Visitors to ancient Shaolin temple decline
February 6th, 2012 - 8:20 pm ICT by IANSBeijing, Feb 6 (IANS) The number of visitors to the famous Shaolin temple in Henan province, home to Shaolin Kung Fu martial arts, recorded a sharp decline during the weeklong spring festival celebrated in the last week of January.
The number of visitors to the Shaolin temple during the spring festival came down by about 42 percent compared to same period last year, the China Daily reported citing Dahe daily.
The popularity of the tourist attraction in Henan province over the holiday period declined apparently after it was warned against its poor service and maintenance.
The scenic spot received some 61,000 people during the festival.
A national committee of tourist spots expects the temple to complete an overhaul by the end of March 2012, failing which it will lose its top rating.
Founded in the 5th century, the Shaolin monastery is famous for its association with Chinese martial arts and particularly with Shaolin Kung Fu.
- Shaolin Temple monks take on tourist guide's role - Mar 26, 2012
- China's kung fu town to build global martial arts conglomerate - Aug 04, 2011
- China's Shaolin temple in world heritage list - Aug 02, 2010
- India-China martial arts meet at Shaolin temple - Jun 21, 2010
- China's Shaolin Temple risks losing rating - Jan 31, 2012
- China unveils 100 new books on Buddhist medicine - May 29, 2011
- Martial arts display marks Sino-India diplomatic ties - Jul 12, 2010
- 53-year-old Chinese woman pulls 6 cars weighing over 9 tons! - Nov 20, 2010
- 'CEO monk' set to franchise Kung Fu Shaolin shrine - Nov 25, 2008
- China raises Bruce Lee to rival NY's Liberty - Aug 18, 2010
- Chinese temples turning into tourist spots - Nov 19, 2010
- China welcomes Year of the Dragon (Lead) - Jan 23, 2012
- 'Kung Fu Panda 2' breaks China records, earns 11 mn pounds - Jun 06, 2011
- Peter Andre has kung-fu ambition - Jan 24, 2012
- It's China, avoid cable car sex - May 05, 2012
Tags: beijing, china daily, chinese martial arts, decline, holiday period, kung fu martial arts, national committee, popularity, shaolin monastery, shaolin temple, spring festival, tourist attraction, tourist spots