Years of extensive study on the iconic Potala Palace have yielded fruitful results, paving the way for the future preservation of this treasure trove of Tibetan history, culture and art in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
A ceremony was held at the palace in Lhasa, the regional capital, on Sunday to release the achievements of the study, which was undertaken by the Management Office of the Potala Palace under the guidance of the Xizang Autonomous Region Bureau of Cultural Heritage.
The results, contained in a series of books, cover the history of the palace which dates back over 1,300 years, the distinctive styles of its frescoes, the protection of its rich collection, and the detailed information about its tourist attractions.
Perched atop Mount Marpori (meaning "red hill" in Tibetan) in central Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the world's highest ancient palace, at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level at the topmost point.
The palace was first built by then Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century and expanded in the 17th century.
As an outstanding representative of Tibetan architecture, the complex was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.
The Potala Palace holds a collection of invaluable scriptures, historical documents and precious relics, including statues, paintings and frescoes. It is considered a must-see place in Xizang by tourists from around the world.
Study results on Potala Palace released in Lhasa
