Authorities in Southwest China's Chongqing have approved a restoration plan for one of the municipality's oldest temples.

The municipal cultural relics bureau will partly repair Tushan Temple, while maintaining as much of its original features.

Located on Tushan Mountain, the Tushan Temple complex stretched for more than 10,000 square meters. It was originally used to worship Yu the Great, who, according to Chinese legend, stopped a huge flood.

"We will only repair parts that have decayed or have been damaged, and we will use local stones," said an official with the bureau. "Preservation is our top priority."

In recent years, Chongqing has stepped up protection efforts for its cultural heritage, with a circular in June outlining out specific measures for protection and preservation work.