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August 23, 2015

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Ancient pagoda to be restored for exhibition

THE ornamental part of a pagoda in Shanxi Province, which was broken during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, is to be restored for an exhibition in Taiwan.

The pagoda, originally from Shuozhou city and built in 466 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534), is the oldest in China.

It is 205 centimeters tall and was commissioned by an official, Cao Tiandu, to honor his deceased father and son.

During the war the base and tower of the pagoda were taken to Japan by the invaders. After the war ended they were returned to the Kuomintang government.

The ornament on the top of the tower was preserved by someone in Shuozhou.

More than 1,400 Buddha images are inscribed on the three parts of the pagoda, which is believed to be extremely valuable in the study of Buddhism’s early stages in China.

The base and tower are stored in a museum in Taipei, while the top remains on the Chinese mainland.

Li Fushan, head of the cultural relics management institute of Chongfu Temple in Shuozhou, said he is glad the parts will be reunited.

“We have just signed a letter of intent with Taiwan, and are waiting for government approval,” he said.




 

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