The Shenzhen bureau for the preservation of cultural and historical relics was established yesterday, marking another move to establish the city as one with a rich cultural heritage.

Archaeologists have found that Shenzhen's history dates back to around 7,000 years ago during the Neolithic Age. Altogether 150 places in the city have been named heritage sites under different levels of protection. Dapeng Fortress in Longgang District, which was built in 1394 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to protect against Japanese pirates, is a national-level heritage site.

The city also boasts 19 museums, which house 40,169 relics, although the number of relics is only one-25th of that housed in Shanghai Museum and one- fifth of that in the Guangdong Provincial Museum.

According to the Shenzhen relics management authorities, there are altogether 1,694 heritage sites, among which 1,587 have ancient architecture, while the rest have ancient remains. The ancient sites include 700 traditional houses, 294 ancestral temples, 169 watchtowers and 148 Hakka circular residences.

The city is now undertaking its third heritage survey, which started June this year and will end June 2008, according to the bureau. All the immovable relics in Shenzhen have been included in the survey.

Many new heritage sites are being discovered during the ongoing renovation of urban villages and urban constructions.

Among many efforts to preserve history, a museum featuring the history of China's reform and opening up is being planned. Plans for two other museums -- a museum for culture and arts in the Song Dynasty (420-479) and an ancient piano museum -- are also being evaluated.

Editor: Donald