Source: CCTV.com

07-02-2008 09:13

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.

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

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.