Restoration and revitalization

Years of neglect, along with historical damage, posed serious threats to the preservation of the palaces.

Recognizing their historical value, authorities designated the site as a regional cultural relic protection unit in 1996, and later elevated it to national key cultural relic protection status in 2001.

In 2006, the Lhagyari Palaces Preservation and Restoration Project was included in Xizang's 11th Five-Year Plan for Cultural Relics Protection (2006-10), with significant funding from the central government.

More than 20.5 million yuan ($3 million) was allocated to support conservation efforts.

Restoration work carried out between 2010 and 2012 focused on stabilizing the structures, restoring the pebble-paved square, clearing debris, reinforcing underground passageways, and securing surrounding slopes.

These efforts helped return the complex to its present condition.

The palaces have long symbolized Tibetan culture, political resilience and religious devotion.

Like the Potala Palace, the complex is divided into White and Red sections, representing political authority and religious significance, respectively, unified within a single architectural composition.

Lha Namgyal Gyatso, one of the later rulers of the lineage, brought influences from Beijing back to Chusum in the early 20th century, incorporating Han architectural styles into the Summer Palace.

Sonam Yontan says that palace complexes equipped with a central square are rare in Xizang, making Ganden Lhatse a notable exception. Its design clearly reflects influences from traditional Han palace architecture.

"It shows that even in remote parts of Xizang, there were connections and cultural exchanges with the central dynasties several hundred years ago," he says.