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Potala Palace plaza takes on new look
By Sun Xiaohua (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-22 06:01
The Potala Palace plaza has taken on a fresh face to welcome tourists from the world and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
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| A Tibetan child wearing a mask performs a traditional dance on Saturday at the Potala Palace plaza, where a ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of its renovation. [newsphoto] |
Completion of the Potala Palace plaza renovation project was celebrated in Lhasa on Saturday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The project, started in late March, has cost 150 million yuan (US$18.5 million), including paving bricks, landscaping, a musical fountain, and new broadcasting and power facilities.
Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region government, said the renovation of the square was part of the central government's efforts to protect the Potala Palace, a world heritage site, reported Xinhua.
The repaired plaza is a combination of modernity and Tibetan cultural features. Post-renovation, the plaza is a multi-functional square that can be used for the purposes of rest-taking, recreation, cultural activities and get-togethers, said the leading regional official.
The project was completed late last month. The new square, covering 18 hectares, will be the main venue for the upcoming celebration of the 40th founding anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to Xinhua.
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