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About Datong
Liang Memorial enjoys visitor boom
More than 30,000 tourists from home and abroad have visited the Liang Sicheng Memorial in Datong，Shanxi province, in less than one year since its establishment in Sept 26, 2011.
The memorial has received a fantastic welcome of Datong locals, whom visit the memorial to express their gratitude to Liang, a famous architect and a pioneer in protecting ancient architecture. Large numbers of tourists from across the world also enjoy coming here during weekends and holidays.
The memorial covers an area of 1,210 square meters with an archaic courtyard and four exhibition halls. A large number of books and photos on display give a vivid description of Liang's life, especially his efforts in Datong. Visitors can also learn about the contribution towards preserving Chinese ancient buildings made by his wife, Lin Huiyin and her team.
Liang visited Datong in 1933, together with his wife, a celebrated female architect. They conducted research and explored the Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, and Shanhua Temple. Thanks to their efforts, these historical buildings are well preserved and the three were listed in the first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1961.
In February 1950, Liang and Chen Zhanxiang, a famous urban planning expert, worked together and proposed the Construction of a New Administrative Center for Government Buildings, known as "Liang & Chen Plan". In recent years, the local government of Datong has adopted an urban plan, "Developing a New Datong While Preserving Old Buildings" which has drawn on experience from the famous "Liang & Chen Plan".
In front of the eastern city wall of Datong, the memorial is the first to remember Liang and the only archaized building in China with a earth-sheltered courtyard, leaving grey roof tiles, sculptures of Chinese dragons and roof monsters above the ground. The house is well laid-out. Under the eaves of the front door, there is a plaque which says "Liang Sicheng Memorial" written by his student, Luo Zhewen, another famous Chinese architect.
Edited by Fu Bo and Emily Cheng
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