Over the past week, thousands of Lhasa residents have come together to participate in the annual “makeover” of the Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Tibet’s most iconic landmarks. This tradition, which takes place after the region’s rainy season, sees the exterior walls of the palace meticulously painted to maintain its ancient beauty.
The project involves both the palace’s management staff and local volunteers who prepare a unique paint mixture using natural ingredients such as milk, honey, sugar, saffron, and various lime colors. This special formula is designed to create white, red, and yellow paints that are more adhesive and resistant to peeling, ensuring the walls of the centuries-old structure are better protected from the elements.
Typically carried out during the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar, this annual “beautification” ritual not only refreshes the appearance of the Potala Palace but also strengthens the community’s connection to the landmark, with many residents volunteering for the project as part of their cultural heritage preservation efforts.