"As the epitome of Chinese history and culture, the complex has
played an important role in the development of the national
culture, national spirit and national identity," said experts from
the State Cultural Relics Bureau who sat on the assessment
committee for the sixth batch of national key protection units of
historical relics.
The Taishan Mountain ancient building complex has successfully
entered the list of the Sixth Batch of National Key Protection
Units of Historical Relics recently approved by the State Council,
China's cabinet.
As a result, the Taishan Mountain has five national key
protection units of historical relics. The other four are the Dai
Temple and Feng Yuxiang Grave approved in 1988, as well as the
carved stones such as the Sutra Rock Valley and the Cliff
Engravings of Tang Dynasty (618-907), and the Great Wall of Qi
Kingdom (479-502), both approved in 2001.
According to experts, the five national key protection units
have in effect covered the ancient building complex, stone
inscription, pavilions, lanes, bridges and temples of the Taishan
Mountain, thus improving the integral value of the mountain.
Ancient building complex
Historical literature shows that the ancient building complex of
the Taishan Mountain was constructed during several dynasties. The
majority was built in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911)
dynasties in answer to religious activities such as the needs of
emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and Earth on the
mountain.
"The ancient building complex of Taishan Mountain is closely
associated with the history of Chinese emperors sacrificing to the
Heaven and Earth on the mountain," said experts, adding that: "As
they represent the longevity, continuity and abundance of Taishan
Mountain's history and culture, these ancient buildings are of
great value in the Chinese history."
The ancient buildings were constructed along a nine-kilometer
winding path. The important parts of the buildings are the Guandi
Temple, Queen Mother's Pool, Red Gate Palace, South Heaven Gate,
Three Officers Temple, Azure Cloud Temple, Confucius Temple, and
Temple of Universal Illumination.
In addition, there are also seven pavilions, nine lanes and six
bridges, representing the typical construction style of the Ming
and Qing dynasties.
Taishan Mountain was listed by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization as both the world cultural and
natural heritages in December 1987, with the ancient building
complex comprising its main contents.
With the unique natural landscape of Taishan Mountain as its
background, the ancient building complex has high aesthetic and
scientific research values.
Furthermore, readers can always come across these ancient
buildings in the beautiful poetry written by literati of past
dynasties.
Restoration efforts
The well-preserved state of the ancient building complex is
attributed to the scientific and systematic protection and
management by related authorities.
The Taishan Mountain administration committee carried out
large-scale renovations of the ancient building complex in 1956,
1959, 1978, 1984, 1994, 2000 and 2004.
Last year, in line with the principle of "renovating the old
buildings, keeping true to its historical feel," related
authorities invested 24 million yuan (US$3 million) in launching an
all-round restoration of the cultural relics and ancient buildings
on the mountain.
The restoration and consolidation of the Caojiazhuang Reservoir,
one of three major projects, began this year. The Guandi Temple,
Red Gate Palace, Confucius Temple and Mokong Pavilion will see
their restoration complete at the end of this year.
According to the Overall Planning of the Taishan Mountain Scenic
and Historical Interest Area, all the restoration projects will be
completed by 2010.
During the restoration period, the construction sites will be
enclosed to guarantee tourist safety.
Separately, the government of Tai'an, where the Taishan Mountain
is situated, recently issued Management Regulations for the
Protection of Geological Relics in the Taishan Mountain
Geopark.
The regulation has set up a multi-level protection system by
dividing the protection area into four parts according to their
geological values, which will effectively prevent artificial
destruction of geological heritage and landscape.
(China Daily June 23, 2006)
