By the time the Potala Palace completes its second phase of renovation in 2006, the palace will remain as a hot spot. The golden roofs on top of the palace, however, will close.

Manager of the Potala Palace Qiangbasangge clarified that they made the decision not because the palace had some architectural problems, but they wanted to "keep the palace to the next generation in its good form."

There are all together seven gilded roofs built on top of the Potala Palace. These seven gilded roofs are regarded as architectural miracles and enjoy a high position in Tibetan Buddhist circle.

However, the roofs and the nearby areas are also ideal places for tourists to climb and stand on to get a bird's eye view of the Lhasa city. As too many tourists crowd in a little space, it is very easy to cause accidents. Workers at site are now adding some earth and materials to make the palace more solid.

Although the golden roofs will be closed, Qiangbasangge said most of the places in the palace would open. These places can still meet people's demands for sightseeing and for religious worship.  

(Chinanews.cn November 2, 2005)