According to Tian Qiang, an engineer from the pagoda's administration office, the slant might have been caused by weathering and the external force of kite strings.
Knowing that the pagoda was "sick", experts in the field of cultural relic restoration came to its aid.
To restore the spire without causing any damage to the pagoda, it took around 20 days to build a 46-meter high scaffold around it.
The Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage and other institutions offered their suggestions on the process of removing the spire, as well as providing data support for the repair and restoration of the leaning section via x-ray inspection and 3D digital scanning.
Ancient scripture was also found on the top of the spire. "Although the damage to the spire is kind of critical, it still reflects the delicacy of ancient Chinese bronze casting techniques. The ancient Chinese could even carve on a thin copper sheet," says Ma Jinyu, an expert with the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage.
