	Well preserved
11	Sera Monastery	Ming Dynasty (1368—1644)	Lhasa	Well preserved
12	Norbu Lingka	Qing Dynasty (1616—1911)	Lhasa	Well preserved
13	Shalhu Monastery	From Yuan (1206—1368) to Qing (1616—1911)	Xigaze County	Seriously damaged, but restored in 1987.
14	Samye Monastery	Tang Dynasty (618—907)	Zhanang County	Well preserved
15	Palkor Monastery	Ming Dynasty (1368—1644)	Gyangze County	Well preserved
16	Zhatang Monastery	Song Dynasty (960—1279)	Zhanang County	Intact Buddhist halls and wall paintings
17	Toding Monastery	Song Dynasty (960—1279)	Zada County	Well preserved
18	Karub Culture Ruins	New Stone Ages	Qamdo County	Unearthing carried out twice for conservation

Culture and Art, Cultural Relics and Publishing Organs, and Workers

Organization	Number of Organizations		Number of Workers
	2002	2003	2002	2003
Cultural Undertakings	197	210	1993	1873
Art Troupes	58	64	1449	1289
Art Performance Troupes	10	10	868	866
Ulan Muqi and Art Performance Teams	17	17	272	282
Venues for Performances	33	37	268	141
Libraries	1	1	41	41
Mass Cultural Undertakings	136	143	450	356
Mass Art Palaces	7	8	176	176
Cultural Palaces	54	48	99	88
Cultural Stations	75	87	75	92
Other Cultural Undertakings	2	2	53	187
Cultural Relics Undertakings	17	17	270	270
Publishing Business	72	72	249	253