This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-43101743

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Sacred Tibetan monastery in Lhasa hit by fire Sacred Tibetan monastery in Lhasa hit by fire
(about 5 hours later)
A fire has hit the most important shrine in Tibetan Buddhism - the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa.A fire has hit the most important shrine in Tibetan Buddhism - the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa.
Footage posted online showed flames billowing from the roof and what appeared to be at least one gutted pagoda. No casualties were reported.Footage posted online showed flames billowing from the roof and what appeared to be at least one gutted pagoda. No casualties were reported.
Chinese state media said the blaze started on Saturday evening and was soon put out.Chinese state media said the blaze started on Saturday evening and was soon put out.
The extent of damage to the sprawling compound is unclear. State media said there was no damage to cultural relics.The extent of damage to the sprawling compound is unclear. State media said there was no damage to cultural relics.
Tibet, the remote and mainly Buddhist territory known as the "roof of the world", is governed as an autonomous region of China.Tibet, the remote and mainly Buddhist territory known as the "roof of the world", is governed as an autonomous region of China.
The Jokhang monastery is more than 1,000 years old and is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.The Jokhang monastery is more than 1,000 years old and is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Streets near the monastery reopened to pilgrims on Sunday morning, state media said.Streets near the monastery reopened to pilgrims on Sunday morning, state media said.
Reports say that Chinese authorities quickly tried to block footage and images of the fire appearing on social media.Reports say that Chinese authorities quickly tried to block footage and images of the fire appearing on social media.
Beijing maintains tight control of news reports from Tibet, where Buddhist sites have been a focal point for separatist unrest in the past.Beijing maintains tight control of news reports from Tibet, where Buddhist sites have been a focal point for separatist unrest in the past.
Foreign journalists are not able to enter Tibet without special permission.Foreign journalists are not able to enter Tibet without special permission.
Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser told AFP she was "very worried" about the state of the monastery.Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser told AFP she was "very worried" about the state of the monastery.
"Tibetans consider Lhasa to be a sacred place, but Jokhang is a sacred place within that sacred place - the most sacred in all of Tibet," she said."Tibetans consider Lhasa to be a sacred place, but Jokhang is a sacred place within that sacred place - the most sacred in all of Tibet," she said.
"Some people say it's only because of Jokhang that the holy city of Lhasa exists at all.""Some people say it's only because of Jokhang that the holy city of Lhasa exists at all."
"No matter where they are in the world, Tibetans all wish to come to Lhasa to pray at Jokhang; it's the wish of a lifetime. Many who make pilgrimage to Lhasa prostrating do so just to visit the temple," she added."No matter where they are in the world, Tibetans all wish to come to Lhasa to pray at Jokhang; it's the wish of a lifetime. Many who make pilgrimage to Lhasa prostrating do so just to visit the temple," she added.
The fire comes as Tibetans celebrate Losar, their traditional new year, which began on Friday.The fire comes as Tibetans celebrate Losar, their traditional new year, which began on Friday.
Tibet has had a tumultuous history, during which it has spent some periods functioning as an independent entity and others ruled by powerful Chinese and Mongolian dynasties.Tibet has had a tumultuous history, during which it has spent some periods functioning as an independent entity and others ruled by powerful Chinese and Mongolian dynasties.
China sent in thousands of troops to enforce its claim on the region in 1950. Some areas became the Tibetan Autonomous Region and others were incorporated into neighbouring Chinese provinces.China sent in thousands of troops to enforce its claim on the region in 1950. Some areas became the Tibetan Autonomous Region and others were incorporated into neighbouring Chinese provinces.
China says Tibet has developed considerably under its rule.China says Tibet has developed considerably under its rule.
But rights groups say China continues to violate human rights, accusing it of political and religious repression - something Beijing denies.But rights groups say China continues to violate human rights, accusing it of political and religious repression - something Beijing denies.
Are you in the area? Please share your experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or please use the form below: