Lhasa to build tourism service zone around famous monastery

　　BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The government of Lhasa City plans to spend about 20 million yuan (about 2.93 million U.S. dollars) building a comprehensive tourism service zone around the Sera Monastery, according to the Lhasa City Tourism Bureau.

　　The preliminary design of the project has been finished. The undertaking of the project is expected to start next year.

　　Photo taken on April 16, 2009, shows a painter from Norway sketching in front of the Sera Monastery in northern Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Photo: chinatibetnews.com)

　　Upon completion, the multifunctional zone will offer tourists a variety of services including catering, shopping, accommodation, shopping and transport .

　　Built in 1419 and located in the northern suburbs of Lhasa City, the Sera Monastery is one of the three most famous monasteries in Lhasa together with the Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. It is dedicated to the Gelug or Yellow Hat Sect, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsong Khapa.

　　"Sera" means wild roses in the Tibetan language as the hill behind the monastery was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built.

　　Jiang Ga, director of Lhasa City Tourism Bureau, said illegal buildings surrounding the monastery will be demolished and the layout of various stalls around it will also be rearranged.

　　The construction of the zone will be in line with the standards of international tourist attractions, said Jiang. "By then, the scenery in the neighborhood will improve greatly. It will provide not only a better living environment to the residents, but also space for relaxation."