Palace ticket prices adjusted

Visitors to Lhasa's Potala Palace will be charged different entry prices for peak and off-peak seasons, the China News Service reported yesterday.

The Tibet Development and Reform Commission said tourists would have to pay 200 yuan each between May and October and 100 yuan between November and April. The new charges will start on January 1.

The report said the number of tourists had risen drastically during the peak season in recent years, leading to increased ticket scalping.

Authorities said the measure was designed to protect the ancient building and improve the safety of visitors on the palace's steep stairs and narrow alleyways.