Leaning tower of Songjiang to undergo repair

Shanghai's heritage conservation agency is planning to repair an ancient tower which has tilted beyond acceptable parameters.

Located in the city's suburban Songjiang district, the seven-story octagonal Hu Zhu Tower was first built in 1079. As it has been leaning too much toward the southeast, it will require additional reinforcements to prevent it from falling, according to the district news office.

The project to rectify the problem has already been approved by the municipal administration of culture and tourism, and a detailed plan is being worked on, it said. Authorities said that the project will "not alter the raw condition of the heritage".

The tower was last restored in 1980. That project involved reinforcing the tower and preventing it from tilting further.

During a recent inspection, the Songjiang forestry station discovered new cracks in the lower part of the tower. It also found that the southwestern side of the tower's foundation has been sinking.