Chinanews, Xi’an, October 8 – Overexploitation of groundwater in Xi’an is sinking the city and destroying Dayan (Wild Goose) Pagoda, the famous cultural relic from the Tang Dynasty.

 

Groundwater has long been Xi’an’s major water source, and problems arising from overexploitation that could be dated back to the 16th century can not be overlooked any more. Xi’an is sinking at an average speed of 80 mm to 120 mm every year (some parts have sunk as many as 2.6 meters), not to mention the fissures threatening the city.

 

The sinking ground has caused Dayan Pagoda to incline to the northwest. In 1996, the inclination of the structure made a record of 1,010 mm, and it has taken nearly 10 years’ effort to stop it from further development; however nothing could be done to put the pagoda straight again.