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Repairing Damage To Ancient Sites, Tourism Not A Priority

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The Associated Press

Published: June 1, 2008

DUJIANGYAN, China - Taoist Master Dan Jia picks through the wreckage of the 1,500-year-old Erwang Temple, piling books in a stack and dusting off altarpieces.

The elaborate complex of hillside halls and chambers is among renowned historic sites in Sichuan province that were badly damaged by the massive earthquake in China almost three weeks ago.

The May 12 quake damaged 45 national and 59 provincial historical sites, state media said Friday, citing the State Administration of Cultural Relics. It estimated the destruction in the tens of millions of dollars and said repairs would take a minimum of two years.

The earthquake, which killed an estimated 80,000 people, also dealt a blow to the tourism industry - a mainstay of the local economy in the resort city of Dujiangyan.

More than 3 million visitors came to Dujiangyan and its neighboring scenic Qingcheng mountain area last year, generating revenue of 3.3 billion yuan, or about $475 million, said Ji Yanli, deputy marketing director for Dujiangyan's tourism department.

The direct economic losses to the sites damaged in the quake were estimated at about $288 million.

In the quake's aftermath, some historic sites have been converted to emergency shelters. About 40 members of the city's Muslim community have taken up residence in their 500-year-old mosque, sleeping and eating where visitors once shot holiday photos.

With massive demands for shelter, food and medical care, restoring the region's historic sites is a low priority at the moment. Dan said a few officials from government religious affairs departments have visited since the quake but have yet to announce any specific rebuilding plans.

Ji said her department would announce a reconstruction plan next month, although no date had been set for the start of work.

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