Partner Wu Yunxin leads officials on a tour of the Pear Orchard Temple

Now that we have submitted out proposal to the Heritage Bureau, we needed to take the officials on a tour to explain where we want to make changes, and there are a lot. We’re upgrading electric, adding windows, skylights and removing cheaply constructed recent additions and adding a public toilet.

The response from Jianchuan Heritage Bureau was positive and we expect approval to begin construction before Chinese New Year.

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In late November, I spent a day with Mr. Yang, a Shaxi architect and master woodworker to discuss how to best integrate existing structural elements of the Pear Orchard Temple into future usage. The goal is to allow increased visitor traffic with minimal impact to the environment. As we plan to have a gift shop, vegetarian dining and tea room, we need to consider kitchen usage especially, as it doesn’t currently have anything but two Chinese coal-fired cookers.

Mr. Yang is a great resource when it comes to understanding Shaxi traditional construction and vernacular styles. It’s my job to help him understand about how we want to integrate modern electric, plumbing and lighting that will satisfy guests and the Heritage Bureau.

First meeting at temple, Winter 2011

In this photo is Mayor Zhang on the left facing me, with a village leader and other township officials in the doorway of the main hall. Note the notices posted everywhere and the skerret (a popular local tuber) drying on the terrace. When I first visited the temple, this area was occupied by old men from Dian Tou Village, smoking and playing cards. This East facing main room gets good light most of the day and is the favorite place for local people to hang out. We wanted to keep them coming to the temple for activities but needed to balance this with accommodating outside visitors. Mayor Zhang proposed an old people’s park set aside for them to play cards, while encouraging some to be caretakers.

Chris discusses wall repair with Jian Chuan Heritage Bureau Chief

The next step of government negotiations was talking with the Heritage Bureau for Jianchuan County. As Ci Yin An temple is over 300 years old, and a unique architectural site, the Heritage Bureau needs to see a detailed proposal of how we intend to repair the temple, and what what kinds of changes we intend to make to accommodate more visitors. Everything from plumbing, to wiring  to roof tiles must be approved by the Heritage Bureau.

Chris and Jianchuan County Heritage Bureau Chief Mr. Lu discuss proposal requirements

Understanding Heritage Bureau requirements, Ci Yin An temple rennovation

Assessing the Guan Yin Shrine, Pear Orchard Temple, Shaxi Yunnan

A typical interior room, used for temple festival storage

Most interior rooms not in the image halls are being used primarily for storage. They have not been well kept, though some floor boards on the second floor have been recently repaired. The challenge to restoring the temple is knowing what the original artwork looked like, as much of it has peeled off, been obscured by soot or covered with newspapers.

Upstairs storage area - Feb 2011

Flower planters, lower North courtyard - Feb 2011

Kitchen - Feb. 2011