A 600-year-old ancient city gate tower built during Ming dynasty in southwest China was today destroyed in a fire.
The Gongchen Tower was destroyed after fire broke out in Nanzhao Township, Weishan County of Yunnan Province this morning. It was put out two hours later, local authorities said.
No casualties were reported in the fire but the tower, built in 1390 during China's Ming dynasty, was burnt down with few scorched wooden structures left, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The tower, 26 metres long, 15.7 metres wide and 16 metre high, is listed as a key cultural protection site in Yunnan province.
