After renovations, Huo Shen Temple to open ahead of the Games

Huo Shen Temple after renovation

(BEIJING, March 9) -- Refurbished using funds of 34 million yuan, the Huo Shen Temple, or the Fire God Taoist Temple, will open to the public ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games, reported the Beijing-based newspaper, The First.

Possibly built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the key historic site lying along the northern axis of the capital city was renovated once in 1605 (Ming Dynasty) and once in 1759 (Qing Dynasty). The inimitable mixture of Ming and Qing architectural styles also received improvements at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Huo Shen Temple after renovation

After China's Liberation, the cultural ruins were converted into a military rest house and provisional residency. In 2002, local cultural relic protection administrations rescued the dilapidating building from further decay by relocating the sprawling dwellers and units and greatly improved the temple's neighborhood, creating a new pattern of cultural relic rehabilitation for the future.

Also according to the administration, the original appearance and the structural materials of the temple were preserved, and 60 percent of the original colored drawings were saved.