Volunteers and locals repaint Tibet’s Potala Palace with milk and honey each year, keeping the “Sweet Palace” tradition alive.
Every October, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, receives its annual “beauty treatment.” Residents and volunteers gather to repaint the palace’s massive white, red, and yellow walls.
The paint mixture is truly special. It blends milk, honey, sugar, saffron, and lime. This traditional recipe gives the palace a warm glow and helps protect its ancient walls. Because of the sweet ingredients, people affectionately call it the “Sweet Palace.”
This year, many travellers joined the local volunteers. A visitor from Gansu said, “It’s an honour to help repaint the Potala Palace. Every stroke feels meaningful.” His words reflect the shared feeling among the participants.
For the people of Lhasa, the repainting is not only about preserving the building. It is also a spiritual ritual — a means to pray for happiness, a bountiful harvest, and world peace. Families, monks, and visitors work side by side, turning the event into a festival of unity and devotion.
The palace remains open during the repainting. Tourists can still explore the ancient halls, while those who assist with the work are offered tea and food.
Each layer of colour tells a story — of tradition, faith, and the deep bond between the Potala Palace and the people who protect it.
Additional reporting by Xinhua, CNS.
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