A view of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]
The Potala Palace, one of the world's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, is to implement a Monday closure policy starting Dec 1, according to an announcement released on its official website on Monday.
The palace in Lhasa, the capital of China's Xizang autonomous region, is regarded as the highest such structure in the world.
The Potala Palace Management Office has said that the Monday closures will allow for necessary maintenance work, cultural relics inspections, and updates to exhibitions, as well as the disinfection of the ancient site's environment and upkeep of public facilities, Xinhua News Agency reported.
A view of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]
Other changes are also being made to the palace's operating hours. Between May 1 and Oct 31 (summer season), the site will be open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with opening hours from 9 am to 3:40 pm. During the winter season, from Nov 1 to April 30, visiting hours will run from 9:30 am to 3:20 pm. Visitors are advised to plan their trips accordingly.
Built in the seventh century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and largely reconstructed in the 17th century, the Potala Palace remains Xizang's largest and best-preserved palace complex.
The palace was listed among the first batch of China's key cultural relics in 1961, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
A view of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in the Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]
The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in the Xizang autonomous region, is a hot spot for tourists. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]
The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in the Xizang autonomous region, is a hot spot for tourists. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]
