Specialists of ancient architecture have begun restoring six valuable Buddhist pagodas at Mount Songshan in central China's Henan Province. 

The six pagodas, all state-level cultural relics, are in the Fawang Temple on the mount, where Shaolin Temple, famed worldwide for its martial arts, is also located. Four of the six pagodas date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and one was built in the Mongolian-ruled Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and one in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

According to experts, the Tang pagodas are rare because they are relatively well-preserved brick-stone buildings of the dynasty, holding valuable clues to architectural and cultural research of the dynasty, when the Chinese feudal civilization reached it culmination.

Because of lack of maintenance and the weathering effects of centuries, the pagodas are in poor condition. Experts will use traditional techniques to reinforce pagodas and repair damaged parts.

The whole project, also involving the management of surrounding areas of pagodas, is listed as the key project for protecting ancient cultural relics by the State Bureau of Cultural Relics, which has allocated 4.12 million yuan (US$496,000) for the restoration.

(Xinhua News Agency October 11, 2003)