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Tibet's religious shrines are fully adequate to satisfy the needs of Tibetan Buddhists, said Ceba, an official with the Tibet Regional Religious Affairs Committee.

The central government has allocated 400 million yuan (48 million US dollars) for the construction of new and for the renovation of old temples for the past 25 years.

A recent survey in the region's seven cities and 719 townships show there are 1,780 temples and lamaseries and 130 nunneries.

"Tibet, with two million Buddhists, has more religious sites than any other region in China," Ceba said.

Potala Palace and other temples are still the most prominent buildings in Lhasa, the regional capital, and in Xigaze and Qamdo counties. Buddhists in lamaseries holding butter oil lamps and prayer wheels are a common sight.

The local government has built new lamaseries in some residential quarters to replace the original buildings which were destroyed by floods.

"The new lamasery is similar to the old one. The difference is that our new houses are more spacious," said Bazhub, a senile man in Gyangze Prefecture.

During religious festivals, Tibetan Buddhists pay their respects to Buddha, offer alms and make vows to a god.