BEIJING, September 20 – The Tibetan capital Lhasa has launched a renovation drive to keep its original ethnic flavor after years of unrestrained urban development filled the city with modern architecture, China’s state media said Monday.
The preservation campaign will last until the end of November, by which time buildings in two key streets in the ancient part of town will present a “Tibetan style”, Xinhua news agency reported.
Lhasa’s gradual loss of it original identity is a result of the “unavoidable impact of modern civilization”, Xinhua said, describing how Coca Cola ads, dyed hair and imported cars had become part of the cityscape.
Even so, Lhasa should keep its traditional Tibetan style along its major streets near the world-famous Potala Palace, Xinhua said, citing Ou Guoxiang, the city’s deputy mayor.
Since Beijing occupied Tibet in 1951, it has been accused of trying to wipe out Tibet’s unique Buddhist-based culture through political and religious repression as well as mass ethnic Chinese immigration.
