"Cultural relics" refer to historical and/or cultural relics that survive within society or are buried under the ground. According to the applied provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics, the following cultural relics within the boundaries of the People's Republic of China fall under State protection:

(1) Sites of ancient culture, ancient tombs, ancient architectural structures, cave temples, stone carvings and mural paintings that are of historical, artistic or scientific value;

(2) the modern or contemporary important historical sites, buildings, memorial objects or typical buildings related to major historical events, revolutionary movements, famous people that are highly memorable or are of great significance for education or for the preservation of historical data;

(3) valuable works of art and handicraft articles dating from various historical periods;

(4) important documents as well as manuscripts, books and materials, etc., that are of historical, artistic or scientific value dating from various historical periods, and

(5) typical material objects reflecting the social system, social production or social life of various nationalities in different historical periods.