Honored temple starts restoration work

By Xu Xiao ( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2011-07-15

Restoration work on Baxianguan, a major tourist attraction in the Wudang Mountain scenic area, began on July 13.

Baxianguan (Chinese for “temple of the eight immortals”) is located in the village of Baxian, which got its name from the legendary eight immortals of Taoism, who were said to have met in the area. Subsequent generations built the temple to memorialize them.

Baxianguan is also an important part of Wudang Mountain’s traditional architecture, so the restoration is important for China’s cultural heritage. The restoration work approved by the State Cultural Heritage Administration is expected to last for 15 months and cost about 7.6 million yuan.

During the Ming Dynasty’s (1368-1644) Yongle reign period, the emperor asked the people to put up 18 structures for rites and religious ceremonies. Only 12 of these remain, on a 6,000-square-meter area, and some are in poor condition and badly in need of restoration.

Officials say that after the restoration work is completed, visitors to the Wudang scenic area will have more to look at.