The rhythmic tamping sounds accompanying the singing by workers stop worshippers and tourists flocking to Sera Monastery's Great Meeting Hall in northern Lhasa, even as sounds of carpentry arise from another place nearby.

As the peak tourist season arrives in the highlands of the Tibet autonomous region's capital, at least 300 people are hard at work at several locations in the monastery every day, says Nyima Tsering, deputy director of the temple administration.

He points out that utmost care is being taken to protect the Buddhist statues, scriptures and precious wall paintings as the roof and courtyard of the hall are being fixed.