Every year, on the eve of the 22nd day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, the Potala Palace undergoes wall painting to better protect this ancient structure. At first glance, this wall painting might not seem particularly special, but the materials used are quite unique. The main ingredient is pure, natural lime sourced from the Yangbajing area of Lhasa, and it is mixed with milk, sugar, honey, and saffron.
It is said that adding milk and honey helps increase the stickiness of the plaster, making it less likely to fall off and better protecting the walls. Saffron and certain tree barks serve to prevent insect damage, allowing the Potala Palace to withstand a year of wind and rain while maintaining its distinctive appearance. For this reason, people often say that the walls of the palace are sweet!
