Spirit of vitalization

Restoration and protection of ancient structures shows a community determined to succeed, report Wang Qian and Zhu Xingxin in Jincheng, Shanxi province.

Located in Jincheng in Shanxi province, the Qinglian (Green Lotus) Temple is known for its painted sculptures from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. Following its reopening in June — it was damaged by heavy rain in 2021 — the wooden temple has regained its former glory, and is attracting many tourists.

Bai Xuebing, deputy director of the Shanxi Cultural Relics Bureau, says that longer rainy seasons and more frequent flash flooding caused by climate change are the main factors threatening ancient buildings in the province.

To Bai's delight, the temple has been restored to its original splendor thanks to a renovation project sponsored by the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Beijing Bytedance Foundation. Ten million yuan ($1.40 million) was spent on the restoration of four of its ancient structures over a three-year time frame.

Bai believes this is a good example of how social organizations can get involved in ancient restoration projects.