On 31 June, Lhasa (the capital city of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region) completed renovation of its old city, which is a bustling cultural and commercial center. Covering an area of 1.33 square km, the old city of Lhasa centers around Barkhor Street and the Jokhang Temple.
The 1.5-billion-yuan (243 million U.S. dollars) project involved upgrading the sewage system, water supplies and electric lines, elimination of safety hazards, installment of heating facilities and preservation of old-styled buildings. The project has enhanced protection of Tibetan cultures, improved the old city's infrastructures, and lifted the living conditions there.