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Global Heritage Fund Commits Funds to Save 1,200-Year-Old Wooden Chinese Temple

GHF Partners to Preserve 'Fountainhead' of Classical Chinese Architecture

PALO ALTO , CALIF. - Global Heritage Fund (GHF) has committed nearly a quarter of a million dollars over four years to support efforts to save the 1,200-year-old Foguang Temple , China 's oldest wooden building.

As a result of its partnership with GHF, the Shanxi Bureau of Cultural Relics has secured matching funding from the Beijing central government to restore and preserve the temple. The combined funding from both sources essentially covers the total estimated budget of $960,000 for the project.

GHF, the leading international conservancy preserving endangered world heritage sites in developing countries, will provide funding and expertise for the investigation, planning and scientific conservation of the temple, which is one the most important remaining architectural jewels of Chinese civilization.  Built during of the Tang Dynasty, Foguang Temple represents the peak of Buddhist art and architecture from the 9th century AD. It has not been repaired or maintained since the 17th century. 

"The Foguang Temple has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair," says Jeff Morgan, GHF executive director.  "Without immediate attention, China 's last remaining ancient wooden monument, and the finest jewel of Tang period architecture would have been lost forever." 

Through the years, the site has seen extensive structure damage from falling rocks, rotting roofing, beams and pillars and the overall deterioration of the Tang Dynasty architecture and sculptures.

" Foguang Temple is both a priceless religious site and a national treasure," says Morgan. "GHF is proud to be a working partner with the Shanxi Bureau of Cultural Relics to save this important heritage site for future generations."

The site, located in the sacred Wutai Mountains , has high potential for UNESCO World Heritage nomination by the Chinese government, which established it as one of China 's most important national heritage sites since 1961.

About Global Heritage Fund

Global Heritage Fund is the leading international conservancy preserving endangered world heritage sites in developing countries. The conservancy's goal is to enable successful, long-term preservation of humankind's most important archaeological sites and ancient townscapes, creating new opportunities for economic growth. Global Heritage Fund uses its Preservation by Design methodology to develop comprehensive Master Conservation Plans, provide early matching grants and training, build local institutions and promote sustainable tourism development to further permanent protection for global cultural treasures. Global Heritage Fund is a registered non-profit international conservancy based in Palo Alto , California .

At the very heart of GHF's conservation efforts are the organization's Leaders in Conservation , the Advisory Board, and Trustees for Global Heritage, a distinguished network of philanthropists and foundations committed to preserving and protecting these endangered one-of-a-kind archaeological and world heritage sites.

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