Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, Monument at Potala Square in Lhasa, China.
The Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet is a concrete spire standing in the southern part of Potala Square in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It displays inscriptions in both Chinese and Tibetan characters on its surface and rises clearly above the surrounding open plaza.
The monument was unveiled in May 2002 to mark the anniversary of the 17-Point Agreement signed in 1951, which formalized Tibet's incorporation into the People's Republic of China. It was built as part of a broader redesign of the area around the Potala Palace.
The monument carries calligraphy by former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, carved into its surface and often photographed by visitors. Its pointed shape is meant to represent Mount Everest, which gives the structure a symbolic connection to the Tibetan landscape.
The monument stands in an open public space and can be reached on foot from most of central Lhasa without difficulty. Military personnel are permanently stationed at its base, so visitors should keep a respectful distance when approaching.
After dark, the spire is lit up, making it one of the few structures on the square that stands out clearly at night. Despite its position on one of Lhasa's most visited open spaces, many visitors spend only a few minutes here before turning their attention to the Potala Palace rising behind it.
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