Protection plan decided for ancient Changsha city wall

Changsha (CNS) -- A protection plan has been formulated for the ancient city wall of Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, the provincial cultural relic authority announced on Monday. The wall was built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279).

At least 20 meters of the city wall will be kept on its ancient site, and the rest will be relocated as a whole to a local museum to better serve conservation and public exhibition purposes.

Archaeological experts are quoted as putting the value of the wall on par with the Mawangdui, an ancient tomb from the Western Han Dynasty (206BC–25AD) in Changsha.

The city wall will be preserved with respect to its geological conditions first and foremost, as well as considering the commercial value the relocation and other modern complements can bring.

The most complete and well preserved part of the ancient wall will be maintained and consolidated as it is, taking into consideration flood prevention capability and resistance to future construction disturbances.

The exact time frame of the protection project was not revealed on the day of the announcement, neither was the exact length and location of the section to be preserved on site.