The Labrang Monastery [Photo/China Tibet Online]

A large-scale renovation is being carried out steadily in the Labrang Monastery, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China’s Gansu Province, Gansu Daily reported.

The renovation, officially launched in Sept. 2012, is a major project in the 12th Five-Year Plan(2011-2015) of northwest China's Gansu Province. The whole project, with a total investment of 200 million yuan (32 million US dollars), covers three core aspects including the development of infrastructure and other supporting facilities as well as the renovation of cultural relics.

The overall plan for the renovation of 16 halls in the monastery was recently approved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, according to authorities.

Work has begun on the renovation of the Xiapudan Hall. An updated security system has been largely completed, and a fund of 10 million yuan (1.6 million US dollars) has been contributed to the restoration of murals, a project that is expected to be put into operation this year.

The monastery houses a great many precious cultural relics, which are in danger of being destroyed since most of the buildings there, in disrepair for a long time, are succumbing to severe wall cracks and ground subsidence.

The monastery was built in 1709. At its height, the monastery holds about 4,000 monks in its 90 halls, with 31 residential and academic buildings, and more than 500 scripture-reading rooms.

It was rated as one of the key cultural relics for state protection in 1982.