Work on the three sites began in 2002 and was expected to be finished this year. The cost of about 330 million yuan (about 47 million U.S. dollars) would be paid by the central government.

About 77 percent of the money has been spent and 129 minor projects under the program have passed quality examinations.

The Potala Palace, built in the 7th century, is on the world cultural heritage list. Norbu Lingka, which means "treasure park" in the Tibetan language, was the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. Sagya Monastery houses numerous classical books on Buddhism and precious paintings.

Over the past two decades, the central and local governments have spent more than 700 million yuan to preserve and maintain about 1,400 historical and cultural relics in Tibet, including monasteries.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2008)