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Forum on protecting ruins in Xi'an
By Lu Hongyan and Ge Lin (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-10-24 14:26

A forum on protecting the ruins at Daming Palace from the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) was held in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province from October 21 to 22.

Sponsored by the National Administration of Cultural Heritage (NACH) and the Shaanxi provincial government, the forum included Shan Jixiang, chief of the NACH, and representatives from 20 Chinese cities which have ruins to protect and are preserving historical sites.

The two-day forum showed the NACH's recognition of Xi'an's efforts in protecting of the ruins of historical sites and its hope to enhance the protection of other ruins in the rest of the country.

Xi'an, considered by many to be as famous as Rome in its civilization and long-history, is one of the four ancient civilized capital cities in the world. Thirteen feudal dynasties in China established their capital here, leaving behind profound cultural heritage.

Covering 350 hectares, Daming Palace, which is five times as large as the Forbidden City in Beijing, is a distinguished example of heritage in China. For about 200 years, 17 Chinese emperors worked and lived in Xi'an.

Before the opening of the forum, a fund-raising ceremony was held, with the proceeds going towards the protection of the Daming Palace ruins.