Monasteries closed in eastern Tibet during Dalai Lama’s 6 July birthday.

Chinese authorities ordered Tibetan monasteries in eastern Tibet to close to visitors on 6 July, the 85th birthday of the Dalai Lama.

The closures affected areas of Tibet governed under Qinghai Province, as well as parts of Kanlho Prefecture.

According to a local source, a government group led by Wang Shu Yin, a Chinese Communist Party official, also inspected Ganden Phuntsok Ling monastery in eastern Tibet the day before  the Dalai Lama’s birthday.

“During their tour, the Chinese officials urged the residents to become exemplary and patriotic monks and watch out for any outside visitors in the area and in the monastery itself,” the source told Tibet Watch, adding that the authorities told the monks to report any suspicious people to the local authorities.

It is customary for Tibetans to visit temples and monasteries for religious and special occasions like the birthday of the Dalai Lama, who is considered by many Tibetans to be their spiritual leader.

Phuntsok Ling monastery.

“Many devotees in different parts of Tibet have made ritual offerings of juniper smoke to celebrate the birthday of the Dalai Lama,” a source in Tibet told Tibet Watch.

The news of the monastery closures come after Free Tibet reported Tibetans are being barred from monasteries while Chinese tourists are allowed in.