Shaolin told to clean up its image

Updated: 2012-01-31 10:43

By An Baijie and Xiang Mingchao (China Daily)

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ZHENGZHOU - China's most famous Buddhist temple, the Shaolin Temple, could become better known for messiness and poor service.

An investigation of the five-star tourist spot found piles of garbage, disorderly service and traffic paralyzed by roadside venders and dealers, according to a report by tourism authorities.

Zheng Shumin, director of the publicity department of the Shaolin Temple, confirmed to China Daily on Monday that the temple is cooperating with the local government to rectify the problems.

Shaolin told to clean up its image
Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin poses with the certificate of a luxury cassock, which was given to him as a gift by a silk company, in Songshan, Henan province, June 7, 2009. [Photo/CFP]  

The temple, in Zhengzhou, Henan province, must fix the problems before March or lose its five-star level, Zheng said.

During a visit in October, the National Tourism Association discovered problems with equipment, order and services which do not meet the requirements of a five-star level tourism zone, according to a report in Oriental Outlook, a magazine run by the Xinhua News Agency.

The investigation team found vehicles parked in a disorderly fashion, unlicensed taxis, salespersons chasing tourists with souvenirs, and many people dressed like monks doing fortune-telling business or promoting products.

Inside, the temple was too crowded due to a lack of tourist flow control, and the places selling food were disorganized, said the report.

The report also said the tourist area was too small and badly managed, and the medical center is short of supplies.

Management of the temple has been carried out by China Travel Service (Hong Kong) since late 2009. Oriental Outlook quoted two staff members of CTS as saying the company has not invested sufficient money to promote management of the temple.

More than 300 trees in the temple have died of drought since the company refused to invest in irrigation, a staff member of CTS told Oriental Outlook.

Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, admitted that there were some problems including dirt, mess and forcing tourists to buy products in places around the temple. He said management should be improved, according to the Oriental Outlook report.

Qian Guoping, general manager of the Dengfeng branch of the CTS, refused to comment to China Daily on Monday.

The temple's publicity chief Zheng said the temple is the victim of the company's poor management.

"For the temple and the monks here, what we do care about is the protection of the religious culture, not the commercial profits," Zheng said. "It is the CTS that should be responsible for the poor management of the temple."