Chinese experts are waiting for the Kathmandu restoration to be completed

02:25

It’s been almost a year since Guo Qianru, a 33-year-old Chinese engineer, was last in Nepal. When she boarded a plane back to China in early January, she imagined she would be returning to Kathmandu shortly after the Spring Festival holiday. But then the Covid-19 epidemic spread, and she has not been able to return to the place where she has spent more than 200 days a year for the past two years.

Since August 2017, Guo and six colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage (CACH) have been working with a team of Nepalese artisans to restore the nine-story Basantapur Complex in Kathmandu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was severely damaged during a 2015 earthquake.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a sudden and grinding halt to reconstruction in Nepal after the earthquake. Restoration work at the Basantapur Complex was suspended in late March when Nepal entered a national lockdown.

The nine-story Basantapur complex is under restoration in October 2019. / Courtesy of China Central Television

The nine-story Basantapur complex is under restoration in October 2019. / Courtesy of China Central Television

In April 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Kathmandu Valley, causing widespread killing and destruction and turning many priceless historical buildings into rubble.

Kathmandu Valley, which includes seven protected archaeological areas, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its distinct architecture and the unique coexistence of different religions.

The Basantapur Complex is a nine-storey building located at the entrance to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It was built in the late 18th century by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the first king of the Shah dynasty, who unified Nepal. The complex represents a unique blend of Newware’s centuries-old architecture and foreign influence from Muslim Mughals.

International delegates visited the nine-storey Basantapur complex after the earthquake. / AP

International delegates visited the nine-storey Basantapur complex after the earthquake. / AP

The Basantapur complex was severely damaged during the earthquake. The top three floors of the Basantapur Tower have completely collapsed. The upper level of the Northeast Tower was completely destroyed. Other parts of the chassis were also damaged and deformed. Many of the wooden beams and carvings were dislodged and left strewn on the floor.

At the request of the Nepalese government, China has pledged 94 million yuan (about $ 14 million) to help restore the Basantapur complex. The project was expected to last five years, from 2017 to 2022.

In the two years prior to the start of work, the complex suffered further damage. Two monsoons have passed since the earthquake. “Two years after it was left unattended, there were three monkeys living inside, and fleas were everywhere. It was a complete devastation,” Guo said.

In the early days, there was some disagreement between Chinese and Nepalese experts regarding how to restore the structure. The Chinese supported a policy of minimal intervention, while the Nepalese wanted to completely rebuild the structure, because for them renewal means progress. Over time, the Chinese view prevailed.

“They gradually accepted our concept because they see that we are working hard to preserve their cultural heritage,” said Joe. In the end, a middle approach was agreed – keeping any parts still reusable and making replacements for any parts that were lost or irreparable.

Zhou Jianguo uses ancient photos as a reference for restoration work. / Yan Jingwei, CGTN

Zhou Jianguo uses ancient photos as a reference for restoration work. / Yan Jingwei, CGTN

Workers collect the scattered pieces of wood. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

Workers collect the scattered pieces of wood. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

Another challenge the Chinese team initially faced was the lack of detailed references, which were crucial if they wanted to reassemble the chassis and its various parts exactly as they were. They searched for local photographers, asked them for any old photos they might have of the complex, and consulted local conservation experts to see if they had any unpublished reference material.

“In traditional Nepalese architecture, all the wood pieces are handcrafted,” said Zhou Jianguo, who has a lot of experience in restoring famous temples in Tibet, as someone with great experience in restoring famous temples in Tibet, who is the supervisor of the restoration of Basantapur: “In traditional Nepalese architecture, all the wooden pieces are handcrafted. “We spent a year numbering all the fallen parts we could recover and trying to piece by piece to get a correct panorama.”

“We are also thinking about digitizing the reference materials we have,” said Joe. “Then they were transferred to the Department of Antiquities in Nepal for future conservation efforts.”

Basantapur Complex was the royal palace of Hindu Kings. It is famous for its delicate woodcuts, which often depict the myths associated with Hinduism.

The 2015 earthquake destroyed several wooden components of the complex. Craftsmen with the skills to recover it were few and far between. Therefore, the Chinese team explored the nearby city of Bhaktapur, which is famous for woodcarving.

“We rely on local sculptors to fix the wood carvings,” Guo said. “Wood carving skills are passed on from generation to generation within their families. Local sculptors only know where and how to carve their gods.”

Sanukaji Shakya has been a woodcarver for 20 years. Joined Basantapur restoration work in May 2018, fixing broken wood struts and other components. During carving, he pays special attention to the various facial expressions of deities. He is trying to resonate with his subjects in order to make his work more realistic. “We are working in our traditional way,” she said. “I am very happy that the Chinese respect our views.”

It may take a month to repair one wooden post. / Li Liang, CGTN

It may take a month to repair one wooden post. / Li Liang, CGTN

“They are a living heritage,” said Rohit Rangitkar, the country director of the Kathmandu Valley Conservation Fund (KVPT), ​​the only international NGO remaining in the valley working to protect Nepal’s architectural heritage. “These people are vital to recover.”

KVPT has been working in heritage restoration in Nepal since 1991. It started working on the damaged structures in Patan Durbar Square right after the 2015 earthquake. It also provided valuable documents and advice to the Chinese team working in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

The restoration of old buildings damaged in the 2015 earthquake has been a long and slow process in Nepal. It is estimated that 90 percent of the country’s architectural heritage has been affected. With limited funding and manpower, Nepal’s Department of Antiquities was in dire need of assistance.

“Certainly, we need support from international donors,” said Damodar Gautam, director of the Department of Antiquities in Nepal. “It is estimated that $ 159 million will be needed to rehabilitate all the effects affected by the earthquake.”

“I think any help is good,” said Ranjitkar, commenting on the foreign funds used to restore Nepal’s heritage. “Because the goal is to save the heritage.”

According to the Department of Antiquities of Nepal, as of December 2019, four and a half years after the earthquake, 40 percent of the affected monuments have been restored.

Restoration work continued on the Basantapur complex until late March. But when Nepal came under national lockdown, all workers were temporarily laid off.

Immediately before closing, the three Golden Peaks were re-erected atop the nine-story Basantapur Tower. This indicates that restoration work was nearing completion.

A Chinese expert stayed in Kathmandu to conduct periodic safety checks at the site. The rest of the team is staying in Beijing, waiting to return to the temple city to finish restoration work once Nepal controls the epidemic. Although it is uncertain when that will be, they still hope that the project will be completed by the due date in 2022.

The nine-story Basantapur complex before the 2015 earthquake. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

The nine-story Basantapur complex before the 2015 earthquake. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

The nine-story Basantapur Complex after the 2015 earthquake. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

The nine-story Basantapur Complex after the 2015 earthquake. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

Basantapur Complex, nine-story complex as of August 2020. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

Basantapur Complex, nine-story complex as of August 2020. / Courtesy of the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage

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