LHASA -- The Jokhang Temple in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region reopened to the public Thursday after being closed for more than five months, due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Situated in the regional capital of Lhasa, the temple will be open from 8:30 am to 6 pm, and visitors are required to line up to buy tickets at the ticket office before entry, according to the temple's administrative committee.

For prevention and control of the epidemic, visitors to the temple are required to wear masks, maintain a social distance of over one meter, and carry their ID cards, while tourists from outside the region will also be asked to show their health QR codes, and have their body temperatures taken.

Built in the eighth century, the Jokhang Temple is home to many historical relics and typical Tibetan architecture. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, as part of the historic ensemble of the Potala Palace.