2nd phase renovation of Potala Palace to be finished in 2009

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The second-phase restoration of the world-famous Potala Palace has been proceeding smoothly and is set to be completed by the end of this year.

The renovation of the stone-wood structure, which was started in June, 2002, combines the traditional maintenance skills with the modern technology, according to the Office of Renovation of the Three Cultural Relics of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on April 14, 2008 shows technicians repair a sleeper wall newly discovered in the Potala Palace in in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.　(Xinhua Photo)

The second-phase project involves 55 sub-projects, with the focus on maintaining the ancient building, the murals, its environment, improving and upgrading public facilities like fire prevention, drainage system, and lightning protection.

China's Central Government earmarked 200 million yuan (29.3 million U.S. dollasrs) for the renovation, said Nyima Tsering, an official of the Office of Renovation of the Three Cultural Relics of Tibet Autonomous Region.

By now, the renovation of 51 sub-projects has been started, with the total financing amounting to 170 million yuan (24.9 million dollars), he added.

The key part of the renovation involves the sleeper walls, walls used to support floor joists of a ground floor. During the renovation, 491 such walls have been discovered, with 487 having been repaired to date.

According to the restoration plan, 1,722.68 sq m of the murals will be repaired. So far, murals at 16 sites of the palace have been finished, with the restored area hitting 1,743.73 sq m.