An ancient pagoda in Shanghai will open to the public for the first time since 1949 to mark its 1,759th birthday.

Longhua Pagoda. Photo: sunnychina.com

The Longhua Pagoda in Xuhui District was built in 247 AD during the Three Kingdoms period, and is believed to be the best preserved ancient tower in Shanghai.

The Shanghai Daily reports that the pagoda will be opened to the public on September 21 and 22 as well as October first to third.

Ticket prices will be released next week. Local officials say all proceeds from ticket sales will be used to fund renovation work on the historic pagoda.

Longhua Pagoda was discovered in 1998 to be leaning 1.04 meters to the east. The slant has been under control since the government carried out work to strengthen the pagoda's structural integrity.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 11, 2006)