Saving cultural heritage has become an overriding issue for the government.(Photo: CCTV.com)

The deadly earthquake in Sichuan took tens of thousands of lives and left millions homeless. There's also been a cultural impact. 65 important historic sites under state-level protection in Sichuan were damaged.

On Monday a major restoration project began under the aegis of the local government in Dujiangyan. This marked another big step in Sichuan's endeavor to save and protect its cultural heritage after the quake.

Dujiangyan is a source of much pride among Sichuan residents. Its 2200 year-old irrigation system was designated a World Cultural Heritage site in 2000.

Dujiangyan City was one of the areas most badly hit by the big tremor. A couple of historic sites in or near the city were badly damaged.

Erwangmiao - the Temple of Two Kings was utterly destroyed. It had been built in the 6th century as a commemoration to Li Bing. He was the local governor who oversaw the construction of the Dujiangyan irrigation system.

Also badly damaged by the quake was infrastructure in the Dujiangyan scenic area - like bridges, roads and pavilions.

Saving cultural heritage has become an overriding issue for the government.(Photo: CCTV.com)

The cost of the damage, according to government figures runs in the neighbourhood of 600-million yuan.

Saving cultural heritage has become an overriding issue for the government. A select group of experts and workers sent by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, is carrying out investigations and acting as the core of the reconstruction work.

Estimates anticipate a two-year period for the reconstruction work. Bricks and tiles from the original buildings are to be used in the reconstruction. The original look of the structures is to be maintained.

(CCTV July 2,2008)