China Gives Facelift to Tibet's Jokhang LamaseryChina 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 (1.3 million U.S. dollars) 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. |
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