Tibetan Buddhist areas restored in Forbidden City

Tibetan Buddhist palaces in Beijing which were damaged by a fire in the 1920s have been restored to their former glory.

The palaces and buildings in the north-west corner of the Forbidden City were reconstructed to replicate the appearance in the Qianlong Period (1736-1795), following the tradition of procedures, techniques and materials.

Until they were destroyed in the summer inferno of 1923, the palaces and buildings hosted Tibetan Buddhist activities during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The fire also wiped out the Jianfu Palace Garden to the north of the Forbidden City.

The reconstruction of the Garden was completed by the Hong Kong-based China Heritage Fund (CHF) seven years ago, at which time plans were launched to restore the Tibetan Buddhist buildings.

A Palace Museum statement confirmed a research centre on Tibetan Buddhism and exhibition rooms for related cultural relics will feature in the restored area.

The Forbidden City was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage list in 1987 and has housed 24 emperors since 1420.