In an effort to maintain its reputation as China's most famous Buddhist temple, the Shaolin Temple in Henan province began to provide monks as tourist guides in late February after its image as a tourist spot was tarnished by criticism.

The Shaolin Temple's "voluntary guide group" was founded on February 27 and is composed of more than 20 monks who provide free tours for the visitors, Zheng Shumin, director of the Shaolin Temple publicity department said last weekend.

The Shaolin Temple began this practice after being criticized for messiness and poor service last December by the National Tourism Association. The association found vehicles parked outside the temple in a disorderly fashion, vendors chasing tourists with souvenirs, and fortune tellers and others peddling their wares while dressed like monks.

Zheng said that many monks had served as guides during Buddhist events and visits by important figures, so the guide group is a natural outcome of that practice. The monks have received two weeks of tourism courses and the free guide service is now available at the main entrance to the temple, Zheng said.

"It's an honor to introduce the Shaolin Temple's glorious history to tourists," said Yan Xin, a young monk who is a member of the guide group.

"I practice martial arts every day and keep in good physical shape. As a result, I don't feel tired even though I have already served two groups of visitors this afternoon," he added.