Reparation on Norbu Linkag, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, has resumed after a break of over four months due to the cold winter weather.

Norbu Linkag is one of the three cultural relic sites listed for large-scale repairs that began in June 2002, with funds of 330 million yuan (about US$40.69 million) from the state coffers.

The other two sites are Potala Palace, the 1,300-year-old winter palace of the Dalai Lama, and Sakya Monastery, where numerous rare religious relics are kept. Work on these two buildings has not yet resumed.

Ma Yigang, chief of the administration for Norbu Linkag, said the main tasks to be completed this year would be mostly public facilities such as the drainage system, fire control and security works.

Situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbu Linkag was built in the middle of the 18th century and served as the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas. It was the place where they handled political affairs, practiced religious activities and spent their holidays. Both the Potala Palace and Norbu Linkag have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The repairs on the three cultural relic sites are expected to be finished this year.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)