Tibetan monastery being renovated at a cost of USD 12.72 mln

Renovation of a Buddhist monastery in Tibet dating back to 12'th century is set to be completed at a cost of USD 12.72 million.
The renovation work on the Sanyai monastery, featuring Tibetan, Chinese and Indian architecture has crossed halfway mark and is expected to take two more years to finish.
The monastery, about 200 km southeast of Tibet's capital Lhasa, will cost 76.97 million yuan (USD 12.72 million). The project involves reinforcement of its 12 buildings, improvement of fire and flood control systems and maintenance of sewage facilities, the temple's administrative committee said.
However, the renowned monastery remains open to pilgrims and tourists during the renovation, Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Built in the late 770s in Zhanang County of Shannan Prefecture, the monastery features a blend of traditional Tibetan, Chinese and Indian architecture.
The first floor of its main hall is Tibetan in style. Its second floor is a traditional Chinese quadrangle with houses on four sides and an Indian pagoda-like top.

China launched a 570-million-yuan (94.21 million US dollars) project in 2008 to preserve 22 historical and cultural heritage sites in Tibet, including the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the Jokhang, Ramogia and Samgya-Goutog monasteries.
Work on the Sanyai monastery began in September 2010 as one of Tibet's biggest heritage renovation projects under the 11th Five Year Plan.

The move came after a 330 million yuan preservation project on other heritage buildings in Lhasa like the Potala Palace, Sagya Monastery and Norbu Lingka Palace.