Lhasa, Jan 26 (TIWN) The Potala Palace in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region will be shut from January 27 to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus, local authorities said on Sunday.

The Potala Palace, a local landmark, is a model of ancient architecture and home to over 100,000 pieces of cultural relics, Xinhua reported.

It was listed as a key national cultural relic in 1961.