Shanghai starts restoration of ancient temple  

上海启动千年护国寺保护修复 尽力还原本来面目

经一年多筹备，具1500多年历史的上海护国寺6日正式启动保护和修复工作。负责是次修复的上海嘉定区佛教协会称，届时将尽力还原寺庙本来面目。

Shanghai (CNS) -- Renovations intended to recover the original look of the Huguosi Temple started on August 6, with the local Buddhist Association taking charge of the repair work. The ancient temple, with a history of over 1,500 years, sits in the Jiading District of Shanghai.

Temple custodians have set up temporary spots for burning incense and offering sacrifices during the renovation period to satisfy the needs of the Buddhist community.

The association took one year to collect large amount of historical literature about the temple it will use as a reference.

Huguosi Temple was established in the period of A.D. 503 to A.D. 519, and is one of the earliest Buddhist temples erected in the Shanghai area.