Renovation work on the Champa Ling Monastery in Tibet has begun, as part of China's efforts to better protect cultural heritage in the autonomous region, an official said Thursday.

Champa Ling is the first and largest Gelukpa monastery in Chamdo prefecture of eastern Tibet.

The scheme includes renovation of ancient architecture, water supply, drainage and firefighting facilities, which will cost 93.78 million yuan (14.99 million U.S. dollars), said Yungdrung Dawa, head of the prefecture cultural heritage protection administration.

The original appearance of the monastery will be kept as part of the project, which is expected to be completed in July, he said.

Champa Ling Monastery was built in 1437.