Authorities have lifted restrictions on the number of tourists entering the area. Such restrictions were just one of a range of local government measures to protect and maintain the site.

Qu Zhen has been working as a tourist guide in Potala Palace for over a decade. She said repair work at the palace has never stopped.

Qu said, "We have the grounds repaired each year. And our repairmen paint and repair the walls every year."

Part of the second-phrase of maintenance work is to repair the sacred golden roofs.

Symbolizing honor in Buddhism, the golden roofs attract many tourists every day. The influx of visitors inevitably resulted in damage to the holy area.

After two years, repair work for the golden roofs is complete.