Work has been proceeding smoothly on the first-phase project to renovate the Tashilumpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas in southwestern Tibet's Xiagze Prefecture.
Restoration of some sub-projects is expected to be completed by the end of June, said Wangjiu on Thursday, a member of the Democratic Management Committee of the monastery and a leading official with a construction company engaged in the renovation.
Photo taken on May 14 shows workers repair a roof at the Tashilumpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas in southwestern Tibet's Xiagze Prefecture, photo from Xinhua.
Located in the northwest of Xigaze, the Tashilumpo Monastery was built in 1447 and covers an area of 237, 000 sq m. The full name of the Monastery means "all fortune and happiness gathered here" in the Tibetan language.
The monastery, which became the traditional seat of Panchen Lamas in 1713, was designated in March 1961 as a cultural relic site under national protection by China's State Council.
The government allocated 39 million yuan for the first-phase renovation of the Tashilumpo Monastery. The major sites under repair include the tallest building of the monastery Jambu Chyenmu, Gudong-- the temple containing the Fourth Panchen Lama's tomb, the Main Chanting Hall, the Gangyur Hall, and the 2,600-m-long enclosing wall as well as the main gate.
Photo taken on May 14 shows the Tashilumpo Monastery, the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas in southwestern Tibet's Xiagze Prefecture, photo from Xinhua.
The renovation of the monastery, with a total investment of 118 million yuan, began on April 18 last year. The project involves the largest spending among the 22 sites under renovation in Tibet funded by China's Central Government during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010).
About 80 percent of the renovation of the Gangyur Hall has been completed, according to Wangjiu.
"We employed more than 200 craftsmen and workers for the whole project. Restoration of the Gangyur Hall and the Main Chanting Hall is set to be finished by the end of June. "
