From Beijing Review:
For 48 years it has lain submerged in a reservoir. Now, completely reconstructed, Jingle Palace, the most magnificent of the nine Taoist palaces in UNESCO’s world heritage site of the Wudangshan Mountains, was opened to tourists in late March 2006.
In 1958, a reservoir was built in Danjiangkou as part of the first phase of a south-to-north water diversion project designed to relieve water shortages in northern China, drowning Jingle Palace, along with the ancient city of Junzhou. In order to preserve the important facets of the structure, two giant bixi—a legendary creature believed to be the son of the dragon—tablets, as well as 800 exquisite stone carvings were rescued and taken to the suburbs of Danjiangkou.
The reconstruction of Jingle Palace began in its new location several years ago with the support of the government. The project is aimed at helping maintain the integrity of the world heritage site and carrying forward China’s Taoist cultural traditions. [Full Text]
Also from Beijing Review:
– Protecting the Past: romoting folk culture has become an important mission for some local governments, especially in ethnic minority areas
– Old Buildings, New Life: As Shanghai modernizes by building shiny skyscrapers, it is also preserving historic architecture
– Treasure Hunt: A Chinese NGO aims to develop a model for recovering Chinese cultural treasures overseas
