04-19-2007 09:30
Special Report: Cultural Heritage Day
The 1000-year-old Liuhe Ta, or Six-Harmony Pagoda, is one of the top attractions in Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang province. The discovery of a fresco inside the Pagoda in 2003 prompted many to wonder how much else about the pagoda remains unknown. But the media got its first close-up view of the fresco on Monday.
Most of the pictures painted on the pagoda walls feature characters from Chinese myths and legends. The fresco was discovered by accident in August 2003 during a regular check-up to the ancient tower. Before that none of the historic records about the tower ever mentioned them.
100 square meters of pictures have been revealed so far. Judging from the painting styles, and graffiti on top of them, the pictures spanned about two hundred years starting from the late 17th century.
Extensive protection measures are already under way including cleaning and repair. Let's hope the historic graffiti gets the same treatment.
Editor:Liu Fang
