The relics of the Beiting West Temple in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, dating back 1,000 years, will open to tourists at home and abroad in April.

So far, some 15 million yuan has been invested to renovate the site of the ancient Beiting city and the ruins of the temple. The ruins is about 700 meters from the site of the city.

The temple is an imperial temple built and used between the 10th century and 13th century. The adobe building features well designed Buddha figures, fresco and sculptures reflecting that period of time.

The temple, located in Jimsar County, was listed under State-level protection in 1988.

Beiting was a famous city on the ancient Silk Road and had been used as an important base for ancient Chinese dynasties to rule over Xinjiang starting around AD 700.

(People’s Daily 03/28/2001)