Beijing Tuesday began restoring the 1,371-year-old Taoist Huoshen Temple in the city.

Experts from the Beijing municipal bureau of relics said that the Huoshen Temple is an ancient site for Taoist rites and is renowned for its unique architectural style.

The temple complex covers an area of 4,000 square meters, with a floor space of 2,160 square meters. The first-phase restoration project, covering 650 square meters, will cost over two million yuan (about US$240,000).

Min Zhiting, President of the Taoist Association of China, says that the Huoshen Temple is an important place for practicing Taoist rites and also a key unit for relics protection.

The restoration will be completed in May 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2002)