Shaolin Temple pagodas to apply for world heritage listing

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 ◆ Shaolin Temple pagodas to apply for world heritage listing

Central China's Henan Province is striving to put its more than 600 pagodas at Shaolin Temple and on nearby Songshan Mountain on the United Nation's World Heritage list.

Paperwork is now underway and the local government plans to apply for the honor in June, 2004.

Built as tombs for monks from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to Qing Dynasty (1368-1644), these pagodas provide vital clues for the study of ancient architecture and sculptures in China, archaeologists say.

Known as China's "museum of ancient pagodas", Shaolin Temple boasts more than 240 pagodas, including the oldest in the country, the Fawang Temple Pagoda.

To help preserve these pagodas well, the local government set up a special organization in 2000 and adopted a series of measures, such as renovating weathering pagodas and building protective enclosures.

China so far boasts 28 world natural and cultural heritage sites.