The 311-year-old Labrang Monastery in Xiahe county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Northwest China's Gansu province is experiencing the largest-scale conservation and restoration project since its establishment in 1709. It is one of the top Tibetan Buddhist institutes around the world.

Launched in 2012, the project has until now received 180 million yuan in government help. So far, the reinforcement work of 14 out of 16 ancient buildings have been completed, so has the restoration of the frescos in seven great Buddha's halls, installation of security and protection equipment and circuits and lighting system in 25 ancient buildings, and most of the fire protection engineering work.

The biggest damage to the monastery is caused by heavy rains, Sonam Gyal, deputy director of Xiahe Culture and Tourism Bureau, said. The whole conservation and restoration work is expected to be completed in three years, he said.