Xi'an (CNS) -- A Buddhist pagoda, housing remains of the ancient eminent Buddhist Xuanzang, is threatened by the strong likelihood of a major landslide, CNS reported on November 24. The pagoda has stood for over a millennia at the Xingjiao Temple in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
Built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and located 20km south of Xi'an City, this structure of great cultural and historic value has survived plenty of historical disasters, but this year relentless rains have soaked the ground, creating conditions that invite serious landslides. The danger is exacerbated by the high-tension iron tower that rises on the slope behind the temple.
The iron tower not only increased the risks of landslides; it has added to security concerns, especially during thunderstorms, and ruins the view of the cultural site itself, in violation of the national law of cultural protection.
The local power office, project construction company and cultural relic office are all negotiating with the temple administration on a detailed plan to best preserve the precious pagoda, according to the local administration for ethnic and religious affairs.
