Special State Funds for Upkeep of Song Structure Decided

The State Bureau of Culture Relics (SBCR) and the Ministry of Construction have lately, after a two years' intensive study by experts, decided to allocate 1 million yuan for upkeep of Zhaojiabao, an old structure dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) at Zhangpu, Fujian Province.

Zhaojiabao, known also as Zhaojiacheng, is located in Zhangpu County of Fujian Province. Built by King Zhao Ruo of Southern Song, it has already had a history of as many as 700 years. The layout of Zhaojiabao by its architecture style as of those old structures seen in today's Kaifeng keeps reminiscences of influential royal house of the time of Song. By its history and old construction people will be helped significantly to make a study into the history and architecture style of the time of Song.

Formed of an outer wall, inner wall and Jade Tower, Zhaojiabao covers an area of 139 mu (1 hectare =15 mu). Built 1,200 meters in circumference, standing 6.3 meters high, the outer wall has four gate towers. The north and south gate towers already collapsed in ruins while the east and west ones have been renovated and mounted with such characters as "Oriental Great Barrier" and " Red Vessel" dating back to Song. The inner wall occupies an area of 6 mu. Jade Tower is a 3-storied structure being the main construction inside the wall, carrying the plaque of "Jade Tower" to mean "returning the jade intact to the State of Zhao".

The abundant culture relics and well-preserved ancient architecture complex of Song Dynasty of Zhaojiabao have attracted great attention and interests among many overseas scholars and tourists after nearly 10 years' renovation and protection.

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