The Chinese government has earmarked more than US$40 million to fortify and preserve three major historical sites in Tibet. The money is being spent on the Potala Palace, the Norpu Lingka Palace and the Sakya Monastery.

The Potala Palace and the Norpu Lingka Palace are the traditional winter and the summer residences of the Dalai Lama, the Buddha incarnate in Tibet. The Sakya Monastery is renowned for its many sutra manuscripts.

But the passage of time and the changing environment have left the buildings aged and worn. The maintenance projects started in June last year and will take five years to complete. The local bureau of cultural heritage says this is the biggest ever project to protect and maintain ancient Tibetan architecture.

(CCTV.com December 18, 2003)