The Tibet Autonomous Region has promulgated and implemented a series of regulations on protecting cultural relics since its founding. The government has invested more than 300 million yuan renovating over 1,400 monasteries open to the public and repairing and preserving a large number of cultural relics. Particularly during 1989-94, the Central Government appropriated 55 million yuan and large amounts of gold, silver and other precious materials for the first phase of the Potala Palace renovation project. Beginning from 2001, the state earmarked 330 million yuan for the second phase of the Potala Palace renovation project and the maintenance of Norbu Lingka and the Sagya Monastery.
In May 1990, the Regulations of the Tibet Autonomous Region on the Protection of Cultural Relics were promulgated. In October 1997, the regional government issued the Measures for Protection and Management of the Potala Palace. These local regulations have contributed to better protection of cultural relics in the region.
Tibet boasts 18 cultural relics units subject to national protection. In 2000, the Potala Palace was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. In 2001, the Jokhang Monastery and the Norbu Lingka were listed as extensions of the Potala Palace. The Rampoche Monastery, built under the aegis of Princess Wencheng, has been made a candidate among the fifth group of nationally key cultural relics units subject to special protection.
China's 18 conservation units of important cultural relics in Tibet
No. |
Title |
Age |
Location |
Remark |
1 |
Jokhang Monastery |
Tang Dynasty (618—907) |
Lhasa |
Well preserved |
2 |
Potala Palace |
From Tang (618—907) to Qing (1616—1911) |
Lhasa |
Well preserved |
3 |
Gandain Monastery |
Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) |
Dagze County |
Ruined in 1960s, but now restored. |
4 |
Sagya Monastery |
Song Dynasty (960—1279) to Yuan Dynasty (1206—1368) |
Sagya County |
The northern part was ruined but southern part is intact. |
5 |
Tashilhungpo Monastery |
Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) |
Xigaze |
Well preserved |
6 |
Qamzhub Monastery |
Tang Dynasty (618—907年) |
Nedong County |
Ruined in 1960s, but now restored. |
7 |
Zongshan Resisting British Invasion Ruins |
1904 |
Gyangze County |
Fort barbette only remains |
8 |
Tomb of Tibetan Kings |
Tang Dynasty (618—907) |
Qoingyi County |
7~9th century Tubo tsang (king) tombs |
9 |
Ruins of Guge Kingdom |
The 11th Century |
Zada County |
Seriously eroded, but now restored. |
10 |
Zhaibung Monastery |
Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) |
Lhasa |
Well preserved |
11 |
Sera Monastery |
Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) |
Lhasa |
Well preserved |
12 |
Norbu Lingka |
Qing Dynasty (1616—1911) |
Lhasa |
Well preserved |
13 |
Shalhu Monastery |
From Yuan (1206—1368) to Qing (1616—1911) |
Xigaze County |
Seriously damaged, but restored in 1987. |
14 |
Samye Monastery |
Tang Dynasty (618—907) |
Zhanang County |
Well preserved |
15 |
Palkor Monastery |
Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) |
Gyangze County |
Well preserved |
16 |
Zhatang Monastery |
Song Dynasty (960—1279) |
Zhanang County |
Intact Buddhist halls and wall paintings |
17 |
Toding Monastery |
Song Dynasty (960—1279) |
Zada County |
Well preserved |
18 |
Karub Culture Ruins |
New Stone Ages |
Qamdo County |
Unearthing carried out twice for conservation |
Culture and Art, Cultural Relics and Publishing Organs, and Workers
Organization |
Number of Organizations |
Number of Workers |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
Cultural Undertakings |
197 |
210 |
1993 |
1873 |
Art Troupes |
58 |
64 |
1449 |
1289 |
Art Performance Troupes |
10 |
10 |
868 |
866 |
Ulan Muqi and Art Performance Teams |
17 |
17 |
272 |
282 |
Venues for Performances |
33 |
37 |
268 |
141 |
Libraries |
1 |
1 |
41 |
41 |
Mass Cultural Undertakings |
136 |
143 |
450 |
356 |
Mass Art Palaces |
7 |
8 |
176 |
176 |
Cultural Palaces |
54 |
48 |
99 |
88 |
Cultural Stations |
75 |
87 |
75 |
92 |
Other Cultural Undertakings |
2 |
2 |
53 |
187 |
Cultural Relics Undertakings |
17 |
17 |
270 |
270 |
Publishing Business |
72 |
72 |
249 |
253 |
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