Mount Wutai's Great White Pagoda reopens after restoration

The Great White Pagoda, a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Wutai in North China's Shanxi province, reopened to the public on Sept 17 after protective restoration.

Located in Xinzhou, Mount Wutai ranks first among the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List in 2009 as a cultural landscape.

The Great White Pagoda, the tallest extant Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) stupa in China, stands as an iconic landmark of Mount Wutai. Natural weathering and other factors had caused structural issues and surface pollution, affecting both its appearance and structural integrity.

To prevent further deterioration and restore its historical appearance, the Mount Wutai Scenic Area secured special funds for cultural relic protection and initiated the restoration project in 2023.

After a thorough reassessment of the problems identified, the scenic area coordinated with design units to optimize the design plan, which experts reviewed and approved to address the problems effectively and ensure restoration quality.

With each step carefully executed and monitored, the restoration team overcame challenges posed by the local high altitude, wide temperature variations, and short annual construction window, ensuring the project's safe and orderly progress. During the site cleanup, the team preserved the integrity of the pagoda and its surroundings.

The restored pagoda retains its historical grandeur while its structural and weathering issues have been resolved. With a pristine white facade and gleaming bronze bells, it now offers visitors an enhanced cultural experience.