The iconic Potala Palace in Xizang, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Asia's most revered cultural landmarks, has begun its annual restoration process. Workers started repainting the palace's exterior walls on October 22, a centuries-old tradition to maintain the structure's signature golden and crimson hues that fade during summer monsoons.
This preservation effort, expected to continue through late November, involves natural materials like yak milk, honey, and mineral pigments mixed into the paint – techniques unchanged since the palace's 7th-century construction. Local residents and Buddhist monks traditionally participate in the process, blending spiritual practice with architectural maintenance.
The 1,300-year-old palace, once the winter residence of Dalai Lamas, attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually. Its maintenance offers insights into traditional Tibetan architecture and China's cultural preservation efforts. UNESCO describes the site as "an outstanding example of traditional Tibetan architecture" that continues to influence regional design.
