Huang Zhenghong, head of Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture and also an NPC deputy, said on March 10 that the authorities have approved a plan to rebuild the ancient Tibetan town of Dukezong in Southwest China's Yunnan province, after a fire in January destroyed hundreds of the town's wooden Tibetan-style homes.

The plan involves investing 1.2 billion yuan ($195 million) to restore the area's homes.

Dukezong was built 1,300 years ago and it is known as the location of China's best preserved Tibetan-style residences.

This photo taken on March 10 shows a white stupa – a Buddhist shrine - surrounded by Tibetan-style residences in the ancient Tibetan town of Dukezong in the Diqing Tibetan autonomous prefecture, in Southwest China's Yunnan province. [Photo/icpress.cn]

Life in Tibet	Tibetan pilgrims kowtow along a road	Life of young monks in Tibet