100 Questions and Answers About Tibet

　What are the differences between the terms "Tibet," "Tibetan areas" and "Tibet and other Tibetan areas" that often appear in certain publications? Did there once exist in history a great unified Tibetan area?

　Are there any historical facts providing supporting evidence that Tibet has long been an inseparable part of China?

　What kind of social system was in force under the Dalai Lama in old Tibet? Was the old Tibet really the last "Shangri-La"?

　13. Why was the Democratic Reform implemented in 1959? How did it benefit the Tibetan people?

　What changes have occurred in Tibet's economic development since the Democratic Reform?

　What favorable policies have been implemented in Tibet by the Central Government?

　What demographic changes have taken place in Tibet over the past decade?

　The Dalai Lama states that the Chinese government has instigated mass emigration to Tibet in a bid to make the Tibetan people living in Tibet an ethnic minority. Is this true?

　Are all Tibetans Buddhists?

　What are the main characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism?

　The Dalai Lama was awarded the "Nobel Peace Prize" abroad, and some people call him "guardian of human rights" and "advocator of non-violence." How would you comment on this?

　What is the central government's view on the Dalai's "nonviolence"?

31. Q: Would you please give some background information on the Potala Palace, the first world heritage site in Tibet designated by UNESCO?

A: The Potala was built during the reign of Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo at the time of the Tang Dynasty (61-907), and was rebuilt in the early Qing Dynasty(1644-1911) by the fifth Dalai Lama Ngawang Lozang Gyatso. Reconstruction was completed in the late Qing Dynasty during the reignof the 13th Dalai Lama Tupden Gyatso. Reconstruction was completed in the late Qing Dynasty during the reign of the 13th Dalai Lama Tupden Gyatso. It is a rare and treasured facet of Tibetan cultural heritage, as well as a gem in the repository of Chinese civilization, and is known as the "shining pearl of the snowland." The Potala Palace, a landmark synonymous with Lhasa, reflects the highest artistic achievements of the Tibetan ethnic group in terms of architecture, painting, sculpture and casting. It also epitomizes the cultural exchanges of the Han and Tibetan people, combining the architectural techniques of both ethnic groups.
The Potala Palace covers a total area of 360,000 square meters, with a floor space of 130,000 square meters, and a total of 2,000 rooms. It has 34 large Buddha halls, which house numerous priceless cultural relics. Construction of the stupa that holds the remains of the fifth Dalai Lama entailed 110,000 taels of gold and multifarious precious stones. The palace's ten warehouses contain a wealth of rare cultural relics.
The Chinese government is particularly concerned about effective protection and management of the Potala Palace, and in the 1990s invested 50 million yuan in large-scale renovation that lasted five years. On February 17, 1994, the Potala Palace was officially designated as a World heritage site. In 1997, with the approval of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region, the "Measures for Protection and Management of the Potala Palace" was issued, based upon which various regulations and responsibility systems have since been perfected.

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