Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Potala Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site, began its annual whitewash painting project starting on Wednesday, and the work is scheduled to be completed in about one week, according to the palace's management office.

Located in the heart of Lhasa, capital of the Tibet autonomous region, the Potala Palace is a landmark of the city. It was built in the seventh century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, and underwent a large expansion project under the direction of the fifth Dalai Lama and his regent Desi Sangye Gyatso in the 17th century. It has been regularly renovated by the central government in the last few decades thanks to heavy investment.

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

At around 8 am on Thursday, hundreds of residents queued up in long lines to take part in the painting at the entrances of the palace carrying buckets and other painting ingredients. They consider their involvement in the painting to be an honor.

Every year after the rainy season, around the ninth month according to the Tibetan calendar, the palace carries out its annual facelift painting project, and many locals gather to be volunteers.

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Dawa, an enthusiastic participant, said the painters craft a paint-like mixture using ingredients such as locally collected white clay, pure milk, white sugar, and honey.

The painters meticulously spray the walls, ensuring an even distribution of paint. In hard-to-reach areas, they utilize a specialized technique of spraying the paint into the air to guarantee complete coverage.

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradition to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Today is the second day I have joined the activity this time, and I have been taking part in the annual paintings of the palace for more than 20 years," said the 57-year-old.

"I consider the palace to be a very valuable heritage, and I feel obligated and I am proud to be part of the painting team," he added.

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Local residents take part in the annual painting of the exterior walls of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region. The 1,300-year-old Potala Palace began undergoing its annual facelift on Wednesday. The annual whitewashing is a tradtion to protect the building. [Photo by Daqiong/chinadaily.com.cn]