The State Council crowned three more buildings in Shanghai -- Longhua Pagoda, Moller Residence and Park Hotel -- as key national cultural heritage sites, Xinhua news agency reported today. They are included in the sixth list of national cultural heritage sites that was published last week.

Located in the city's southwestern Longhua Temple, Longhua Pagoda dates back to 977, at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty. It is one of the oldest pagodas in South China. The seven-story pagoda is 44 meters high, square in shape and is made of brick and wood.

Now serving as Hengshan Moller Villa Hotel, the unique Norwegian-style home used to be the private residence of Nils Moller, a British merchantman in the horseracing business in Shanghai. The house was built in 1936, boasting steeples, uneven walls and upward eaves.

Shanghai Park Hotel, built in 1934, was the highest architectural structure at that time in the city. Designed by Hungarian architect Laslo Vodac, it is well-known for its elegant facade and luxurious interior. Later renovations resurrected an Art Deco style in the building.

The State Council announced 1,080 countrywide cultural heritage sites in its sixth list, including 220 ancient remains, 77 ancient graves sites, 513 historical architectural works, 63 caves and carved stones and 206 contemporary buildings.

The previous lists consisted of 1,279 sites, among which 16 are in Shanghai, including the collection of architectural pieces at the Bund, Yu Garden, the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching-ling and the grave of Lu Xun.

(Shanghai Daily June 2, 2006)