The 730-year-old Baita Temple (White Stupa Temple) in downtown Beijing will open to the public from October 1 after massive renovations.

The facelift started in 1997 and cost more than 84 million yuan (US$10 million). It became one of the most expensive restoration projects in Beijing.

The temple, which is under State protection, was completed by the famed Nepalese architect and technologist, Arniger, in 1279 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).

However, the temple was destroyed by fire in 1368 in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and only its white pagoda survived. The pagoda is the largest Tibetan-style Buddhist tower left in China.

The temple was reconstructed in 1457 and many of its buildings were erected during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

One of the major tasks of the renovation project was to relocate people living in the side halls of the temple, said Jiang Lirong, an official with the temple's management office.

He said 172 households were moved out of the eastern and western side halls between 1997 and 2002. A shop and several temporary buildings around the temple were also demolished.

About 10 historic temple buildings seriously damaged by the elements and human activities over hundreds of years were repaired. They include the bell tower, the drum tower, and the abbot's yard.

The renovation project is just one part of the city's ambitious plan to protect relics in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games.

The municipal government earmarked 330 million yuan (US$40 million) from 2000 to 2002 to protect about 100 historical sites, including the Baita Temple.

A further 600 million yuan (US$72.6 million) has been set aside between 2003 and 2008 to maintain and renovate another 100 places of historic interest across the city, said Mei Ninghua, director of the Beijing Administrative Bureau of Cultural Relics.

Ancient temples, imperial gardens, nobles' residences and imperial tombs will be restored over this period to showcase the capital's history to the athletes and tourists who pour in for the 2008 Olympics, said Mei.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)