Professor joins hands in ancient architecture maintenance

Wang Qijun donates 200,000 yuan ($30,335) for maintaining ancient buildings in Taining, Fujian province. [Photo by Huang Zhiling/chinadaily.com.cn]

Taining, which literally means prosperity and peace, remains unknown to many Chinese. It got its name from Emperor Zhezong of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) in 1086.

The county is best known for the Danxia landforms. Danxia, which literally means red rock, refers to red-colored sandstones and formations of the Cretaceous age from 145 to 66 million years ago.

Together with Chishui in Guizhou province, Langshan Mountain in Hunan province, Danxia Mountain in Guangdong province, Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi province and Jianglang Mountain in Zhejiang province, Taining became one of China's six Danxia landforms included on the UNESCO's World Natural Heritage list in 2010.

Taining also boasts many ancient buildings. Shangshudi, or Residence of the Minister, is the best-known building dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The residence of Li Chunye (1571-1637), minister of national defense in the dynasty, is Fujian's largest and best preserved Ming residence.

"Built from 1623 to 1627, it covers more than 4,000 square meters and has 120 rooms made of bricks, stones and wood. Buildings are mainly one-story. Reign titles of two Ming emperors can be seen on wells, which are still used," said executive county magistrate Jiang Qiurong.

Related:

Replica of luxurious chariot from ancient times wows Xi'an visitors

Three brothers turn crystal sculptures into work of art