Cultural relics damaged during Sichuan earthquake

Staff from the Cultural Relic Management Institute check the damage situation after an earthquake at the Zharu Temple in Jiuzhaigou scenic area, Sichuan province, on Aug 13. [Photo/VCG]

The Cultural Relic Management Institute of Aba prefecture in Sichuan province has conducted a general survey of the cultural relics at the Jiuzhaigou scenic spot after an earthquake on Sunday. The earthquake severely destroyed some of the relics in four counties of Jiuzhaigou, Songpan, Ruoergai and Hongyuan.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou county in Sichuan province on Aug 8, and the epicenter was near the Jiuzhaigou scenic area.

On Aug 13, Chen Xuezhi, the head of the Cultural Relic Management Institute of Aba prefecture, took staff to the Jiuzhaigou scenic area to survey the damage of the cultural relics.

The Zharu Temple, with a history of more than 1,000 years, was affected by the earthquake, and the tower footing of the white pagoda is spilt and some of the walls are damaged.

"The rear court room of the ancient scripture hall in the Zharu Temple has been seen inclined, and the Shuzheng watermill is also tilted," Chen said.

The Thangka Temple, built in 1450, whose architectures have shifted location, will be difficult to repair. The ruins of the Red Army's Long March, such as the former dwellings of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in Ruoergai region, have also tilted as a result of the earthquake.

The Songpan ancient city wall, with a length of 6.2 kilometers, is also badly damaged by the earthquake.

The general survey will last for four to five days.